Daisy Newman at YMP's final concert in August Photo by Charles Herlevic
The Young Musicians Program, originally founded within UC Berkeley's Music Department in 1968 as a summer program for youth from Berkeley and surrounding communities, eventually expanded to a year-round program, featuring individual, group, orchestral, and choral instruction. Musical instruments and all other aspects of the program were provided at no cost to the students and their families.
Eventually, YMP grew to a community-supported enterprise with a $1.44 million annual budget, 16% of which came from UC Berkeley.
Daisy C. Newman took over in 2003, and eventually long-simmering issues, along with conflicts between her, University officials, the American Federation of Teachers, and several former faculty members created a crisis atmosphere, leading to the disbanding of the program.
Asked at the Sunday Winter Gala, where the successor Young Musicians Choral Orchestra made such a hit, to talk about the performers, the settling of the dispute, and the new organization, Newman said "The choral orchestra is unique. The students sing as a chorus, and transition to instruments and play as an orchestra!" (This was not part of the Sunday performance.)
"This aural and visual miracle could only happen here and now with these students. Each time the students make the transition, their eyes sparkle with joy from making the successful trip from risers to seats and from watching the audiences’ reaction." Newman later described the program's status in an e-mail:
The mission of the Young Musicians Choral Orchestra is to identify musically gifted students who cannot afford the specialized training essential for the development of their innate abilities, and to provide them with a comprehensive music education, academic support and personal guidance on a full scholarship basis.
James Meredith
* YMCO is the successor to the Young Musicians Program, UC Berkeley (YMP). The new organization received its IRS 501 (c)(3) letter of determination on June 19, 2013.
* YMCO officially separated from UC Berkeley on October 24, 2013, with the signing of the Transition Agreement and the Affiliation Agreement.
* YMCO is now an affiliate of UC Berkeley and will return to the university for recitals and special events, at least 3 times per year.
* YMCO will also use the University’s marks (Cal and Oskie) on various promotional items and programs.
* Over the years, as YMP increased the number of students served from 50 to 95, the university also increased the number of college classes taught within the same physical space.
* YMP’s increased academic rigor caused a rise in the number of students participating in the after-school tutoring program. At the same time, the University’s music department expanded group participation in musical activities at the end of the day.
YMCO: Joaquin Muñoz, Ari Williams, Marisol DeAnda, E'Niyah Wilson, Anthony Anzora Photo by Janos Gereben
* The founding of the Choral Orchestra increased the demand for rehearsal space on the Hertz Hall stage. Concurrently, Cal performances expanded its recital series and the UCB orchestra increased the number of concerts and rehearsals, using the same space.
* In simple terms, YMCO outgrew the space. The university’s facilities could not sustain all of the entities involved.
YMCO has a bright future, ahead. It has a strong board, foundation and community support and the most gifted and talented teens in the Bay Area. YMCO’s board members are former members of the YMP Advisory Council and bring with them the institutional memory and the resources required to build a strong foundation for the new organization.
We will restore the program to its former level of achievement and go on from that point, hopefully, to a larger and more responsive organization. It is our goal to step out into the community and get to know the people we serve, on a more personal basis. Our students come from 4 counties in the Bay Area, representing over 60 different middle and high schools. We will target these areas for performance opportunities, thereby making the community our canvas for creative strokes of communication.
We will continue to work with world-class artists such as Frederica von Stade, Andre Watts, Axel Strauss, Ndugu Chancler, Patrice Rushen, and Hubert Laws.
We will continue to participate in local competitions such as those sponsored by Pacific Musical Society. The Society has been a stalwart supporter of YMCO’s outstanding vocal program, shepherded by James Meredith. Due to his outstanding efforts, YMCO vocalists have garnered full scholarships to leading conservatories in America. Also, he was voted the best teacher at YMCO (YMP) by 95 students in a recent anonymous teacher-evaluation process.
