Pasadena Young Musicians Orchestra Presents Spring Concert for Mothers Day

PASADENA, Calif. Those who normally give their mothers flowers for Mother´s Day may want to consider doing something slightly different this year – surprising their mother with what Jo Stoup, Music Director of the Pasadena Young Musicians Orchestra (PYMO) calls "a bouquet of music" by treating Mom to a performance of "A Spring Concert." Held on Sunday, May 10, at 3:30 p.m. at Sexson Auditorium at Pasadena Community College, this special Mother´s Day program will include Symphony No. 2 by Alexander Borodin, Arcangelo Corelli´s Concerto Grosso No. 1 and Danzon by renowned Mexican composer Arturo Marquez. The orchestra´s brass and percussion ensembles will perform as well.

Several members of PYMO – an ensemble of over 100 talented high school and junior college musicians from throughout Southern California, from El Segundo to South Pasadena – will appear as soloists. Concertmaster Emily Fuang and Denny Choi, principal second violinist, will play the violin solos while principal cellist Brandon Ly will be showcased on cello when the orchestra presents Concerto Grosso No. 1.

"All of our members are very gifted musicians," says Stoup, a professional flutist who also directs the PCC Orchestra as a member of the college´s music faculty. "We try, at each concert, to shine the spotlight on a few of them so our audience can better appreciate just how talented they are. It´s a wonderful learning experience, too, for a young musician to appear as a soloist."

Stoup is also looking forward to introducing patrons to one of composer Franz Liszt´s favorite works. "The Borodin Second Symphony is a delightful work," she explains. "Franz Liszt loved this piece, claiming it was entirely original and unlike anything that had come before. One hundred and thirty five years later, I think this still holds up."

As for Marquez´s Danzon, Stoup fully expects some toes to be tapping as well as hands applauding. "People may even dance in the aisles," she says with a smile.

Just as the best gifts are often surprises, PYMO is hard at work planning a few Mother´s Day surprises of its own to tuck into its ´spring bouquet´ of music. "We´re deliberately not revealing much information about the brass and percussion ensembles´ upcoming performance," Stoup says. "But what I can tell you is that they´re always a crowd pleaser."

Other treats are in store as well. "We´ll honor all our wonderful mothers who attend ´A Spring Concert," promises Lisa Gladstone, President of PYMO´s Board of Directors. "It´ll be a Mother´s Day that Mom – and the rest of the family – will never forget."

Tickets for "A Spring Concert" 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.

Pasadena City College is located at 1570 East Colorado Blvd in Pasadena, with parking available at any PCC student lot for $2. For more information, call (626) 403-1086 or visit the orchestra´s website, www.pymo.org.

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.