“If you’re looking for an event that is almost certain to leave you inspired, take in a concert by one of the Bay Area’s many excellent youth symphonies,” writes Cheryl North in Monday’s (10/6) San Jose Mercury News (California). “The Oakland Symphony Youth Orchestra, has just announced the three programs planned for its 51st anniversary season, now under its new principal conductor, Omid Zoufonoun…. Zoufonoun, 40 … is not only an accomplished, charismatic conductor, he is also a professional guitarist, educator and an award-winning composer. He is a member of a remarkable musical family. Zoufonoun was born in Tehran, Iran, but raised in the San Francisco Bay Area. He and his three musical brothers studied music under their father, the accomplished Persian musician Ostad Mahmoud Zoufonoun.” The first of the orchestra’s three programs will take place on November 2. Repertoire to be featured during the season includes the Mozart Requiem, Stravinsky’s Firebird (1919 version), Bernstein’s Candide Overture, Schubert’s Symphony No. 8, Suk’s Scherzo Fantastique Op. 25; and Brahms’s Symphony No. 1. The orchestra will also hold its inaugural Young Composer Competition in 2014-15.
Posted October 8, 2014
Pictured: Omid Zoufonoun, new principal conductor of the Oakland Symphony Youth Orchestra. Photo by Kathryn Friedman
