by Jeremy Couso
It was a monumental undertaking… two amazing concerts, heard by hundreds of local elementary school students who made the trip to the Assembly of God Church on Friday morning to see the Youth Concert Orchestra of the Reno Philharmonic.
Thanks to coordination with the County Office of Education kids from schools all over the valley were treated to a fantastic showcase of music which ranged from the 1923 Ralph Vaughan Williams’ work English Folk Song Suite, to a modern theme from the video game World of Warcraft.
Staging the two concerts required a tremendous effort by The Susanville Music Academy and Symphony Society, the Lassen County Office of Education, the Assembly of God Church and the Reno Philharmonic.
“If you guys see me crying today it’s not because I’m sad,” says Symphony Executive Director Dana Hirsche, “those are tears of joy because this is truly a dream come true.”
The Reno Philharmonic’s Youth Concert Orchestra, conducted by Dr. Jason Altieri who also conducts the UNR Orchestra, is one of the preparatory ensembles geared towards developing the skills for young musicians to mature into members of the Youth Orchestra or the Reno Phil. Performing since 1999 the group has become an esteemed ensemble and in great demand for performances in the Reno area.
Altieri is an accomplished conductor in symphonic, pops and operatic repertoire. Currently he is serving as the Principal Guest Conductor of the Atlanta Pops Orchestra in Atlanta, Georgia and is also part of the music faculty of the University of Nevada in Reno.
Many of these gifted musical students travel more than 100 miles each week to attend rehearsals and training.
For a lot more pictures from the Friday performances click here and see the complete gallery at SusanvilleSnapshots.com
For a lot more pictures from the Friday performances click here and see the complete gallery at SusanvilleSnapshots.com
