Woodbridge, VA (January 23, 2012) – The Youth Symphony Orchestra – YOPW’s top ensemble – will present the world premiere performance of Glimpseby acclaimed American composer, Eric Nathan. The performance is scheduled for Sunday, February 10, at 4PM at the Hylton Performing Arts Center in Merchant Hall.
Mr. Nathan was commissioned by the Youth Orchestras of Prince William this season to compose a piece in celebration of the Youth Symphony Orchestra’s upcoming performance at Carnegie Hall in New York City. The inspiration for Glimpse came from a stroll in New York City’s Riverside Park and aims to capture all that happens in a single fleeting moment.
John Devlin, Music Director of YOPW is excited to present the recently commissioned piece. “I have been a fan of Eric’s music for years and have had the good fortune of collaborating with him on several world premieres. Eric has a talent for writing pieces that are accessible to young people, and of the highest level of artistic and creative achievement. It is a truly exciting work and one I am thrilled to be able to present to the audiences in Virginia and in New York.”
Eric Nathan is also looking forward to the premiere. “I am thrilled to have the YOPW’s Youth Symphony Orchestra premiere Glimpse, and to have them perform the work on their New York City tour. I composed the piece with the orchestra and conductor John Devlin in mind and so it will be especially exciting to hear them perform the work. I look forward to working with them in the coming weeks and to introducing the piece to audiences in Virginia and New York!”
Eric Nathan’s compositions have been performed and featured internationally by music festivals including the Aldeburgh Music Festival (UK), Tanglewood, Aspen, Ravinia Festival Steans Institute, Banff Centre, Shanghai Conservatory New Music Week, Composers Now Festival, 2012 World Music Days (Belgium) and featured on NPR’s radio show “From the Top” and WQXR’s Q2 Radio. Nathan’s music has been recognized with the ASCAP Rudolf Nissim Prize, American Academy of Arts and Letters Charles Ives Scholarship, Aspen Music Festival’s Jacob Druckman Prize, BMI William Schuman Prize, ISCM-IAMIC Young Composer Award, League of Composers Competition, First Prize in the ASCAP/SCI National Student Commission Competition, and four ASCAP Foundation Morton Gould Young Composer Awards, among others. Nathan completed his doctorate at Cornell University and received his M.M. from Indiana University, and his B.A. from Yale College.
The February 10 concert will also feature YOPW’s Wind Symphony under the direction of Joe LaBrie. Each piece preformed at the concert will be highlighted by special lighting to enhance the audience’s concert experience. The performance begins at 4PM in Merchant Hall at the Hylton Performing Arts Center. Tickets are available from the Hylton Performing Arts Center box office or online at HyltonCenter.org.
For more than 30 years, the Youth Orchestras of Prince William has provided exceptional instrumental education for the youth of the region. We offer opportunities for a wide spectrum of students, ranging from beginning string players and intermediate wind players to advanced students performing professional symphonic repertoire. YOPW enrolls approximately 325 students in three string orchestras, two symphony orchestras, a wind symphony, and a variety of chamber music ensembles. Our students are primarily from Prince William County, Virginia, but YOPW members come from all over Northern Virginia and North Central Virginia. For more information about the Youth Orchestras of Prince William visit our website: http://www.yopwva.org.
