FOLK SONGS AT THE SYMPHONY

PASADENA, Calif. Considering that they attend 32 different schools and colleges throughout Southern California, it´s probably fair to say that many of the members of the Pasadena Young Musicians Orchestra (PYMO) are used to traveling varying distances to attend weekly rehearsals in Pasadena. But on Sunday, November 22, at 3:30 p.m. , the orchestra´s musicians – as well as its audience – will have a chance to ´travel´ worldwide via music, when PYMO presents "My Land, My Music" at Sexson Auditorium on the campus of Pasadena City College (PCC).

Among the works on the program are The Three Cornered Hat by Manuel de Falla; Finlandia by Jean Sibelius; Pyotr Tchaikovsky´s The Little Russian; and Aaron Copland´s ballet score, Rodeo.

"We thought it would be fun to present works by composers who were inspired by the folk songs, rhythms and dances of their own countries," explains Music Director and conductor Jo Raquel Stoup. "Each work vividly evokes the ambiance of the place that it attempts to depict. For instance, you´ll hear Andalusian folk music in The Three Cornered Hat, folk songs from ´Little Russia´ in The Little Russian and American folk tunes in Rodeo." Finlandia, Stoup adds, may be more familiar to audiences than they realize since the film ´Die Hard 2´ concluded with the work.

PYMO will also performTzigane by Maurice Ravel, featuring PYMO violinist and concertmaster Emily Fuang. "Emily is a lovely young woman, with tremendous drive and talent," says Stoup, a professional flutist who has performed nationwide and, over the course of her career, worked under the baton of conductors ranging from Aaron Copland to Henry Mancini. "She's a hard worker and takes instruction wonderfully. As a matter of fact she seeks it out."

Tickets for "My Land, My Music" may be purchased at the door for the suggested donation price of $5 for adults and $3 for students and seniors. Children under age 12 are free.

"And the fun is only beginning," adds Stoup. "Our next concert will highlight compositions inspired by music from other countries!" That performance, which will take place on Saturday, February 27 at 8 p.m., will feature Gershwin´s Cuban Overture, Rapsodie espagnole by Ravel and Dvorak´s New World Symphony. For more information about PYMO or its upcoming performances, call (626) 403-1086 or visit the orchestra´s website, www.pymo.org.

Pasadena City College is located at 1570 East Colorado Blvd in Pasadena, with parking available at any PCC student lot for $2.

ABOUT THE PASADENA YOUNG MUSICIANS ORCHESTRA:

Founded over 50 years ago, the Pasadena Young Musicians Orchestra (PYMO) has provided musical training for gifted young instrumentalists in high school and junior college. This season, students from 32 schools throughout Southern California and from a variety of economic and ethnic backgrounds are taking part in the program. As diverse as the musicians are, however, they share one common goal: to learn how to play in a symphony orchestra.

PYMO rehearses and performs at Pasadena City College, where Music Director and conductor Jo Raquel Stoup is a member of the music faculty. All orchestra members must belong to a performance group at their school, thus making PYMO an extension of their school music program. PYMO rehearses once a week and performs three different concerts yearly in addition to its annual tour.

The mission of the Pasadena Young Musicians Orchestra is to provide excellence in music education and performance for young musicians and to enrich the cultural experiences of the community by presenting music at a high level of artistic achievement.

PYMO is operated by the PYMO Association, a non-profit organization dependent on a network of volunteers and donors, including parents, friends and area businesses. PYMO is particularly grateful for the many benefits derived from its close association with Pasadena City College, the Orchestras of Pasadena, and the many high schools in the area.