Midge Boardman, Enjoy!
GLENDALE -- Petros Boyadzhyan will stand alone in the spotlight
Tuesday to solo with the Glendale Youth Orchestra, performing the
Wienjawski Violin Concerto in D Minor, op. 22.
The 14-year-old violinist, who arrived in this country nine years ago,
joined the youth orchestra in 1996. Out of five Armenian Allied Arts
Association competitions, The Van Nuys resident placed first three times,
second twice.
His father plays the keyboard; his uncle's instruments are guitar and
piano, so he comes by his talent inherently.
Wanting to follow in their footsteps, he says, "Hopefully, I'll become
a professional musician."
Now in its 11th year, the 60-member Glendale Youth Orchestra was
formed to provide students with the opportunity to perform classical
music in a formal orchestral setting and to benefit from advanced musical
training.
Christopher Fazzi, music director and conductor since 1992, finds
working with the youngsters a joy.
"It's great watching them discover the brilliance of the great
masters," he said.
A Los Angeles native, Fazzi is a graduate of the Hollywood
Professional School and USC, where he earned a bachelor of arts degree in
music.
He also has guided the Glendale Chamber Orchestra and was assistant
conductor of the Glendale Symphony Orchestra. He composed the film score
for PRISMA, which has aired here and abroad, and collaborated musically
with Doc Severinson, Erich Kunzel and the Cincinnati Pops and Telarc
Records.
The upcoming concert will feature Beethoven's Prometheus Overture and
Mozart's Symphony #40 in G Minor, K. 550.
The orchestra is open to youths from junior high through second year
college who pass the audition. Performances are staged three times
annually and are supported through ticket sales, benefit recitals,
donations, sponsors and grants.
Their mission, according to a youth orchestra statement, is based on
the belief that young people have a better chance of succeeding in their
world if they appreciate and participate in its rich artistic and
cultural traditions.
This could relate to the audience, as well.
IF YOU GO
WHAT: Glendale Youth Orchestra Concert, featuring violin soloist
Petros Boyadzhyan.
WHEN: 7:30 p.m. Tuesday.
WHERE: The Alex Theatre, 216 N. Brand Blvd., Glendale.
TICKETS: $6.50.
PHONE: 414-ALEX or Orchestra Manager Kathleen Kendall 247-6566.
