Press Releases

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

WHO: The Austin Symphony Orchestra High School COncerts
WHEN: January 15-18, 2008
WHERE: Austin and Round Rock High Schools
CONTACT: Don Hill, Director of Public Relations - 476-6064 x 213

AUSTIN SYMPHONY TO TOUR AREA HIGH SCHOOLS WITH 2008 YOUTH AWARD WINNERS

Sponsors: Topfer Family Foundation, Supercuts, St. David's Healthcare Partnership, Applied Materials, Texas Commission on the Arts and the Austin Arts Commission
Media Sponsors: Time Warner Cable/News 8 Austin, Austin American Statesman & Majic 95.5 FM

The 2008 High School Concert Tour of the Austin Symphony Orchestra begins January 15th with “And The Beat Goes On.” This year, five high school gymnasiums will be transformed into concert halls overflowing with sounds of classical music that is heard in everyday life. Thanks to sponsors Topfer Family Foundation, Supercuts, St. David’s Healthcare Partnership, Applied Materials, Texas Commission on the Arts, and the Austin Arts Commission, bleachers will rock as over 10,000 would-be musicians and patrons prepare themselves for their future ties with the arts. Under the direction of guest conductor Raffaele Ponti, concerts will cruise for 45 minutes with selections of classic and light classic favorites, showing students that music that they hear in everyday life may just be “classical.” Also featured in these concerts will be performances by the teenage winners of the Austin Symphony Youth Awards. Each concert closes with a surprise spirit-filled finale, an orchestrated version of their high school fight song conducted by their own school’s music director.

Select student instrumentalists from each school, as well as the Austin Symphony Youth Award winners, will blend their musical talents with the Austin Symphony side-by-side in this popular educational program. The Austin Symphony Youth Award is a competition held through the Austin District Music Teachers Association that chooses student musicians to perform with the ASO during these concerts.

The 2008 recipients of the Austin Symphony Youth Awards are Alexander Yau and Joseph Choi. Mr. Yau, a violinist, is a junior at the Liberal Arts and Science Academy at LBJ High School. He is a student of Diane Dickson and has been playing for 11 years. Mr. Choi, a 17-year-old pianist, is a homeschooled senior who also attended LBJ High School. He is a student of Anton Nel and has also been playing for 11 years. Both young men will be soloists with the ASO during these concerts.

The Austin Symphony Orchestra proudly presents its High School Concerts to provide quality educational programming and motivation for the student population of Central Texas. Whether they’re toddlers or graduates, students are constantly exposed to various musical programs featuring musicians of the ASO. This outstanding fusion of music, education, and students’ musical accomplishments will seduce ambitious musicians as well as give outstanding students the chance of a lifetime.

Schedule of 2008 High School Concerts
Raffaele Ponti, Guest Conductor

Tuesday, January 15, 2008 - 10:15 AM - McCallum High School
Tuesday, January 15, 2008 - 2:15 PM - Lanier High School
Wednesday, January 16, 2008 - 9:30 AM - Travis High School
Wednesday, January 16, 2008 - 1:30 PM - Crockett High School
Friday, January 18, 2008 - 10:00 AM - Westwood High School (Round Rock Performing Arts Center)

FOR MEDIA ACCESS AND PARKING, CONTACT DON HILL AT (512) 476-6064

All artists, programs, and schedules subject to change.