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T h e B i - A n n u a l N e w s l e t t e r o f t h e Y o u n g M u s i c i a n s F o u n d a t i o n

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YMF was founded in 1955 and the Debut Orchestra in 1956.

Arturo Sandoval Receives YMF Lifetime Achievement Awardto be presented on March 27th, 2017 at YMF’s 62nd Annual Gala

Legendary musician, composer, bandleader and cultural ambassador Arturo Sandoval will receive YMF’s Lifetime Achievement Award at our 62nd annual Gala. He will also perform with the Debut Chamber Orchestra. The theme of this year’s Gala is Music Has No Borders, and the event will be held on March 27, 2017 at the Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts.

The impact of Mr. Sandoval’s career as an innovator in jazz improvisation and composition, along with his virtuosic mastery of the trumpet and his passion for education has been felt across the world, and is the embodiment of YMF’s mission and purpose.

Prior winners of the Lifetime Achievement Award include John Williams, Henry Mancini, Elmer Bernstein, Merv Griffin, Michel Legrand, John Lithgow, Michael Kamen, Dionne Warwick, Deborah Borda and many other musical and cultural icons who have significantly influenced and made lasting contributions to the musical arts and culture.

For reservations, concert tickets or other information, please contact ONE Events Management at (310) 413 - 8407.

Inspired by Our Past . . .ype “oldest pre-professional training orchestra” into Google and the first 30 results that come up will be links to the YMF Debut Orchestra. Most links cite Debut as the second-

oldest such orchestra in the U.S.

YMF was founded in 1955 and the Debut Orchestra in 1956. The orchestra received its name from a popular televsion program entitled “Debut” on which the ensemble performed. While YMF and Debut have strong roots in the past, we have always been forward thinking and at the leading edge of cultural and artistic developments.

In addition to the standard repertoire essential to the training of young musicians, Debut championed newer controversial composers such as Edgard Varèse, György Ligeti and Karlheinz Stockhausen.

YMF was also a leader in terms of promoting diversity and embracing a culture of inclusion. In 1960 Henry Lewis was appointed Music Director, thus becoming one of the first African American musicians in the nation to hold such a position. Mr. Lewis went on to join the Los Angeles Philharmonic at age 16 and then founded the Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra in 1963.

YMF may also have been the only organization of its kind to feature a performance by Frank Zappa at a fundraising Gala, as we did in 1983. Mr. Zappa led the Debut Orchestra in a performance of his composition Envelopes. The event also featured legendary film composer Henry Mancini, flugelhornist Chuck Mangione and actor/singer Florence Henderson. It is probably safe to say that this was the only time this particular group of artists ever a shared a stage.

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A NEW LOOK FOR YMF

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2 Debu t Chambe r O r che s t r a

Meet the Members of DCO

Name: Josh RoganPositioN: 2nd Trumpetmember siNce: 2015HometowN: Frankston, Australia

t is an understatement to claim that Josh Rogan was born into a musical family. Not only were his parents and two older siblings all brass players, but both of his grandfathers also performed (one to this day plays the tuba at the age of 80!) Needless to say that when Josh

began playing the cornet around the age of five, it was second nature.

“My whole family played, so it was a natural progression for me to start playing,” says Josh. Following in the footsteps of his relatives, he joined the Frankston City Band, where his parents first met. Despite switching to trumpet upon entering high school, Josh actively continued performing in brass bands with his friends; “it’s good for keeping your lip in,” he says.

At the University of Melbourne, Josh further explored his musical talents, developing an interest in contemporary music and forming a brass quintet called Brass Cookie. He continued his studies at the Australian National Academy of Music, and performed as a substitute musician with some of the greatest symphony orchestras in Australia. Following his studies, he was offered a six-month contract with the Sydney Symphony Orchestra, performing at the Sydney Opera House.

Since 2015, Josh has studied at the Colburn Conservatory with teacher James Wilt. He became a member of the Debut Chamber Orchestra shortly thereafter, and fondly recalls the Yeethoven concert from April 2016: “ The audience was particularly memorable because they were VERY enthusiastic, full of energy and passion, and were a great audience to perform for.” He is also thrilled to have performed Ligeti’s Mysteries of the Macabre in February 2016, a work he had heard many times on trumpet, but never quite understood. “I now feel like I really know the piece, and definitely enjoy what was once only confusion to me.”

Josh readily admits that playing trumpet occupies most of his thoughts: he even applies his interest in new technologies to his own performances, having used his 360° camera to record and upload the very first solo trumpet performance of its kind to YouTube. Josh also swims every morning and runs most evenings during the week. His biggest love is back in Australia: his dog Chucky, a fluffy Keeshond whose face looks like a cute bear!

DCO Launches 2016/17 SeasonInaugural Concert Explores Light and Dark

he Debut Chamber Orchestra (DCO) launched its season in October with a spectacular concert at the Eli and Edythe Broad Stage in Santa Monica. The evening explored musical territory both magical and sombre, opening with perhaps one of the most well-known

programmatic pieces performed today, The Sorcerer’s Apprentice by Paul Dukas. Featured in the 1940 Disney animated film Fantasia, the work derives from a poem by Goethe in which a wizard-in-training loses control over a broom on which he cast a spell to fetch him water. This dream-like fantasy was followed by Asyla (meaning both sanctuary and madhouse), an imposing work by British composer Thomas Adès evoking the ecstasy of a massive drug-influenced nightclub through musical references to Electronic Dance Music (EDM). Closing the program, Hector Berlioz’ Symphonie Fantastique famously depicts an artist who, in the throes of un unrequited love, ingests opium and experiences wrenching hallucinations.

All three works overtly depict their subjects through distinct sonorities, and the abundance of colors and impressions pushed the orchestra to explore new musical and technical territory. Several musicians were even tasked with learning to play unusual auxiliary instruments such as the bass flute, contrabass clarinet, and the all-too-rarely-heard (and much less featured!) bass oboe. In addition to the cohort of percussion instruments, two keyboards tuned one quarter tone apart created an atmosphere of new sounds Maestro Cohler and the DCO are eager to continue exploring in 2017 and beyond.

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- Pierre Derycz

- Pierre Derycz

Tea ch i ng A r t i s t P r og ram 3

Overview

YMF Teaching Artist Program

TAP develops an individualized curriculum for each of its partner schools and sites. Taught inside the students’ classrooms with an emphasis on VAPA standards and 21st century skills, the program empowers students to succeed both inside and outside the classroom.

Here is an overview of the Program:

Students and DistrictsOver 1,400 total studentsPre-K through high school90% Title 1Los Angeles Unified School DistrictLawndale Elementary School DistrictLennox Elementary School DistrictCharter SchoolsParochial Schools

28 Teaching ArtistsTeachers are carefully selected by audition and interviewMinimum of BM in instrument taught requiredMany have MM and DMA degreesSpecialized training provided

Instruments TaughtViolinViolaCelloGuitarHarpTrumpetTromboneEuphoniumTubaFluteClarinetSaxophoneRecorderPianoPercussion

Classes and EnsemblesGeneral MusicVoice ClassChoral GroupsMixed Ensembles

f a teacher were to look up the definition of a model student, 10th grade harpist Melissa Maldonado would fit it perfectly.

Melissa has been in the Teaching Artist Program for two years and is one of the most well-mannered, mature and dependable students within Neighborhood Orchestra. She is an exceptionally gifted and motivational leader who exudes confidence and maturity. Her teacher, Ko-Ni Choi, a graduate from the Curtis Institute of Music, characterizes Melissa as having incredible discipline and dedication. “She practices every day and doesn’t stop until she masters what she is working on that day.” What Melissa appreciates most about music classes is that there is always something new to discover. Learning techniques and musicianship beyond the basics have pushed her musical ability exponentially.

Melissa was drawn to the harp by its calming and melodic tones. She refers to the harp as her safe zone because it refreshes her spirit and aids in healing. A prime example of how the harp lifted her mood was during the 2016 Spring Concert. The harp class performed “London Bridge,” a two-part song arranged by Ms. Choi. In preparation for the performance, Melissa learned both parts, so that she could help cue the other performers’ entrances and releases. The reception from the audience was tremendous and is one of Melissa’s fondest musical memories thus far. She describes the experience as “a peaceful, happy and safe environment.” “It was wonderful to see each class perform and for all of us to come together like a family sharing our music with everyone.”

Melissa’s greatest desire is to take advantage of every opportunity and to pursue the ultimate goal of excellence. When asked what advice this bright young musician had for others, Melissa said, “It’s always good to try something new. You never know where it could lead.” Her positive experience in the Teaching Artist Program has encouraged her to continue studying music in college. It is evident that with Melissa’s passion and perseverance, she will have continued success in her future endeavors.

Teaching Artist Program Expands Scope and Services

Student Spotlight: Melissa Maldonado

y popular demand, our Teaching Artist Program continues to cultivate new partnerships with schools in the greater Los Angeles area. The program now provides general music, instrumental and vocal instruction to over 1,400 students

at 13 schools and sites. A staff of 28 Teaching Artists brings individualized education directly to classrooms and learning centers, ensuring equal access to every student. For the 2017/18 school year, we have been asked to expand our reach to areas such as East Los Angeles, Compton, and Echo Park. We look foward to welcoming our new sites and students to the YMF community!

Supplemental Teaching and Ensemble Coaching for High School Students

AP is poised to deliver chamber music and supplemental instrumental coaching to a broad spectrum of high school students in the Los Angeles area beginning this January. Centennial High School in Compton, Los

Angeles High School for the Performing Arts in East Los Angeles and South Pasadena High School students will be receiving instruction through TAP.

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- Lauren Wasynczuk

4 F o cu sed on t he Fu tu r e

The Betty Lou Gross Inspiration Award

First to be presented on March 27th, 2017 at YMF’s 62nd Annual Gala

etty Lou Gross has spent a lifetime inspiring others to discover the full potential within themselves. As an educator, she inspired countless students to dream

big and to apply themselves toward the realization of those dreams. Her values and beliefs as a philanthropist inspire the organizations she supports to meet their potential—the potential to produce the greatest impact and create the greatest amount of good in the world around us.

Her long-time support of the Young Musicians Foundation has inspired our organization to do the same. Her values clearly align with ours and are embedded into YMF’s core mission. They consistently motivate us to dream big and to authentically apply ourselves to their realization.

To honor Betty Lou Gross’ commitment to YMF, her unflagging belief in our mission and the inspiration she has provided along the way, we are proud to introduce the Young Musicians Foundation Betty Lou Gross Inspiration Award. The Award will be presented annually to educators, artists or organizations that have made the invaluable contribution of inspiring students in the greater Los Angeles area to pursue education and the arts.

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n recent years, YMF’s programs expanded at such a fast rate our office technology was not able to keep up. We were courting donors without the aid of a database

program, designing concert programs with PowerPoint—all while working with Internet service that was spotty at best. The resilience of the staff while working around these obstacles has been impressive, to say the least, and has led us to look at the future with new goals in mind.

In June we applied for a grant from the Ahmanson Foundation to help us upgrade our technological infrastructure and implement state-of-the-art donor management software, and to the Annenberg Foundation for general infrastructure upgrades. We are grateful to both foundations for the support we received, allowing us to move from the metaphorical dark ages of technology into the current digital age.

In October we replaced our 1970s phone system and replaced our oldest computers. We also acquired professional level graphic design software to make our programs and flyers more eye-catching and striking. We upgraded to faster Internet, which allows us to house a donor database that is comprehensive and accessible, as well as enables us to download and upload our photos and concert video recordings, with the goal of making them more available for the public to enjoy. A personal favorite of these upgrades is our new phone system, which does not have the issue of suddenly activating all lines for no reason whatsoever.

We are excited to watch all of our programs grow and change through these advancements. With these improvements and updates we are able to achieve so much more as well as save time with efficient and capable systems. Thanks again to the Ahmanson Foundation and the Annenberg Foundation!

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his spirit of innovation, boundary pushing and artistic inquiry is what guides us as we plan and position YMF to meet the challenges of the future. Toward that end, we conducted a series of “retreats” and discussions with our Board of Directors and staff, we spoke with current and past Debut Orchestra members and those whose lives and career paths have been influenced

by YMF. In the process we have defined a set of values that YMF has always held and embodied. Prime among these is the statement that YMF “respects great music of the past, celebrates influential music of the present and lays the foundation for exceptional music of the future.”

With these values as our guide, we have also developed a new mission statement and logo for YMF. In regards to the Debut Orchestra, we’ve drawn from the past and embraced what the group was once called and still is—a chamber orchestra. We will now refer to the ensemble as the Debut Chamber Orchestra, or DCO.

We have also changed the focus of the Chamber Music Program to serve more high school aged students in areas as wide-ranging as Compton and East Los Angeles and found avenues to integrate all of our programs so that they support each other and function as effectively as possible.

Having spent time examining our history and heritage and identifying opportunities to impact the future, the road ahead for YMF looks as bright, exciting and adventurous as it must have been for Sylvia Kunin, Gregor Piatigorsky, Elmer Bernstein, Jascha Heifetz and all the cultural icons whose memory we have the privilege of embodying.

T. . . Focused on the Future (continued from p. 1)

Greater Efficiency with Technology

- Walter Zooi

- Katie Robertstad

L awren ce N . F i e l d / V i s i ona r y 5

Yuga Cohler Named Lawrence N. Field Conductor-in-Residenceuga Cohler, Debut Chamber Orchestra (DCO) conductor is the first YMF music director to hold the title of Lawrence N. Field Conductor-in-Residence. The announcement was made by Executive Director Walter Zooi at the start of the DCO season this October. The position is named to recognize a significant three-year gift from noted philanthropist and businessperson

Lawrence N. Field.

“We are honored that someone of Mr. Field’s stature has consistently chosen to partner with YMF,” explained Walter Zooi. “As we position YMF and the Debut Chamber Orchestra to meet the challenges of and thrive in a changing cultural landscape, his guidance and support are more appreciated, and more crucial, than ever.”

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your community, it comes back. I found that the more I gave, the more I received.”

Despite his many years of achievement, or perhaps because of them, Lawrence Field is as active today as ever, perhaps more so. In addition to leading his firm NSB Associates, which manages a portfolio that includes over 2.5 million square feet of commercial space on more than 4 million square feet of land, and maintaining his philanthropic engagements, he is also putting the finishing touches on a book. Witty and entertaining, with the working title From the Bronx to Beverly Hills – Not So Bad, the book is based on his experiences in business, written as guide for achieving success as an entrepreneur and in life. Readers could not ask for a more engaging mentor in these areas and YMF could not ask for a better partner and guide.

Committee of Cedars Sinai Medical Center, serves on the Board of Trustees of his alma mater, the New York Law School, and sits on the Boards of both the Los Angeles Music Center and the Los Angeles Philharmonic Association, among many others. The Young Musicians Foundation is honored to be among the organizations Mr. Field supports. Explaining why he chooses to partner with YMF, Mr. Field said: “I personally feel that the arts are an absolutely necessary ingredient in society. I also feel it’s very important to support an organization that brings access to the arts to young people.”

In fact, Mr. Field attributes his success directly to his philanthropic endeavors:

“Whatever you do in life, it comes back to you,” observed Mr. Field. “If you do things that help

awrence Field has always gone his own way. Even as a young man he was determined to follow his

entrepreneurial calling rather than his parents’ wishes to study history and become a teacher. “I wanted to go into a business where I could be successful based solely on my ability,” explains Mr. Field. His ability proved to be boundless and his success legendary. Over the course of his career his firms have acquired and developed more than $1 billion worth of real estate and delivered an unbroken string of successes for his investors.

Throughout his career as an entrepreneur and business leader, Mr. Field appliedthe same instincts for making the most effective and strategic choices in pursuing his philanthropic interests, especially in the areas of healthcare, education and the arts. He is a member of the Executive

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“Helping the Arts Community Helps Everybody” The Unique Philanthropic Vision of Lawrence N. Field

Lawrence Field with Yuga Cohler

6 Boa rd o f D i r e c t o r s

MF’s podcast Connections made its debut in early January of this year. The program is targeted to anyone pursuing

a career in music, interested in film, television or recording production, or who enjoys inspiring stories told by legendary musical artists. New episodes will be produced bi-monthly and will focus on YMF alumni who have had significant cultural impact, specifically in the worlds of the entertainment industry, instrumental/contemporary music and education. The program seeks to find the intersections where musical excellence and passion meet influential application and celebrate the pedagogue/mentors whose students influenced generations. The first episode features trumpet virtuoso Malcolm McNab. In this episode Malcolm shares fascinating behind the scenes stories from his illustrious recording career and time spent on the road with Frank Zappa, among others. He also discusses his most influential instructors, his philosophy of practice and preparation and much more. Connections is available for download on the YMF website, iTunes and other podcasting apps.

Connections Podcast Debuts

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Meet Our BoardFred Scholder, secretary

red Scholder, born in Vienna, Austria, grew up in Washington Heights and the Peekskill Mountains of New York, then enrolled in the

prestigious High School of Music and Art to study violin. There he met Evy Morgenstern, a student of piano and percussion. They soon married and moved to California.

Fred and Evy raised two daughters, Stacy and Amy, in the San Fernando Valley, where he founded Aries Prepared Beef in 1975 and Smokehouse Pet Products in 1991.

Fred introduced his granddaughter, Emma, to the violin at age six. She is now finishing high school and has become an accomplished violinist, attending the Idyllwild Arts Summer Program and accepted this fall to the Colburn Youth Orchestra.

With his successful bid at last year’s Gala, Fred will conduct the overture to Verdi’s La forza del destino at YMF’s 2017 Gala. This will not be his first time with the baton; he has conducted pieces in the Rehearsal Hall at the Aspen Summer Music Festival for the Conducting Orchestra five consecutive years under the tutelage of his longtime friend David Zinman, former Music Director of the Aspen Music Festival and School.

Fred is an LA Music Center founder, a 30-year subscriber to the LA Opera, and a supporter of the LA Philharmonic. He is a long-time student of Sam Fischer—Interim Co-chair of the YMF Music Advisory Board—and plays in a classical ensemble on weekends. He has served on the YMF Board of Directors for over four years and was elected Board Secretary in April.

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YMF Welcomes Dr. Alexander Gershman to Board of Directors

MF is pleased to welcome Dr. Alexander Gershman as the newest member of our Board of Directors. Dr. Gershman is extraordinarily accomplished in the fields of both medicine and music. He is a pioneer in laparoscopic

surgery and robotic-assisted surgery, and is considered a leading authority on minimally invasive surgery. He serves as Assistant Clinical Professor at the UCLA School of Medicine Department of Urology and Clinical Faculty at the Harbor-UCLA Medical Center Department of Urology, among other academic appointments. His numerous hospital affiliations include serving as Clinical Chief of Urology at the Cedars-Sinai Medical Center; Director of Urologic Laparoscopy Division of Urology, Harbor-UCLA Medical Center; Head of Endourology Division, Department of Surgery, VA Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System; Attending Surgeon, Laparoscopic Renal Transplant Surgery, St. Mary Medical Center; Attending Surgeon at the Cedars-Sinai Medical Center; and Attending Surgeon at the Harbor-UCLA Medical Center. In light of his demanding medical career, Dr. Gershman’s accomplishments and standing as a composer, bandleader and musician are equally impressive. His current ensemble Sasha’s Bloc, which he refers to as a “jazz collective,” brings together what Jazz Weekly critic George Harris calls “…an air tight rhythm team and concisely swinging horn section.” Sasha’s Bloc has worked with some of the top names in Jazz, including Jane Monheit and Take 6. Their three recordings, entitled Hearts on Fire, Runaway Blues and Melancholy have received glowing critical reviews and the group maintains a vigorous schedule of live performances.

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A l umn i & Up com ing Even t s 7

Steven Logan, Section Percussion (‘11-’13)Appointed Principal Timpani of Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra

Tyler Stell, Assistant Timpani / Section Percussion (‘10-’13)Appointed Principal Timpani of Tucson Symphony Orchestra

Jon Bhatia, Principal Trumpet (‘14-’16)Appointed Adjunct Professor of Music at Lamar University, Mary Morgan Moore Department of Music

Johanna Gruskin, Principal Flute (‘15-’16)Appointed Principal Flute of Knoxville Symphony Orchestra

Grace Nakano, Associate Principal 2nd Violin (‘13-’16)Appointed Assistant Concertmaster of Tucson Symphony Orchestra

Carrie Rexroat, 2nd Horn (‘14-’15)Appointed 2nd Horn of South Dakota Symphony Orchestra

A l u m n i H i g h l i g h t s

Saturday, February 25, 2017Debut String OrchestraZipper Hall, Colburn School200 South Grand Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90012

Yuga Cohler, conductorCharles Yang, violin

SCHOENBERG, Arnold (1874 - 1951)Waltzes for String Orchestra (1897) BERNSTEIN, Leonard (1918 - 1990)Serenade (after Plato’s Symposium)

BEETHOVEN, Ludwig van (1770 - 1827)String Quartet No. 14 in C-sharp minor, op. 131 (1826)

Monday, March 27, 2017YMF 2017 Gala: Music Has No BordersWallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts9390 North Santa Monica Blvd, Beverly Hills, CA 90210

Arturo Sandoval, YMF Lifetime Achievement Award HonoreeSarah Kave, YMF Discovery Prize WinnerYuga Cohler, conductor

Thursday, April 27, 2017The Great Music Series: Electronic Dance MusicThe Belasco Theatre1050 Hill St, Los Angeles, CA 90015

A collaboration with DJ Artist and Producer Hudson Mohawke

DCO

Upcoming Events

t is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of long-time Board member and beloved member of the

YMF family Gunther Schiff. Gunther’s dedication, guidance and wise counsel were essential components of YMF’s success. His warm smile, his steady, calming presence and his enthusiasm for great music and the importance of musical education made an indelible impression on all who had the pleasure of knowing and working with him.

Gunther was born in Cologne, Germany. He and his family fled the escalating

darkness in his home country in 1936 and settled in Los Angeles. He served in the U.S. Navy then went to Georgetown University where he earned a law degree in 1952. After serving on the staff of a U.S. Congressman, Gunther moved back to Los Angeles and began practicing law.

He became a highly-successful and sought-after entertainment lawyer. Specializing in contract negotiations, he worked with many of Hollywood’s most prominent figures. He also contributed his services to the Superior Court and the Court of Appeals.

Gunther is survived by Jo Ann Rosengrant Schiff, his devoted wife of 57 years, his children Eric, Mary Alice, Jage and Hans, nine grandchildren and a great-granddaughter. In addition to his love and support of music, Gunther was an avid motorcyclist, skier and sailor.

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Give online at www.YMF.org/supportor call (213) 617 - 7707

Support YMF

In MemoriamGunther Schiff

Young Musicians Foundation244 S. San Pedro St., Suite 506Los Angeles, CA 90012

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S y s t e m s I n c .

8 About YMF

T h e B i - A n n u a l N e w s l e t t e r o f t h e Y o u n g M u s i c i a n s F o u n d a t i o nY M F

Janua r y 2017 Vo l ume 1 I s s ue 2

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Memorial Trust

Thelma Pearl Howard Foundation

Robert A. Stranahan, Jr. Charitable Advised Fund

Sidney Stern

Walter J. & Holly O. Thomson Foundation

Thank You to our Partners:

Stoller Family Charitable Trust

Adams - Mastrovich Family Foundation

Pajwell Foundation

Chartwell Charitable Foundation