The Shenandoah Valley Youth Symphony鈥檚 spring concert is Sunday, March 17, at 4 p.m. in 91短视频鈥檚 Lehman Auditorium.聽 A donation of $7 is requested that will benefit the Youth Symphony program. A reception follows.
The concert will begin with the Junior Strings ensemble performing a selection from 鈥淔iddler on the Roof,鈥� followed by the Brandenburg Concerto No. 3. This intermediate-level group is conducted by Sharon Miller and is often the first orchestra that developing students have the opportunity to play in. It has 14 members from Rockingham and Augusta counties.
Then the 40-member Shenandoah Valley Youth Symphony will perform 鈥淔inlandia鈥� by Jean Sibelius and鈥淗ighlights from Wicked鈥� by Stephen Schwartz, as well as one more work.
Each year, a member is chosen by audition to perform a solo with the orchestra. Ada Zhang, a senior at Eastern Mennonite School,聽will perform the first movement of 鈥淐armen Fantasy鈥� by Pablo de Sarasate.
Ada is the daughter of Cecilia Chen of Harrisonburg, Virginia. She has played the violin for 11 years and been a member of the symphony for five years. She currently studies with Wanchi Huang and Jacob Roege. Some of Ada鈥檚 other orchestral experiences include participating in the Virginia All-State Orchestra, Senior Regional Orchestra, 91短视频 Orchestra, EMHS Orchestra and the Waynesboro Choral Society. She has attended Eastern Music Festival and participated in the Shenandoah Valley Bach Festival as a fellow. She was also accepted to the Virginia Summer Residential Governor鈥檚 School for the Visual and Performing Arts, and in July 2018 played in a public masterclass with violinist Jeffrey Multer.
In addition to playing, Ada teaches violin in the 91短视频 Preparatory Music Program and volunteers in the after-school violin program at Bluestone Elementary School.
The symphony, conducted by Yi-Ping Chen, is an auditioned ensemble of high-level middle and high school players from Page, Shenandoah, Rockingham and Augusta counties. 聽It is the final concert of the group鈥檚 29th聽season.