Junior Philharmonic to Play Concert for Students

The Junior Philharmonic Orchestra of California, which recently celebrated its 62nd anniversay under the direction of founder Ernst Katz, will host a concert today for students at the Los Angeles Unified School District.

Billed as its Second Annual Community Benefit Concert, the orchestra hopes to expose the students to inspiring music, Katz said.

“My dream is to give youth a chance to be heard,” said Katz, who started the orchestra in 1937 and has funded it since then, never accepting outside support for the orchestra’s needs. The 125-member orchestra is made up of players ages 12 to 25, said concertmaster Gary Greene.

At least 13 buses will transport youngsters from several schools in Los Angeles, and it is expected that about 75% of the audience will be made up of students, Greene said.

The concert will be given at 7 p.m. at the Wilshire United Methodist Church at 4350 Wilshire Blvd. currently the Junior Orchestra’s home. The Rev. Earl Thompson, the church’s pastor, said he was pleased to provide a home for the orchestra as a way to fill the void for musical education left by funding cutbacks.

The public is invited, and admission is free, Greene said.