Young Artists Symphony closes its season with a notable performance

By: EDWARD SIFUENTES - Staff Writer | Saturday, June 2, 2007 11:04 PM PDT ∞

ESCONDIDO ---- At 16 years old, Harold Reeves knows how to bring a crowd to its feet.

The talented violinist and pianist played complicated pieces by composers Antonin Dvorak and Igor Stravinsky as part of the San Diego Young Artists Symphony concert, Symphonic Sounds, on Saturday at the California Center for the Arts, Escondido.

Reeves, a sophomore at Poway High School, said he's been playing the piano for eight years and the violin for seven years. He has won several honors in local and state competitions, including third place in the Music Teachers Association of California's VOCE (vocalists, orchestral instrumentalists, chamber music, ensembles).

On Saturday, Reeves described the feeling he gets moments before a concert begins.

"It's a lot of nervousness but afterwards, it's exciting," he said.

Reeves and the Young Artists Symphony received a standing ovation from about 250 people.

The symphony was established in 1995 by the late conductor Louis Campiglia to provide music students with an opportunity to study and perform challenging classical pieces, according to the organization's literature. It is a full symphonic orchestra that performs the same repertoire as that of a professional orchestra.

The more than 100 students are dedicated musicians and some have an eye on becoming professionals, said Jennifer Holson, executive director of the symphony.

"We try to hold them to the same standards that professional orchestras have," Holson said.

Fifteen-year-old cello soloist Mosa Tsay, of San Diego, said she would not mind being a professional musician.

"I've always liked performing and, even though you get nervous, it's a great feeling," she said.

The freshman at Mira Mesa High School said she began playing cello at age 7. She also has won numerous awards, including first place in the instrumental division of the Northern San Diego Branch Junior Bach Festival.

Saturday's concert was the last in the symphony's 2007 season, which began in January and included four other performances in churches throughout the county. Saturday's concert at the center was a fitting finish, Holson said.

"We've been trying to get them to play in concert halls," which have the appropriate acoustics for the music, Holson said. "They have been playing in churches, and they've outgrown churches."

To learn more about the San Diego Young Artists Symphony, visit www.sdyaso.org.

Contact staff writer Edward Sifuentes at (760) 740-3511 or esifuentes@nctimes.com.