Echoes of the Northern Lights | February 21, 2026 | 7:30 PM | First Church Berkeley | Berkeley, CA
The Young People’s Symphony Orchestra, California’s oldest independent youth orchestra, presents its Winter Concert, Echoes of the Northern Lights, on Saturday, Feb. 21, 2026, at 7:30 PM at First Church Berkeley. The concert marks the second performance of YPSO’s 2025–2026 subscription series and features music inspired by Nordic landscapes, Romantic lyricism, and virtuosic brilliance.
At the center of the program is Jean Sibelius’s Symphony No. 1, a powerful early work that reflects the composer’s distinctive voice and serves as a musical prelude to YPSO’s upcoming Summer 2026 tour to Finland and Sweden. The concert opens with William Grant Still’s Threnody: In Memory of Jan Sibelius, a rare and poignant tribute connecting American and Nordic musical traditions.
The evening also features two winners of YPSO’s annual Concerto Competition:
- Emma You, violin, performing the first movement of Max Bruch’s Violin Concerto No. 1
- Catherine Shin, violin, performing Zigeunerweisen by Pablo de Sarasate
“I was drawn to the Bruch concerto for its rich colors and expressive depth,” said Emma You. “It taught me how much musical variety and phrasing can be explored within a single work.”
Catherine Shin shared her excitement about Sarasate’s showpiece: “Zigeunerweisen weaves sorrowful moments with fiery passages. I’m excited to share its intensity and color with the audience—and to experience the thrill of performing it with the orchestra.”
Program
- William Grant Still: Threnody: In Memory of Jan Sibelius
- Max Bruch: Violin Concerto No. 1, Movement I (Emma You, violin)
- Pablo de Sarasate: Zigeunerweisen (Catherine Shin, violin)
- Jean Sibelius: Symphony No. 1
Tickets & Information:
$20 General | Students Free (must register online)
Box Office & Concert Info HERE
About YPSO and Maestro David Ramadanoff
Now in its 89th season, YPSO brings together 86 young musicians, ages 11–18, from across the Bay Area. Music Director David Ramadanoff has led YPSO for over three decades, inspiring generations of musicians. A native of Cleveland, Ohio, he studied at the Cleveland Institute of Music and The Juilliard School before serving as Assistant Conductor of the San Francisco Symphony under Seiji Ozawa. Maestro Ramadanoff selects programs that highlight diverse eras and composers while fostering each student’s musical growth.
Founded in 1936 in Berkeley, YPSO is California’s oldest youth orchestra and the first independent youth orchestra in the nation. Its mission is to “encourage young people to become exemplary musicians and young musicians to become exemplary people.” YPSO presents four regular concerts per season and engages with the community through programs such as Bread & Roses and the Bay Area Music Project, bringing music to new audiences and fostering civic responsibility. The orchestra is supported by community organizations, foundations, donors, and the dedication of students, families, and volunteers.
Open Rehearsal & Accessibility
YPSO invites the public to attend an Open Rehearsal during the final dress rehearsal the day before each concert. Drop in to see the orchestra in action and experience young musicians preparing for performance. Open to prospective families, relatives unable to attend the concert, and teachers with students interested in joining YPSO.
Register here: tinyurl.com/ypso-open-reh
YPSO is committed to accessibility for all. Concert venues, lobbies, and reception areas are fully accessible. Free student tickets are available with valid ID; reserve online at www.ypsomusic.org/events.