“The Los Angeles Youth Orchestra contributes to our communities and advances the future of culture by developing and nurturing a passion for music in young musicians that lasts a lifetime through the study and performance of classical and contemporary music.
In 2010, the Los Angeles Youth Orchestra spearheaded the idea of a Youth Orchestra Day and coordinated the event with three other youth orchestras: the Pasadena Young Musicians Orchestra led by Jo Stoup, the Olympia Youth Orchestra conducted by Fung Ho, and the Verdugo Youth Orchestra conducted by Samvel Chilingarian. The concert with four youth orchestras was held February 28, 2010 at Pasadena City College.
Each orchestra played a short selection of works. In between each orchestra performance were panels to discuss different dimensions of youth orchestras – a panel of conductors, a panel of students, and a panel of coaches. The grand finale of the concert was the world premiere performance of Russell Steinberg’s The Net of Indra with all four orchestras (about 350 players) – brass in the upper balcony, violins and violas up and down the aisles in the audience, woodwinds in the pit, and percussion, cellos, and double basses on stage. Both the Los Angeles City Council and the Pasadena City Council issued proclamations declaring February 28, 2010 “Youth Orchestra Day.”