Philadelphia Youth Orchestra celebrates its 65th Anniversary with a benefit Gala Dinner and Concert at The Union League of Philadelphia
The concert will feature Philadelphia Orchestra Co-Concertmaster William dePasquale and Philadelphia Youth Orchestra Concertmaster Francesca dePasquale, his daughter, performing Bach's Concerto for Two Violins
Philadelphia - March 7, 2005
Music Director Joseph Primavera conducts the Philadelphia Youth Orchestra in a concert serving as the centerpiece of an evening celebrating the orchestra's 65th season on Friday, April 8, in Lincoln Hall at The Union League of Philadelphia. The concert features Philadelphia Orchestra Co-Concertmaster William dePasquale and his daughter, Philadelphia Youth Orchestra Concertmaster Francesca dePasquale. The concert begins at 9:00 p.m.
Gala events of the evening, organized by the Gala Committee of the orchestra's Advisory Board, include a pre-concert cocktail reception and dinner at The Union League. The Annual Anniversary Gala is one of the Philadelphia Youth Orchestra's primary fundraising events.
The Gala Concert program will open with the Prelude from Humperdinck's Hansel and Gretel, followed by Dvorák's Romance and Stravinsky's Firebird Suite. Featured performers William and Francesca dePasquale will conclude the concert with Bach's Concerto for Two Violins.
A member of an exceptional musical family, William dePasquale began his violin studies at age seven with his father in his native Philadelphia. He studied at The Curtis Institute of Music and made his debut as soloist with The Philadelphia Orchestra as a student audition winner under the baton of Eugene Ormandy. In 1963, he joined The Philadelphia Orchestra and three seasons later became Associate Concertmaster. In 1999, he was named Co-Concertmaster. He has appeared as a soloist with the Orchestra and teaches at Temple University's Esther Boyer College of Music and the New York State School of Orchestral Studies. Playing with family, says Mr. dePasquale, is uniquely rewarding. "We understand each other musically and have the same feeling for musical phrasing." Most importantly, "We're a family doing it together, and that's what it's all about."
This will be Mr. dePasquale's last year as a full-time member of The Philadelphia Orchestra. After this season, he plans to commit more time to teaching through his private studio, and as one of the Philadelphia Youth Orchestra's principal coaches. Mr. dePasquale and PYO Music Director Joseph Primavera have a long-standing, close relationship, having grown up on the same street in South Philadelphia, and played together in The Philadelphia Orchestra prior to Mr. Primavera's retirement.
Francesca dePasquale began studying violin just before her third birthday at The Academy of Community Music run by her aunt and uncle, Ellen Fisher and Robert dePasquale. By seven, she was performing regularly at the Friends of Chamber Music in Reading, Pennsylvania, The Villanova University Chamber Series, The Philadelphia Orchestra's Sound All Around program, and WXPN's Kids' Korner radio program. She has toured Spain with The Main Line Chamber Orchestra, appearing as a concertmaster and soloist at age nine. Francesca joined the Philadelphia Young Artists Orchestra at 11, and the Philadelphia Youth Orchestra at 13. She still remembers her first orchestral rehearsal with the PYAO because of the impact it had on her. Her years with PYO, she says, have helped her understand and appreciate what her parents do in The Philadelphia Orchestra. For Francesca, the upcoming duet is a wonderful opportunity. "It's so great to play with someone who has as much experience as he (her father) does. And we both play Peresson violins, both of which were made for him….Both have an amazing sound, but each is different in its own way, kind of like him and me."
Events preceding the Gala Concert include a cocktail reception at 7:00 p.m. and dinner at 8:15 p.m. for all attendees. Both are catered by The Union League of Philadelphia. Individual tickets for the evening are $185 and include two box seats in Verizon Hall for the Annual Festival Concert on May 8. Sponsorships breakdown as follows:
FRIEND - a contribution of $750 - includes 2 tickets to the Gala (April 8) and 4 box seats in Verizon Hall for the Annual Festival Concert (May 8).
BRONZE - a contribution of $1,500 - includes 4 tickets to the Gala, 4 box seats in Verizon Hall for the Annual Festival Concert, 10 Concert tickets donated to sponsor's designated youth charity or organization under the sponsor's name, and a half-page ad in the Annual Festival Concert Program Book.
SILVER - a contribution of $3,000 - includes 8 tickets (1 table) to the Gala, 6 box seats in Verizon Hall for the Annual Festival Concert, 20 Concert tickets donated to sponsor's designated youth charity or organization under the sponsor's name, and a half-page ad in the Annual Festival Concert Program Book.
GOLD - a contribution of $5,000 - includes 10 tickets (1 table) to the Gala, 8 box seats in Verizon Hall for the Annual Festival Concert, recognition on all Gala and Concert advertising, print and media, as an event Gold sponsor, 20 Concert tickets donated to sponsor's designated youth charity or organization under the sponsor's name, 10 Concert tickets for (corporate) sponsor's employees, and a full-page ad in the Annual Festival Concert Program Book.
PLATINUM - a contribution of $10,000 - includes tickets (2 tables) to the Gala, 10 box seats in Verizon Hall for the Annual Festival Concert, top billing and recognition on all Gala and Concert advertising, print and media, as the event Platinum underwriter, 50 Concert tickets donated to sponsor's designated youth charity or organization under the sponsor's name, 20 Concert tickets for (corporate) sponsor's employees, and a center-spread ad in the Annual Festival Concert Program Book.
The Gala is generously sponsored by Citizens Bank, The Haverford Trust Company, BPG Properties, Ltd., Realen Properties, Drs. Robert Day and Trude Haecker, Alison and Ravi Kothare, Robert and Sandra Kugler, Mr. and Mrs. Mark R. Nicoletti, Mr. and Mrs. James J. Maguire, Walter Palitz and Elizabeth Albert, Alice and Walter Strine, Esqs., Jung Ja Kwon and Rick Touhill. The evening's festivities are organized and presented by the Gala Committee of the Philadelphia Youth Orchestra Advisory Board. This committee of intrepid volunteers includes Dr. Joni Antar, Anne Hagan, Holly T. Reynolds, Linda S. Schantz, Alice W. Strine, Esq., Kathryn Warhol, and Deborah Webster. It is through their efforts, as well as all who contribute time and energy to the program, that the Philadelphia Youth Orchestra is able to present events of this scope and magnitude.
Philadelphia Youth Orchestra 2005 Gala Dinner and Concert
Schedule of Events
Friday, April 8, 2005 - The Union League of Philadelphia - 140 South Broad Street
7:00 p.m. Cocktail reception in The Union League's Library Lounge and Library for all attendees
8:15 p.m. Dinner in The Union League's Lincoln Hall for all attendees
9:00 p.m. 65th Anniversary Gala Concert - The Union League's Lincoln Hall
Philadelphia Youth Orchestra
Joseph Primavera, conductor
William dePasquale, violin
Francesca dePasquale, violin
Humperdinck "Prelude" from Hansel and Gretel
Dvorák Romance
Stravinsky Firebird Suite (1919 version)
Bach Concerto for Two Violins, BWV 1043
Individual tickets: $185
For information on sponsorship or to order tickets call: 215.545.0502
Black Tie
Founded in 1939, the Philadelphia Youth Orchestra has offered the opportunity for gifted and talented students to be involved in extraordinary music education through its orchestra training and performance programs. It is one of the oldest youth orchestras in the country. Its companion ensembles include the Philadelphia Young Artists Orchestra, formed in 1996, and Bravo Brass, added to the program in 2003. Ranging in age from 10 through 21 years, the musicians of the three ensembles are selected by competitive audition and come from the Delaware Valley and beyond. The Philadelphia Youth Orchestra has represented the United States on five continents and has visited over 20 countries including China, Russia, Australia, Great Britain, Jordan, Israel, Brazil, and Venezuela, and has traveled to most of the countries in Eastern and Central Europe. There are alumni of the orchestra in almost all of the top 20 professional US orchestras, 16 in The Philadelphia Orchestra alone.
Joseph Primavera assumed the podium in 1954, and now enjoys the longest continuous tenure of any active conductor in the world. This season, Mr. Primavera celebrates his 51st Anniversary as Music Director and Conductor. He has introduced over 2,500 young musicians to the works of more than 150 composers, led them in more than 300 concerts and 35 premiere performances, and guided the overseas tours that have established the orchestra's international reputation.
Mr. Primavera's conducting credits include performances with the London Philharmonic Orchestra, Rome Festival Opera, Beijing Opera/Ballet Orchestra, and Opera Barga in Lucca, Italy. He has served as music director of Telitalia Cable-TV Network (Italian National Radio), Delaware Valley Philharmonic, Sunshine Pops Orchestra (Orlando, FL), Cherry Hill (NJ) Symphony, Old York Road Symphony (PA), and Frankford Symphony (PA). He has also directed several chamber music series at the University of Pennsylvania, University Museum, and Temple University, and served as music director for films and television specials, including a CBS series featuring The Philadelphia Orchestra.
Mr. Primavera was a violist in The Philadelphia Orchestra from 1950 to 1967. In 1960, he received the Orchestra's coveted C. Hartman Kuhn Award for "musical ability and enterprise of such character as to enhance the standards and reputation of the Orchestra." He retired after 17 years to devote himself to conducting and teaching.
The Philadelphia Youth Orchestra's relationship with The Union League of Philadelphia began in 1994, when the orchestra was invited to participate in The League's Lincoln Day festivities. In 2002 the orchestra was invited to participate in the 140th Anniversary of the founding of The Union League. The orchestra took part in an evening honoring Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O'Connor with The League's Gold Medal Award in November 2004.