Soyeong Park, a violin player from West Windsor, has been selected for the National Youth Orchestra. Created by Carnegie Hall’s Weill Music Institute, the program recognizes young musicians ages 16 to 19 from across the country. The 114 students hailing from 37 states were chosen after a comprehensive audition process.
The orchestra performs nine concerts in the U.S. and abroad from July 10 to 26. The concert program to be performed at all tour venues will include the premiere of a new work from Chinese composer Tan Dun, commissioned by Carnegie Hall especially for orchestra, as well as Beethoven’s Piano Concerto No. 5 (“Emperor”), and Berlioz’s Symphonie Fantastique.
“We are thrilled to bring together this extraordinary group of young musicians, challenging them to not only perform at the highest levels, but also to act as great musical ambassadors for their country,” said Clive Gillinson, Carnegie Hall’s executive and artistic director. “The orchestra’s first tour to China will be an amazing opportunity for musical and cultural discovery, and I am confident that these talented, dedicated musicians will inspire audiences with their music-making and return home with new knowledge and enthusiasm to share with their peers.”
The players attend an intensive two-week training residency at Purchase College, State University of New York, working with principal players from some of the country’s finest professional orchestras in June. The faculty will oversee rehearsals during the orchestra’s residency and will conduct master classes, chamber music readings, and other seminars on essential music skills, all leading up to the launch of the China tour.
The tour will kick off at the Performing Arts Center in Purchase on Friday, July 10. The performance at Carnegie Hall in New York City on Saturday, July 11, may be heard worldwide via the Carnegie Hall live broadcast and digital series, distributed nationally by WFMT Radio Network.
Performances follow at the National Center for the Performing Arts in Beijing (July 15); Shanghai Oriental Art Center (July 17); Suzhou Cultural and Arts Centre (July 19); Xi’an Concert Hall (July 21); Shenzhen Concert Hall (July 23); Xinghai Concert Hall in Guangzhou (July 24); and culminating at the Hong Kong Cultural Center (July 26).
Touring activities will allow the musicians to share their artistry with Chinese audiences while experiencing the richness of China’s culture and history. The orchestra’s visit has been designated as one of only four Cultural Pillars of the Consultation on People to People Exchange between the USA and China.
