National Youth Orchestra of the USA Goes Coast-to-Coast on U.S. Tour, 7/20-8/4

This summer, the National Youth Orchestra of the United States of America (NYO-USA), featuring 120 outstanding young musicians from across the country, will come together for a second annual year of extraordinary music-making.

The members of the 2014 orchestra-all ages 16-19, hailing from 35 U.S. states plus Washington, D.C. and Puerto Rico-have been recognized by Carnegie Hall as being among the finest players in the country, following a comprehensive audition process. This summer's NYO-USA will feature 24 returning musicians from the 2013 inaugural orchestra. Click here for a full list of musicians.

Following acclaimed inaugural year performances in Washington DC, Moscow, St. Petersburg, and London, this year's NYO-USA will be introduced to concertgoers across the U.S. with an eight-city, coast-to-coast tour from July 20 to August 4.

The orchestra will be led by dynamic American conductor David Robertson and joined by virtuoso violinist Gil Shaham as soloist for this year's tour. Prior to the tour, the musicians will travel to New York in early July to begin an intensive two-week training residency on the campus of Purchase College, State University of New York, working with principal players from some of the country's best professional orchestras.

"After the incredible launch of this program last summer, we're excited to take this exceptional group of young musicians from coast to coast, inviting audiences across America to have the opportunity to get acquainted with their own National Youth Orchestra," said Clive Gillinson, Carnegie Hall's Executive and Artistic Director. "We continue to be impressed by the depth of world class talent found across the US, and the members who make up NYO-USA's 2014 roster are amongst the very best players today. We're certain that their spirit, dedication to coming together as an orchestra, and high level of music-making will be an inspiration to music lovers everywhere."

The orchestra's 2014 concert program to be performed at all tour venues will include the premiere of a new work from American composer Samuel Carl Adams, commissioned by Carnegie Hall especially for NYO-USA; Leonard Bernstein's Symphonic Dances from West Side Story; Benjamin Britten's Violin Concerto with Mr. Shaham; and Ravel's arrangement of Mussorgsky's Pictures at an Exhibition.

The Carnegie Hall debut concert by NYO-USA on July 22 will be heard by music lovers worldwide via the Carnegie Hall Live broadcast and digital series, created in partnership with WQXR and American Public Media.

Tickets for the Carnegie Hall concert are on sale now at the Carnegie Hall Box Office, by calling CarnegieCharge at 212-247-7800, or online at carnegiehall.org.

James Ross, director of orchestral activities at the University of Maryland, returns this summer to lead the NYO-USA faculty for a second year. Comprising some of the finest players and section leaders from America's greatest orchestras and music schools, the faculty will oversee rehearsals during the orchestra's residency in Purchase and will conduct master classes, chamber music readings, and other seminars on essential music skills, all leading up to the launch of the orchestra's national tour.

While NYO-USA is in residence in Purchase, the NPR radio program From the Top will tape a special edition of the program featuring musicians of the orchestra on Wednesday, July 16 at 7:30 p.m. Program details are to be announced.

The 2014 residency faculty members will include:

Robert Chen, Concertmaster, Chicago Symphony Orchestra
Jennifer Ross, Principal Second Violin, Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra
Beth Guterman Chu, Principal Viola, St. Louis Symphony
Mark Kosower, Principal Cello, Cleveland Orchestra
Jeffrey Turner, Principal Bass, Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra
Mark Sparks, Principal Flute, St. Louis Symphony
Liang Wang, Principal Oboe, New York Philharmonic
Stephen Williamson, Principal Clarinet, Chicago Symphony Orchestra
Whitney Crockett, Principal Bassoon, Los Angeles Philharmonic
Erik Ralske, Principal Horn, Metropolitan Opera Orchestra
Thomas Hooten, Principal Trumpet, Los Angeles Philharmonic
Timothy Higgins, Principal Trombone, San Francisco Symphony
Craig Knox, Principal Tuba, Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra
Cynthia Yeh, Principal Percussion, Chicago Symphony Orchestra
Jauvon Gilliam, Principal Timpanist, National Symphony Orchestra
Nancy Allen, Principal Harp, New York Philharmonic
Eric Huebner, Pianist, New York Philharmonic

About the National Youth Orchestra of the United States of America: Each summer, Carnegie Hall's Weill Music Institute brings together the brightest young musicians from across the country (ages-16-19) to form the National Youth Orchestra of the United States of America (NYO-USA). Following a comprehensive audition process and a two-week training residency at Purchase College, State University of New York, with faculty made up of principal players from top American orchestras, these remarkable teenagers embark on a tour to some of the great music capitals of the world, serving as dynamic music ambassadors.

Launched in summer 2013 to great critical acclaim, the first-ever National Youth Orchestra of the USA presented concerts with famed conductor Valery Gergiev and renowned violinist Joshua Bell for enthusiastic audiences in Washington DC; St. Petersburg and Moscow, Russia; and at the BBC Proms in London, England. In summer 2015, the members of the National Youth Orchestra of the USA will add more stamps to their passports as the ensemble makes its first tour to China.

Purchase College, State University of New York, has been a key partner in Carnegie Hall's NYO-USA program since its inception. During their two-week residency, orchestra members will be housed on Purchase College's scenic campus, located in Westchester County, just north of New York City, where they will undertake their initial training and rehearsals. All rehearsals will be centered at the College's highly-regarded Performing Arts Center and in the rehearsal studios of its School for the Arts Conservatory of Music. Capping the students' stay and the launch of the NYO-USA's performance activities will be a concert at the College's PAC for the public and college community.

Program Information:

NATIONAL YOUTH ORCHESTRA OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
David Robertson, Conductor
Gil Shaham, Violin

LEONARD BERNSTEIN Symphonic Dances from West Side Story
BENJAMIN BRITTEN Violin Concerto, Op. 15
SAMUEL CARL ADAMS New Work (commissioned by Carnegie Hall)
MODEST MUSSORGSKY Pictures at an Exhibition (orch. Ravel)

Sunday, July 20 at 3:00 p.m.
CONCERT 1: PURCHASE, NY
Performing Arts Center; Purchase College, State University of New York
artscenter.org

Tuesday, July 22 at 8:00 p.m.
CONCERT 2: NEW YORK, NY
Carnegie Hall; Stern Auditorium / Perelman Stage
carnegiehall.org

Thursday, July 24 at 8:00 p.m.
CONCERT 3: LENOX, MA
Seiji Ozawa Hall; Tanglewood
bso.org

Saturday, July 26 at 8:00 p.m.
CONCERT 4: BOONE, NC
Schaefer Center for the Performing Arts; An Appalachian Summer Festival
appsummer.org

Monday, July 28 at 6:30 p.m.
CONCERT 5: CHICAGO, IL
Jay Pritzker Pavilion in Millennium Park; Grant Park Music Festival
grantparkmusicfestival.com

Wednesday, July 30 at 8:00 p.m.
CONCERT 6: TETON VILLAGE, WY
Walk Festival Hall; Grand Teton Music Festival
gtmf.org

Saturday, August 2 at 7:30 p.m.
CONCERT 7: ROHNERT PARK, CA
Weill Hall; Sonoma State University's Green Music Center
gmc.sonoma.edu

Monday, August 4 at 7:30 p.m.
CONCERT 8: LOS ANGELES, CA
The Music Center's Walt Disney Concert Hall
musiccenter.org

Tickets for the Carnegie Hall concert, priced $26-$60, are available at the Carnegie Hall Box Office, 154 West 57th Street, or can be charged to major credit cards by calling CarnegieCharge at 212-247-7800 or by visiting the Carnegie Hall website, carnegiehall.org.

For Carnegie Hall Corporation presentations taking place in Stern Auditorium / Perelman Stage, a limited number of seats, priced at $10, will be available day-of-concert beginning at 11:00 a.m. Monday through Saturday and 12:00 noon on Sunday until one hour before the performance or until supply lasts. The exceptions are Carnegie Hall Family Concerts and gala events. These $10 tickets are available to the general public on a first-come, first-served basis at the Carnegie Hall Box Office only. There is a two-ticket limit per customer.

In addition, for all Carnegie Hall presentations in Stern Auditorium / Perelman Stage a limited number of partial view (seats with obstructed or limited sight lines or restricted leg room) will be sold for 50% of the full price. For more information on this and other discount ticket programs, including those for students, Notables members, and Bank of America customers, visit carnegiehall.org/discounts. Artists, programs, and prices are subject to change.

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