Santa Rosa Symphony Youth Orchestra returns to in-person concerts

Santa Rosa Symphony's most advanced youth ensemble, the Santa Rosa Symphony Youth Orchestra (SRSYO), will perform a concert in the Green Music Center's Weill Hall, entitled "Back in the Saddle Again," on November 13, 2021, at 3:00 PM. The concert, conducted by Bobby Rogers, marks the orchestra's return to live, in-person music.

After a tremendously challenging year and a half, through which they continued to meet virtually on Zoom, the 54 musicians are getting “back in the saddle” to perform a full program of orchestral and chamber works from Anton Dvořák’s Eighth Symphony (first movement) to Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart’s Serenade No. 10, Gran Partita for winds. The program affords the opportunity to feature each section of the orchestra, with one chamber piece each for strings, woodwinds and brass/percussion.

• MICHAEL MURRIN: Fanfare Fuel of the Soul
• AARON COPLAND: An Outdoor Overture
• BENJAMIN BRITTEN: Simple Symphony
• W.A. MOZART: Serenade No. 10, Gran Partita, "Tema con variazioni" and "Rondo"
• ALEXANDER BORODIN: Polovtsian Dances from Prince Igor
• ANTONIN DVOŘÁK: Symphony No. 8, movement I
• BEDRICH SMETANA: Dance of the Comedians from The Bartered Bride

The Fanfare Fuel of the Soul, composed by SRSYO alumnus and Santa Rosa resident, Michael Murrin, will receive its long-awaited, in-person premiere, which had been originally scheduled for May 2020, when it received its virtual premiere.

Murrin said, of its hoped-for premiere in May 2020, "With my new composition, Fuel of the Soul, I wanted to write a piece which celebrates the success that the Santa Rosa Symphony Youth Ensembles have had for the last 60 years. These orchestras play a vital role in supporting, inspiring and fueling the future of the music world, and in cultivating a community which appreciates art and understands the extent to which art can enrich our lives. I believe the more appreciation our world has for beautiful art and beautiful music, the more we can connect with each other on a human level and identify with what we have in common, rather than our differences. I believe that art plays a vital role in bringing us back to our roots as human beings, and teaches us more about ourselves, as well as helping us to learn more about others. Because of this, I believe that the Youth Ensembles have an immense impact on our community and on our world, and I am honored to write a new composition in celebration of these ensembles, especially for such a monumental occasion as the 60th anniversary."

Murrin is the second composer to participate in the SRS Institute for Music Education’s First Opus Project, which echoes the Santa Rosa Symphony's First Symphony Project. The First Opus Project allows young composers to create new compositions for young musicians and emphasizes the important connection between the composer, conductor and musician in the creation of a new work.

Bobby Rogers is a graduate of Sonoma State University (B.A. in Music Education and Jazz Performance) and Sacramento State University (M.A. in Wind Conducting). He was the Region 3 finalist for California Teacher of the Year in 2009, Claus Noble Educator of Distinction in 2010 and Program of Excellence for top program in Yolo County 2015.

Rogers has conducted orchestras such as the American Philharmonic, Camellia Symphony and the Rancho Cordova Civic Light Orchestra. He has also performed and recorded on clarinet, saxophone and flute with various jazz and rock groups, such as Lee Press-On and The Nails, Moonlight Swing Orchestra–a Glenn Miller Tribute Band, Placer Pops Orchestra, Jimmy Luxury, Lucas Arts, Gwen Stefani, Coolio, Third Eye Blind, Smash Mouth, Joe Gilman, Steinway Artist Jim Martinez and Delfayo Marsalis. Rogers currently performs around 100 events each year including his Carnegie Hall debut this past March. Read Rogers' full bio.

AT A GLANCE / CALENDAR LISTING:

WHAT: Santa Rosa Symphony Youth Orchestra concert: Back in the Saddle Again

WHO: Santa Rosa Symphony Youth Orchestra

Bobby Rogers, conductor

WHEN: Saturday, November 13, 2021 at 3:00 PM

WHERE: Weill Hall, Green Music Center, Sonoma State University

TICKET PRICES:

Pre-concert (purchased by 11:00 am on Friday, November 11, 2021): Adult $15/Youth $5
At the door: Adult $20/Youth $10

TICKETS: (707) 546-8742 (Weekdays 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM, opening at 10:30 AM Wednesdays) or any time at srsymphony.org