South Coast Youth Symphony Orchestra

SCYSO Amazes Walt Disney Concert Hall

Charles Kyungchan Min | July 2, 2012 | Article from The Korean Daily

As the conductor guided his baton to signal the conclusion of Dvorak’s “New World Symphony,” the last note was immediately engulfed by the audience’s thunderous applause that filled the hall. On June 22, the South Coast Youth Symphony Orchestra (SCYSO) performed its final concert at the world renowned Walt Disney Concert Hall.

SCYSO was founded in 2001 and is currently recognized as one of the leading youth orchestras, comprising of middle school and high school students from all across Southern California. Under the guidance of conductor Maestro Rocky Lee, SCYSO has received accolades in the United States and abroad. SCYSO has represented the country on four international concert tours, performing in the Czech Republic, Austria, Italy, Spain, and England. The orchestra will perform its fifth international concert tour in France and Germany during the summer of 2013.

The orchestra further distinguishes itself by having rehearsals at four separate locations (Mission Viejo, Pomona/Chino Hills, Cerritos, and Rosemead), allowing the ensemble to attract and accommodate some of the most talented musicians across the different regions in Southern California. Every month, all 167 members of the orchestra meet together for a full orchestra workshop.

Performing at the Walt Disney Concert Hall was truly an once-in-a-lifetime experience for many. “This was absolutely incredible,” said Edmund Rheu, sophomore clarinetist from Mission Viejo. “During our dress rehearsal, I don’t think that I focused at all because I was admiring the hall. I couldn’t believe that I was using the same chairs and stands that the Los Angeles Philharmonic uses!”

Opening with Antonio Vivaldi’s “Concerto for 4 Violins” and Frank Ticheli’s “Vesuvius,” the orchestra finished the first half of the concert with Alexander Borodin’s “Polovtsian Dances.” Following the intermission, SCYSO performed Johan Halvorsen’s “March of the Boyars” and concluded with Antonin Dvorak’s Symphony No. 9, also known as the “New World Symphony.” At the request of the audience, SCYSO performed Johannes Brahm’s “Hungarian Dances” as an encore piece.

Maestro Lee expressed his excitement after having performed at the Disney Hall. “Throughout the season, our orchestra worked really hard to grow and develop into confident musicians, and the opportunity to perform here is a result of all our hard work,” said Maestro Lee. “This concert was merely a milestone. SCYSO will continue to challenge musicians to achieve their highest potential from every stage of their musical development.”