Pasadena Youth Symphony Orchestra Performs Winter Concert

On Dec. 5, the Pasadena Youth Symphony Orchestra (PYSO) — an award-winning ensemble of middle school-age musicians from throughout Southern California sponsored by The Pasadena Symphony — will present a free evening of music. Music Director Jack Taylor has included in the program a work that has long thrilled audiences of all ages: Tchaikovsky’s “1812 Overture.”

“We’re so excited because the composer and pianist Alan Steinberger has agreed to provide cannon fire for us,” says orchestra manager Jean Severson.

Young musicians performing that evening include La Crescenta musicians Sarah Biagini on violin and James Ossiff on viola; Jonwei Hwang, violin; Philip Cho, cello, of La Cañada; and Glendale residents Sevana Baghdasarian, violin and Eric Kim, cello.

Also on the Winter Concert program, which will take place at 7:30 p.m. at the Pasadena High School Auditorium, are well known works by Brahms and Haydn. In addition, the audience will have a chance to kick off their celebration of the holiday season while enjoying the Prelude Strings ensemble’s performance of such works as “A Celtic Christmas” and “Santa at the Symphony.”

Admission is free to the Winter Concert, thanks to the generosity of Old Towne Music in Pasadena and Olivia Garfield and Michael Newkirk. The Pasadena High School Auditorium is located at 2925 E. Sierra Madre Blvd. in Pasadena.

For more information about PYSO, call

626.793.7172, ext 23 or visit www.pasadenapyso.org.