Upon hearing our Cascade Youth Symphony for the first time at our spring concert last May, Seattle Symphony Music Director Gerard Schwarz was terrifically impressed and  immediately extended an invitation for them to perform “side-by-side” this season with the Seattle Symphony at Benaroya Hall.   Just as quickly, we eagerly accepted.

Arrangements are now in-process for members of our Cascade Youth Symphony, the orchestra ensemble generally comprised of our most talented and accomplished young musicians, to perform Side-by-Side with the Seattle Symphony this May 2010.   Inviting a youth orchestra or other youth ensemble to perform with the Seattle Symphony at Benaroya Hall is not at all unprecedented.  What it usually means is that the youth group will perform a few pieces first, then the Symphony will perform another few pieces, and finally the two will combine for a third set at a single performance.  We have been very excited to learn that Maestro Schwarz wishes our May 2010 Cascade Youth Symphony appearance with the Seattle Symphony to be rather significantly different.

First, the Seattle Symphony and the Cascade Youth Symphony will perform two concerts at Benaroya Hall, not just one.   They will be on May 8 and May 11, 2010.

Second, we will have a separate full “rehearsal session” with one another on May 7th, representing yet a third opportunity for our young musicians to be elbow-to-elbow and bow-to-bow with their musical heroes in the Seattle Symphony.

Third, the combined Seattle/Cascade Youth Symphony will perform the entire program of music together as one special integrated orchestra.

Finally, Maestro Schwarz has decided to conduct these rehearsal and performance concerts himself, rather than passing it off to one of the Symphony’s assistant conductors or someone else.  What this means, of course, is that the participating members of the Cascade Youth Symphony will have the unique opportunity to perform under the baton of one of the great conductors and music directors in the world, as well as on the stage of one of the great recital halls in the world.

You might say our young musicians are jazzed by the whole thing, but we mix musical metaphors.   This will be a memorable experience for a lifetime for all of us in CYSO and we’re genuinely thrilled by it.  We do hope you can join us.  Ticket information will be available soon on the Symphony’s Web site at www.SeattleSymphony.org.