Welcome to the 2022-23 PSYE Concert Season!
It is with immense pride and pleasure that we welcome you to our 2022-23 Pacific Symphony Youth Ensembles concert season!
This is an exciting season of firsts as we celebrate the arrival of our newest PSYE family member, Pacific Symphony Youth Concert Band (PSYCB). Made possible by the generous support and advocacy of Hans and Valerie Imhof, and John and Elizabeth Stahr, this newest youth ensemble is led by renowned music educator and conductor Angela Woo, who leads the ensemble in their auspicious premiere performance on November 20 at 1 p.m. in a program that includes works of Ticheli, Balmages, and Meyer.
Additionally, it is a joy to welcome Dr. Johanna Gamboa-Kroesen as Pacific Symphony Santiago Strings (PSSS) music director, taking the reins from founding PSSS Music Director Irene Kroesen. Dr. Gamboa-Kroesen will lead PSSS in their exciting season opener on November 20 at 7 p.m., in a program including works of Glinka, Schubert, and Nishimura.
Not to be outshone, our Pacific Symphony Youth Orchestra (PSYO) and Pacific Symphony Youth Wind Ensemble (PSYWE), under the exceptional leadership of Dr. Jacob Sustaita and Dr. Gregory X. Whitmore, will explore the musical heights in their upcoming season openers, including PSYO’s brilliant essay of major works of Verdi, Mascagni, and Mahler on November 14 at 7 p.m., and PSYWE’s noble and inspiring exploration of works of Holst, Maslanka, Perrine, Grant, and Sousa on November 21 at 7 p.m.
Looking ahead, we anticipate a rich and varied season of PSYE concert experiences in 2022-23, including celebrated guest artists, resident composers, and a world premier commission by renowned composer Derrick Skye, and we invite you to join us in these exciting musical adventures!
It is through the artistic vision and leadership of Pacific Symphony Music Director Carl St.Clair (PSYE Artistic Advisor and Guardian Angel), the support and advocacy of our PSYE and Pacific Symphony Boards of Directors, the extraordinary support of our many generous donors, and the inspiring involvement of our SoCal community of friends, family members and music lovers like you that make this program possible.
Thank you so much, and please enjoy the music!
Shawne Natalia Zarubica
Managing Director, Pacific Symphony Youth Ensembles
“I loved being part of a group where all my peers were equally dedicated and interested in producing music, and I appreciated how seriously Dr. Whitmore considered our work. He held us to the same standard as professional ensembles, which encouraged us to perfect our skills at home and focus on the musicality of the piece during rehearsals.”
Ashley Lee, PSYWE flutist, now studying Human Biology, Music, and East Asian Studies at Stanford University
