Andy Demsky, father of a Napa Valley Youth Symphony musician, reports in the Napa Valley Register about the 40-strong band's tour of New York City last month:
They participated in a young composers workshop offered by the New York Philharmonic, performed at the Band Shell in Central Park, sat in on a closed rehearsal with the New York Philharmonic in Avery Fisher Hall, and finally performed at Carnegie Hall. The performances were in combination with members of the Modesto Symphony Youth Orchestra under the baton of outgoing NVYS artistic director Ryan Murray.While the performance at the legendary hall was a rare opportunity for all the musicians, it was especially so for Raja Orr, 19, of Napa as the Youth Symphony not only performed his original orchestral work, Colors of Spring, but Orr was invited to conduct the piece himself.
Wedged in between these extraordinary musical experiences, the Napa group that ranges in age from 13 to 19 enjoyed sightseeing at New York landmarks, including the Statue of Liberty, the top of the Empire State Building, Musem of Modern Art and Chelsea’s High Line, as well as a dinner cruise, and seeing the Broadway production of Aladdin, and much more.
“I think we did everything but tap dance across the Brooklyn Bridge,” said Shelley Surh, executive director of the Youth Symphony. “Our mission is to give our students musical experiences they can’t get anywhere else, and it was thrilling to deliver on that promise.”
Napa Valley Youth Symphony, which draws musicians from throughout the North Bay, is an award-winning youth orchestra, performing seasonal, full-length concerts and touring both nationally and internationally. Two years ago, the orchestra toured Central Europe.