Music Plays on with Edison International Grant

The San Bernardino Symphony has received a $5,000 community grant from Edison International to sponsor the group's teen music enrichment programs. “Local youth represent our future audiences, but more so, they represent the future of our community. It is very rewarding to be recognized for the efforts that we have been making toward reaching this important segment of our diverse audience,” said Symphony Board of Directors President Dr. Judith Valles. The subject programs include three offerings especially designed for middle and high school-aged youth, and are grounded in academic and career-focused activities. The first, Maestro in the Schools, brings Symphony Conductor and Music Director Frank Paul Fetta into orchestra classrooms. There, he meets directly with orchestral students to discuss the importance of practice, teamwor, and listening, and to help them hone their performance skills. The students play a selected piece of music, then they work together to make it truly performance-worthy. “It is a joy to work with these young people,” said Fetta. “Many are already very skilled, but reticent to demonstrate their talents. Watching that moment of recognition when they realize they can do more than they had realized is incredibly gratifying for me as a mentor.” Another of the Symphony’s programs is the Symphony Debs and Red Tie Associates, a job skills training certificate program for young people who have an interest in music and in serving their community. Following an extensive training program, these young people act as Symphony Ambassadors at concerts and special events. The young men (Red Ties) assist audience members from their vehicles while the young ladies (Debs) assist with program distribution and questions regarding seat assignments. All provide information about the orchestra’s primary venue, the historic California Theatre. A third aspect of the Symphony’s work with area youth is found through the annual concerts provided for the schools. Each year, more than 1,700 students have attended a free orchestral concert at the Theatre. This year, with the help of grants awarded by the San Manuel Band of Mission Indians, Edison, The Children’s Fund and other local businesses, a second concert has been added. “We could not be more pleased,” said Symphony executive director Dr. Anne Viricel. “Working in close partnership with the San Bernardino City Unified School District, we created the concept of a concert to extend Black History Month studies. The result is our ‘Musical Genius in America’ concert and we are so proud to be able to bring this to the youth of our community this February.” The San Bernardino Symphony's 2014-2015 season, themed “By Request: The Music You Want to Hear,” was designed to include music suggested by audience members of all ages.