Pasadena Young Musicians Orchestra in concert Nov. 20

According to the old French proverb, “Where there is music, there can be love.” And Jo Stoup, Music Director of the Pasadena Young Musicians Orchestra (PYMO), hopes that this will indeed be the case when members of the community attend PYMO’s upcoming fall concert, “The French Connection,” which will take place on November 20 at 3:30 p.m. at Sexson Auditorium on the campus of Pasadena Community College.



“A large part of PYMO’s mission is to share what the legendary conductor and composer Leonard Bernstein described as ‘the joy of music’ with younger members of our community – whether they’re members of our orchestra or our audience,” Stoup explains. “For ‘The French Connection’ we’ve programmed an array of works that are so exciting, so lovely that, no matter what your age, you can’t help but ‘connect’ to them.”



Works Stoup has selected include two with an obvious ‘French connection’ – An American in Paris by George Gershwin and Rapsodie Espagnole by French composer Maurice Ravel – as well as excerpts from a piece with a connection to France’s neighbor, Spain, La Boda de Luis Alonso, a zarzuela by Geronimo Gimenez. Also, PYMO member Steven Salazar, a senior at LA County High School for the Arts, will appear as soloist in Concerto for Bassoon by Carl Maria von Weber.



“It's very exciting to have a bassoon soloist because it's such an unusual instrument to feature as a solo instrument,” says Stoup. “Often, as we’ve rehearsed the Bassoon Concerto, I recall how Debussy, who was a huge admirer of von Weber, claimed that von Weber scrutinized the soul of each instrument. Steven is an exceptional student who will live up to Debussy’s assessment and bring out the soul of the bassoon beautifully.”



“The French Connection” will be PYMO’s first concert of the 2011-2012 season. But the orchestra, adds Stoup, has already started off on a “very positive note.”



“We’ve once again been selected to take part in the Los Angeles Philharmonic’s Youth Orchestra Mentorship Program,” Stoup explains. “It’s a wonderful opportunity for PYMO as an organization. But more than that it’s an invaluable gift for our musicians. Throughout the year, they’ll have many chances to work with and learn from the Phil’s teaching artist faculty – whether it’s through personal mentoring on musicianship, attending a master class, or sitting in on an LA Phil rehearsal.”



Tickets for “The French Connection” may be purchased at the door for the suggested donation price of $7 for adults and $5 for students and seniors. For more information about PYMO or its upcoming performances, call (626) 403-1086 or visit the orchestra’s website, www.pymo.org.



Pasadena City College is located at 1570 East Colorado Blvd in Pasadena, with parking available at any PCC student lot for $2.