Evening of Classical Music Performers

Classical Finalists

Eunghee Cho

What sorts of sacrifices have you had to make in life to be such a good musician?

Until ninth grade, I had played soccer for 9 years. However, the moment I decided to audition for the San Francisco Symphony Youth Orchestra, I realized that I’d have to choose between music and my favorite sport.

How do you feel about the opportunity to play at the Mondavi Center?

Even though terror comes to mind first, I also can’t wait for the moment I sit in front of the orchestra on the same stage that my favorite musicians have and will forever play on.

If you could play with any musician, who would it be? Why?

Hilary Hahn would be the musician I’d wish to perform with. I dream of the opportunity to play with anybody of her caliber.

Who was your biggest influence?

My sister was probably my biggest influence. I always strove to be as good as her and express with my cello what she expressed with her violin.

What drew you to your instrument?

It was the pure beauty of the instrument that took a hold of me making sure that I’d never part from it or even contemplate the idea of life without music.

Margaux Filet

What sorts of sacrifices have you had to make in life to be such a good musician?

I have less time to spend with friends because I practice several hours per day. Since I really enjoy practicing, it isn’t a huge trade-off for me.

How do you feel about the opportunity to play at the Mondavi Center?

It’s an incredible honor to be on a stage where so many world-renowned musicians have performed.

What made you start playing?

I grew up listening to classical music and musicals. As I got older, I wanted to play the music and not just listen to a recording.

What drew you to the instrument?

I was drawn to the tone—it has a piercing quality that I fell in love with it almost immediately.

Why is music important in the world today?

Music is a common language that transcends cultures, politics and time.

Kiana Okhovat

What sorts of sacrifices have you had to make in life to be such a good musician?

One of them was mainly not being able to participate in a school sport, or being able to spend time with friends as much as I would like to. However, I don’t regret any of it.

How do you feel about the opportunity to play at the Mondavi Center?

I am extremely excited and am looking very forward to playing with an orchestra.

If you could play with any musician, who would it be? Why?

It would most likely be with Beethoven. Not only is he my favorite composer, but there is something very magical about his music.

What made you start playing?

There was always a piano in the house, and my family loved classical music.

Why is music important in the world today?

You can communicate so much through music—and that’s the magical part: communicating without words. It truly is a universal language that everyone can understand.

Classical Ensambles

Grant Union High School Drumline (T.A.P.)

Tantalizing Accurate Percussions are the words that are often used to describe the Grant Union High School Drumline. The drum line is made up of 13 to 15 members, and it is led by drum adviser/teacher and drummer James Van Buren (a.k.a. Mr. V). T.A.P. has played for Mayor Kevin Johnson, kicked off last year’s SN&R anniversary party, is the official drum line for the Sacramento Mountain Lions, was featured on Fox 40 right after the 2011 Super Bowl, featured on CBS 13 Good Day Sacramento with Mark S. Allen, was the February 28, Half-Time Show for the Sacramento Kings, played for Carnegie Hall composer Thomas Cabaniss, and is currently involved in the Carnegie Hall Sacramento Link Up program.

Rio Americano High School Honors Concert Band

The Rio Americano Honors Concert Band was the first class of its kind in California to receive honors credit. It is one of seven large ensembles offered at Rio Americano High School, in a program containing more than 180 students. The audition-only ensemble features the finest musicians the program has to offer, performing everything from concert-band classics to contemporary masterpieces. Under the direction of Joshua Murray and Maxwell Kiesner, the HCB has traveled to Australia, Argentina and China, and in 2012, will visit Spain for yet another concert tour.

Sacramento Children’s Chorus

Now in its 18th season, the Sacramento Children’s Chorus is the region’s premier youth choral ensemble, enjoying both critical recognition and broad audience acclaim. The singers representing five counties in the area perform a wide variety of modern and traditional works with numerous pieces reflecting languages and cultures from around the world.

SCC presents three seasonal concerts each year and has performed with the Sacramento Choral Society & Orchestra, Sacramento Ballet and Sacramento Opera, as well as at the Sacramento Jazz Festivals. Other noteworthy civic performances include the opening games of the Sacramento River Cats, the memorial services of Rep. Robert Matsui and Mayor Joe Serna Jr., the inaugurations of Gov. Gray Davis and Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, the opening of the 2009-2010 legislative session, and the grand opening of the new Crocker Art Museum. The Sacramento Children’s Chorus is directed by Lynn Stevens.

Christian Brothers High School Jazz Group (CB City Rhythm)

CB City Rhythm, a 12-member vocal jazz ensemble from Christian Brothers High School, is currently in its ninth year of existence. Under the direction of Holly Slabbinck, this ensemble has been invited to sing as guest performers at various venues in the Sacramento area. Its most notable performances include the 2005 Jammies at the UC Davis Mondavi Center, Christmas at the Governor’s Mansion, in concert with American River College’s vocal jazz ensemble and the College of the Siskiyous Jazz/Show Choir. It has also participated and received command performance awards in music festivals such as the Reno Jazz Festival, Santa Cruz Jazz Festival, Sacramento State Winter Jazz Festival and Delta Jazz Festival at San Joaquin Delta College. The group will be releasing a CD of the music of the 2010-2011 school year in May.

Holmes Junior High Orchestra

The Holmes Junior High Orchestra program in Davis consists of the seventh-grade Intermediate Orchestra and the eighth- and ninth-grade Advanced Orchestra. Holmes students from both orchestras meet daily for in-class rehearsals and participate in an active performance schedule throughout the school year. The Holmes Orchestra program is also part of a broader secondary school orchestra program in the Davis schools consisting of a total of six junior-high orchestras that feed into Davis Senior High School, which has three orchestras. The Holmes orchestras perform under the direction of Angelo Moreno. Moreno is a graduate of UC Davis where he received his Bachelor of Arts and Master of Arts in orchestral conducting under the direction of Dr. D. Kern Holoman in the fall of 2002. During his time at UC Davis, Mr. Moreno served as principal second violin and was a loyal orchestra member for six years. Mr. Moreno is a former member of the Napa Valley Philharmonic in which he served as concert master and soloist. In 2009, SN&R honored Mr. Moreno at the Jammies concert with the Sacramento Music Educators Outstanding Achievement Award. Most recently, DownBeat magazine recognized Mr. Moreno and his Combined Junior High Advanced Orchestra in June 2010 as the Best Classical Ensemble in a nationwide search.

Sacramento State Symphony Orchestra

All concerto soloist winners at the Evening of Classical Music event on May 7, 2011, at the Mondavi Center, will be accompanied by the Sacramento State Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Leo Eylar.

The department of music has a long and impressive history of presenting quality performances to the city and region. By offering more than 25 years of outstanding performances at the Festival of New American Music and by presenting concerts and recitals by a distinguished faculty and excellent performing groups, the department has assumed a leadership role in the musical life of California.