The Cupertino Courier

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Cupertino youth musicians to perform at the California Theatre in San Jose

By ERIN HUSSEY

The El Camino Youth Symphony Orchestra will open its 44th season Oct. 21 at the California Theatre in San Jose at 8 p.m. Fifteen students from Cupertino are members of the senior orchestra, including Jennifer Choi, who was selected recently as a 2006 soloist.

"Jennifer is a very dedicated and excellent member of the cello section in our symphony orchestra," ECYS executive director Cathy Spieth said.

"She is one of quite a few talented cellists, but her performance at the concerto competition was one of two that were the best cello performances."

Jennifer, a sophomore at Monta Vista High School, began playing when she was in the second grade.

"My mom thought of the idea, and I started playing," she said.

Jennifer took private lessons through elementary school and then, once in middle school, joined the school band and started performing with the youth orchestra in Irvine. When her family moved to Cupertino last year, she joined the school's chamber orchestra and auditioned for the ECYS.

"A lot of families and students are looking for something that goes beyond what they can get in their school program and that can fulfill their arts education need in a very profound way," Spieth said.

Although based in Palo Alto, ECYS draws student musicians from Cupertino, Sunnyvale, Fremont, San Francisco, Los Gatos and San Jose. The members range from elementary school children to seniors in high school.

"We have an unparalleled, amazing, talented faculty that is known on an international level, especially Dr. [Camilla] Kolchinsky, our music director," Spieth said.

"The other thing we do, in addition to having professional soloists each year, is the opportunity for youth soloists to perform."

In order to become a soloist, the young musicians must perform their desired solo piece before a panel of judges. Their performance is judged on artistic impression, accuracy, sound and how well the students understand the music. Every spring about 80 students apply, but only 20 are offered soloist positions.

"Even if they don't win, they are much stronger and more confident because they have had the experience of playing in front of a panel of judges," Spieth said.

"They really have to step up to the plate, so that makes everyone stronger and more confident and gives them experience that will help them in other aspects of their lives."

Jennifer agrees that while the audition is nerve-racking, the experience has helped her in the classroom.

"It gives you a lot more confidence," she said.

Similar to a dedicated student athlete, student musicians must balance their schedules among academics, practice and social time. For some, music serves as a release from the academic world, but for Jennifer, it is more of an extracurricular activity.

"I really like school, and I really like learning," she said.

"Sometimes I don't like the homework load, but I don't think of the cello as a release. It's more of a hobby."

In addition to the several hours Jennifer devotes to practicing her "hobby," she is also studying. "I want to become a doctor, so I am trying really hard to get good grades in math and science," she said.

That work ethic appears in a number of the other ECYS members.

"For most of them, music is one of several focal points in their lives and they have a lot of balls in the air," Spieth said.

"They are so smart and so talented and have so much family support that they can handle it. It goes back to the culture in the community to bring up well-rounded young people."

For the symphony's full calendar of performances or information on membership, visit www.ecys.org.

Local musicians

The following ECYS Senior Symphony members are residents of Cupertino:

Jennifer Choi (Cupertino High School)

Howard Kuo (Monta Vista High)

Robin Lai (Cupertino High)

Molly Laitinen (Monta Vista High)

Brian Lee (Monta Vista High)

Jaeyoung Lee (St. Francis High)

Rachel Lee (Monta Vista High)

Kyung Chan Min (Monta Vista High)

Scott Song (Monta Vista High)

Rosette Su (Monta Vista High)

Michael Wang (Monta Vista High)

Nicholas Yeung (Monta Vista High)

Emily Yi (Kennedy Middle)

Timothy Yu (Hyde Middle School)

Eric Yu (Cupertino High)