In Wednesday’s (6/6) San Jose Mercury News (California), Richard Scheinin writes, “Yair Samet found his calling 17 years ago, when he became music director and conductor of the San Jose Youth Symphony. It had 50 members, and Samet—a gifted pianist, a young man with a burgeoning conducting career—thought he might work with the group for two or three years, then move on. Well, he’s still there, happily guiding the organization, which has 300 members, performing in eight ensembles. … On June 16, the orchestra will celebrate its 60th anniversary with a gala concert at Flint Center in Cupertino, featuring pianist Jon Nakamatsu as guest soloist. Samet, 47, will be on the podium.” Says Samet, “We have so many alumni who keep coming back to us, many times. They come home on college breaks and play our holiday concerts. They help with our summer camps. Some of them join us for international tours. We will have at least 30 of them with us on June 16. And more than a few play professionally or are in the best music schools. … And among those who didn’t pursue music, we have doctors, surgeons, engineers. I hear a lot of testaments from the alumni and kids. It helps them to focus; it helps them tremendously with their studies.”
Posted June 6, 2012
