The San Bernardino Symphony will play host to a day-long music workshop for middle and high school string students Saturday, April 20 from 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Sturges Center for the Fine Arts, 780 E. Street, San Bernardino.
This special event is the most recent example of the Symphony’s on-going commitment to music education for local youth. “We are thrilled to be able to provide this workshop which further enhances a suite of educational programs already in place,” said Symphony Executive Director Valerie Peister.
Those current offerings include the Symphony Guild’s Music in the Schools program and the Symphony’s Musicians in the Schools program presented throughout the year at no charge to San Bernardino public school elementary students. The Symphony also offers educational lectures before most concerts providing attendees of all ages with both historical information about, and musical insight into, pieces to be played.
The April 20 strings workshop is the first in what Peister hopes will be a long line of educational opportunities targeted to emerging musicians. “The focus of the Symphony has evolved past simply providing beautiful music to traditional concert attendees,” said Peister. “We have a cultural imperative to support the young musicians who will comprise future orchestras and audiences. Music education and the importance of inspiring young people to get involved musically plays a big part in our organization’s mission.”
Dan Reed, Program Specialist with the Visual and Performing Arts Department of the San Bernardino City Unified School District, agrees. “The district and community have been and continue to be committed to our children from cradle to career and beyond. At this time in our history it is even more imperative that we give each child an education that leads to their personal success. We have long known, and research shows, that training in music, and the arts in general, are at the core of a well-rounded education that engenders this success,” said Reed.
The workshop will include two break-out sessions where participants will have the opportunity to work with professional San Bernardino Symphony musicians, as well as a keynote presentation by internationally acclaimed violinist Lindsay Deutsch. Hailed by the L.A. Times as having “…the technical equipment and temperament for a big career…” the 27-year-old Deutsch brings a fresh perspective to classical performance that is sure to resonate with young musicians.
A special performance by Symphonie Jeunesse youth string orchestra will round out the day. Founded and directed by noted concert cellist Michele Tacchia, attendees will thrill to the expertise demonstrated by the serious and talented middle and high school students involved in this outstanding string ensemble. “Members of Symphonie Jeunesse join me in thanking the San Bernardino Symphony for providing such a wonderful opportunity for our music students,” said Tacchia. “We are very excited to have been asked to participate and are looking forward to it.”
Added Reed, “This workshop is yet another example of the long running, positive relationship between the San Bernardino City Unified School District and the San Bernardino Symphony. In all that they do -including their generosity in giving free tickets to performances to our students and family members, the San Bernardino Symphony is the acme of a community and school district partnership. Providing up-close-and-personal contact with professional musicians the caliber of Lindsay Deutsch and members of the San Bernardino Symphony, our students continue to benefit in so many ways. It isn’t just the improvement in their skill level, but also their broader and deeper understanding of the music and its historical and cultural context as well.”
The San Bernardino Symphony is grateful for a grant provided by Southern California Edison—an Edison International Company, and sponsorship from law firm Fullerton, Lemann, Schaefer & Dominick, LLP, both of which have made the Symphony Strings Workshop possible. The Symphony is also grateful for assistance in event coordination provided by the San Bernardino Valley Concert Association.
Registrations for Symphony Strings for Secondary Students will be accepted on a first come, first serve basis through Wednesday, April 17th. There is no fee to participate in the workshop and lunch will be provided to all attendees.
Those interested in registering or learning more about this important educational event should contact the San Bernardino Symphony at (909) 381-5388. Additional information about the San Bernardino Symphony and their up-coming programs may be obtained by visiting www.sanbernardinosymhony.org.