The Young People’s Symphony Orchestra (YPSO) is excited to announce its upcoming Winter Concert on Feb. 8, 2025, at 7:30 p.m. at First Church Berkeley. This concert is part of their 88th season as an orchestra and their 36th season under the leadership of Maestro David Ramadanoff.
The orchestra comprises 80 young musicians, ages 11 to 18, from cities spanning the Bay Area, from Napa in the north to Fremont in the south. (One of them, Ariel Pawlik-Zwiebel, who will be playing the Sibelius Violin Concerto at this concert, is a member of Highlander Robotics and a senior at Campolindo High School.)
The evening will open with “Marine Safari” and “Whale Watch”, which is part of the Monterey Suite by YPSO Composer-in-Residence Jeremy Cavaterra. Inspired by the breathtaking beauty of California’s coastline, this piece encapsulates the vibrant marine life of the region. Originally commissioned by Ramadanoff for Master Sinfonia in 2014, it offers a rich sonic palette, spotlighting YPSO’s percussion section and creating an immersive and evocative musical experience.
The program continues with a performance by Pawlik-Zwiebel, one of YPSO’s three Concerto Competition winners in the 24-25 season. Ariel will perform the first movement of Sibelius’s Violin Concerto in D Minor, a piece that demonstrates both technical and emotional expression. According to music critic Michael Steinberg, “In no violin concerto is the soloist’s first note — delicately dissonant and off the beat — more beautiful”. YPSO’s annual Concerto Competition celebrates talent within its ranks, providing a platform for soloists to collaborate alongside the entire orchestra.
(Two other Concerto Competition winners Donghu Kim (cello) and Carolyn Ren (violin) will be showcased during
YPSO’s Spring Concert in May.)
The concert concludes with Dvořák’s iconic Symphony No. 9, “From the New World”. Composed during his time in America, Dvořák embraced American musical idioms, particularly those of American Black traditions. Reflecting on the decision to include this work, YPSO’s Music Librarian, Ed Wharton, and his fellow teaching colleagues, note that the symphony was selected not only for its rich musical value but also for its exceptional educational opportunities. Its brilliant orchestration ensures that all players are deeply engaged, “creating the epic scope of sound.” Wharton adds, “The symphony precedes film music but feels as if you’re hearing the wide-screen of the greatest of movies.”
Composer’s Workshop with Jeremy Cavaterra
YPSO will be hosting a Composer’s Workshop for its students in the same week as the Winter Concert, led by their Composer-in-Residence, Jeremy Cavaterra. This unique program provides aspiring young composers with a chance to engage directly with a professional mentor.
Participants are invited to share their works-in-progress, receive personalized feedback, and explore the creative process.
Through this initiative, YPSO nurtures creativity and empowers the next generation of composers to approach their work with confidence. The workshop highlights YPSO’s dedication to offering a comprehensive musical education that goes beyond performance to embrace composition and artistic innovation.
Open Rehearsal and Open House
As part of its tradition, YPSO offers an Open Rehearsal on dress rehearsal night prior to the concert — Friday, Feb. 7, from drop in between 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. This event is open to prospective families, relatives of students who cannot attend the concert day, and teachers with young musicians interested in joining. It provides an opportunity to see the orchestra in action as they prepare for the concert performance.
For this concert, the event will also serve as a formal Open House with YPSO ambassadors available to greet prospective families and answer questions about the YPSO experience, and help them sign up for 25-26 season auditions. It’s a chance for prospective students to see what YPSO and its musical community is like.
Please register here
About Accessibility
YPSO is dedicated to ensuring accessibility for all. The concert venue, lobby, and reception areas at First Church Berkeley are fully accessible.
Free student tickets are available for students age 14+ with valid ID. Reserve tickets online HERE
About YPSO
Founded in Berkeley in 1936, YPSO is the oldest youth orchestra in California and the first independent youth orchestra in the nation. The 2024-25 season is the 88th since violinist and conductor Jessica Marcelli founded YSPO at the suggestion of Clarabelle Bell, an amateur harpist and Berkeley resident, who got the idea after hearing the Portland Junior Symphony.
YPSO’s mission is to “encourage young people to become exemplary musicians and young musicians to become exemplary people”. The organization puts on four regular concerts per season. In addition, they reach out through programs such as Bread and Roses and the Bay Area Music Project to bring music into the lives of the surrounding community and encourage the civic development of its students.
As YPSO celebrates its 88th season, the organization continues to grow and thrive, supported by the Kiwanis Club of Berkeley, Berkeley Civic Arts Grant, the Alameda County Arts Commission, individual and foundation donors, and the dedication of students, families, and community members.
For additional information, contact YPSO at ypso@ypsomusic.org or visit www.ypsomusic.org.