Saratoga News

Photograph by Robert Scheer

Amy Lee, 17, of Saratoga, practices 'Don Juan' on her cello in a clearing in the woods.

Play Time

Local students vie for seating position in Youth Symphony

By Michelle Alaimo

The strains of "Don Juan" by Richard Strauss radiate through Redwood Glen Camp's serene setting, nestled in the hills of Loma Mar above Pescadero. Individual practice has begun for 115 high school-aged musicians who practice more than seven hours a day in a whirlwind eight-day summer symphony camp. This year's camp took place last week.

The musicians, 16 of whom are from the Saratoga-Los Gatos area, are part of the California Youth Symphony, which has made the annual trek for more than 40 years to get away from all the distractions of city life. The musicians practice a different piece each day, and each piece will be performed in one of the group's upcoming concerts.

"We want to learn the music as fast and efficiently as possible," Paul Jhun, 16, a cello player from Los Gatos, said.

Amy Lee, a cello player from Saratoga, said it's important to come to the camp and practice, or else a musician can fall behind. She added that everyone comes to camp only to play music, so they all practice a lot.

"You kind of have to practice, or you get left in the dust," said Benjamin Chen, a viola player from Saratoga.

The music is very challenging, Saratoga flutist Clement Kiew said. Many of the pieces are used as audition pieces to get into a professional symphony, Kiew added.

The campers have a rigorous schedule they must follow. After an 8 a.m. breakfast, the musicians clean up their cabins and do some aerobic exercises.

At 9:30, the musicians begin their first two hours of the seven hours they will practice that day. The musicians gather in groups based on what instruments they play. After lunch, the students have one hour of individual practice, scouting out their own locations to play in the peaceful setting of the camp.

"It's scary because other people can hear you," Chen said. "It's revealing." The musicians are anticipating the end of the week, when conductor Leo Eylar will hold auditions for the principals of each section and tell each person which rank they will have in the orchestra. The principal is the most sought-after position because that person will be the section leader for the next year and usually gets the most solos, said Margrit Rinderknecht, a board member for the California Youth Symphony.

The musicians follow their individual practice with two hours of combined sectionals practice. The students then enjoy a three-hour recreation period, during which they participate in a variety of activities such as pingpong, swimming, basketball or just napping.

"The way they organized this camp is cool because they put the breaks right where we need them," Jhun said.

After relaxing, the entire orchestra gathers together to rehearse the day's selected piece for two hours. Jhun said he really enjoys the way the camp is put together. "It's like a cram session."

The rehearsal session is followed by two hours of group activity organized by camp counselors. Activities include campfires and square dancing. The musicians must be in bed at 11:15 p.m. to get enough rest before the next day's flurry of activities begins again.

The camp, established in the early 1950s, is required of all those who are selected to perform in the California Youth Symphony. Since the music performed at camp is difficult, the musicians need the extra time that camp gives them to brush up before the concert season begins. The nonprofit organization charges $415 for the one-week camp, which includes all food and activities.

Cellist Lee said that even though the camp is challenging, it's worth it. "It's healthy competition, and it makes me strive more to be better."

[ Back to Contents Page | Saratoga News Home Page | Archives ]