American Youth Symphony Gala Concert Features Sarah Chang In World Premiere

The American Youth Symphony (AYS) welcomes famed violinist Sarah Chang for the world premiere performance of composer Fil Eisler's new violin concerto. This concert, presented as part of the prestigious orchestra's 54th annual Gala celebrations, represents the inaugural event of the AYS Korngold Commission Project. The project takes its name and inspiration from Erich Wolfgang Korngold, a prolific composer in the golden age of Hollywood, whose 1945 Violin Concerto is now celebrated as a virtuoso masterwork.

Funded by AYS Board Secretary Peter Mandell and Advisory Council Member Sarah Coade Mandell, the aim of The Korngold Project is to unite great composers of film and media music with top classical soloists to create and premiere new works. Under the skilled baton of AYS Music Director Carlos Izcaray, this concert will do just that, in pairing Sarah Chang, one of the great violinists of our time, with Fil Eisler, a BMI and SXSW award-winner, best known for scoring hit television series Empire, Revenge, and the upcoming What/If, as well as films such as The Titan, Chips and the upcoming Superintelligence.

Also on the program for the 54th Gala Concert is Shostakovich's Festive Overture, which will be conducted by Jessica Bejarano, who makes her debut with AYS. Bejarano currently serves as as music director and conductor of the San Francisco Civic Symphony, and music director at San Francisco University High School where she conducts the UHS Chamber Orchestra. Recently, PBS NewsHour aired a feature story on Bejarano, and KQED named Jessica 1 of 10 "Bay Brilliant" artists for 2018.

AYS Music Director Carlos Izcaray will conduct This Midnight Hour by Anna Clyne, whose work has been described by the New York Times as "virtuosic," "inventive," and "dreamlike;" and, to complete the evening, Richard Strauss' beloved Der Rosenkavalier Suite.

This concert will be shared for free with the public as part of the American Youth Symphony's long-standing commitment to making inspiring classical performances accessible to all. The 5:00pm performance will be followed by the 54th Annual Gala Dinner at 7:30pm - both at UCLA's historic Royce Hall.

Reserve complimentary concert tickets, or join Sarah Chang, Fil Eisler, and AYS musicians and donors for the Gala Dinner to support the mission and programs of AYS. Dinner guests receive premium concert seating, and will have the opportunity to meet and greet the stars of the evening.

Reserve online at AYSymphony.org/Gala or by phone at 310.470.2332.

Heralded as "the finest youth symphony on earth," by KUSC's Jim Svejda, the American Youth Symphony has been fulfilling its mission to inspire the future of classical music for over 50 years. AYS presents exceptional, innovative concerts based on a landmark Fellowship program for young professional musicians in high school through doctoral music programs. Competitively selected, the 100-piece orchestra represents extraordinary talent from all over the world. AYS concerts are shared for free or significantly reduced admission, out of a commitment to creating access and opportunity for everyone to experience the power and inspiration of this beautiful art form. Learn more at: aysymphony.org

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