The Young People’s Symphony Orchestra (YPSO) is thrilled to present its Spring Concert on Saturday, May 17 at 7:30 p.m. at First Church Berkeley. Reserve tickets online HERE
This season, YPSO’s talented ensemble of 80 musicians, ages 11 to 18, represents cities across the Bay Area, from Napa in the north to Fremont in the south.
This concert also marks the 36th season under the leadership of Maestro David Ramadanoff, whose dedication has shaped generations of young musicians. A native of Cleveland, Ohio, Maestro Ramadanoff studied at the Cleveland Institute of Music and The Juilliard School before serving as Assistant Conductor of the San Francisco Symphony under Seiji Ozawa.
This concert also marks the kickoff of YPSO’s annual online auction fundraiser, running from May 17 – May 31, with a goal of raising $10,000 to support the orchestra’s mission of providing exceptional music education, performance opportunities, and scholarships for young musicians.
About YPSO’s Spring Concert 2025
The evening will open with Mozart’s Magic Flute Overture, a piece full of brilliant energy and theatrical flair. A favorite among musicians for its precision and technical clarity, it is often performed as a test of an orchestra’s cohesion and dynamic control. For YPSO musicians, this piece has been a particular favorite this season. Many of the students expressed excitement about working on this overture, describing it as both technically challenging and exhilarating to perform.
YPSO will then showcase the winners of its annual Concerto Competition. This competition provides a unique opportunity for students to step into the spotlight and perform as soloists with the full orchestra. This season, three outstanding musicians earned the honor, and two of them — violinist Carolyn Ren and cellist Donghu Kim — will be featured in this concert, each presenting a distinct work from the violin and cello repertoire:
Carolyn Ren (violin) will perform Wieniawski’s Violin Concerto No. 2, Op. 22, Mvt. 3—a technically dazzling piece known for its playful character and virtuosic passages. Wieniawski, both a composer and violinist, famously wrote music that pushes performers to their limits.
Reflecting on the piece, Carolyn shares, “I chose this concerto because it spoke to me through its rich melodies and intricate runs. It was dedicated to Sarasate, one of my favorite composers, which makes it even more special to me. Romantic-era music is so beautiful and worth sharing with everyone, and this concerto has such an exciting energy to it. The fast spiccato and sixteenth-note passages are thrilling to play, and I hope they keep the audience on the edge of their seats!”
Donghu Kim (cello) will perform Tchaikovsky’s Variations on a Rococo Theme, a piece influenced by the Classical-era style of Mozart, whom Tchaikovsky greatly admired. Unlike many Romantic-era cello works, Rococo Variations presents challenges that emphasize delicacy, ornamentation, and refined phrasing, rather than sheer projection and virtuosic display.
Discussing his selection, Donghu shares “I chose Rococo Variations because of its wide range of colors and emotions. The influence of Mozart makes it technically challenging, requiring a deep understanding of Classical-era style. Unlike many other cello concertos, this piece focuses on nuance and ornamentation rather than pure virtuosity.”
The concert will conclude with Rachmaninoff’s Symphonic Dances, the composer’s final orchestral work. As noted in the Boston Symphony Orchestra’s program notes, “Rachmaninoff’s last works, including Symphonic Dances, reveal tighter, clearer musical structure while still exhibiting his gifts for lush orchestration and memorable, heart-melting melodies.”
Often regarded as a challenging piece among musicians and orchestras, Symphonic Dances requires both technical precision and emotional depth. Sometimes professional ensembles may even choose to forgo performing it due to its demands. Under the leadership of Maestro David Ramadanoff, YPSO musicians are embracing the challenge with dedication and artistry, bringing this remarkable work to life.
About The Annual Concerto Competition
YPSO’s annual Concerto Competition fosters musical excellence by providing young musicians a platform to develop solo performance skills while collaborating with a full orchestra. It promotes individual artistry while emphasizing the importance of unity within an ensemble. The competition aims to inspire confidence, reward dedication, and encourage students to embrace challenges, empowering them to grow both as musicians and individuals.
About YPSO Annual Online Auction Fundraiser
Alongside this performance, YPSO will launch its annual online auction, running from May 17 – May 31, 2025. The goal is to raise $10,000 to support YPSO’s music education programs, scholarships, and outreach efforts, ensuring that high-quality orchestral training remains accessible to young musicians across the Bay Area.
The auction will feature an exciting selection of items, including concert tickets, unique local experiences, fine dining gift certificates, musical instruments, and more. Community members are encouraged to participate and bid, directly supporting YPSO’s mission while taking home fantastic offerings.
If you’re a local business or community member looking for an easy and impactful way to support young musicians while gaining recognition, we invite you to contribute an in-kind donation or sponsorship. Your generosity will be featured in our fundraiser, giving you visibility among our engaged audience of music lovers, families, and arts supporters.
The auction link will go live on May 17.
For more details, to donate an auction item, or to discuss sponsorship opportunities, please contact ypso@ypsomusic.org
Open Rehearsal
As part of its tradition, YPSO invites you to an Open Rehearsal on Friday, May 16, 2025, during the final dress rehearsal before the concert. Drop in anytime between 6:00 p.m. and 9:00 p.m. to experience the orchestra in action as they make final preparations for their performance.
This event is open to prospective families, relatives unable to attend the concert, and teachers with young musicians interested in joining YPSO.
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 with valid ID. Reserve tickets online HERE
About YPSO
Founded in Berkeley in 1936, YPSO is California’s oldest youth orchestra and the first independent youth orchestra in the nation. Now in its 88th season, YPSO was established by violinist and conductor Jessica Marcelli at the suggestion of Clarabelle Bell, an amateur harpist and Berkeley resident inspired by the Portland Junior Symphony.
YPSO’s mission is to “encourage young people to become exemplary musicians and young musicians to become exemplary people.” The orchestra presents four regular concerts per season and engages with the community through programs like Bread & Roses and the Bay Area Music Project, bringing music to new audiences and fostering civic responsibility among its students.
As YPSO celebrates its 88th season, it continues to grow, supported by the Kiwanis Club of Berkeley, the Berkeley Civic Arts Grant, the Alameda County Arts Commission, as well as individual donors, foundations, and the dedication of students, families, and community members.