Sonoma County Turns Out to Wish SRSYO Musicians Bon Voyage

Concertgoers line up ahead of the SRSYO's Bon Voyage Concert
Saturday, June 16, 2108 in Weill Hall at the Green Music Center.
Photo: Colin Talcroft

Already an hour before showtime, a substantial line of concertgoers eager to hear the SRSYO's Bon Voyage Concert had formed in front of the doors to Weill Hall at Sonoma State University's Green Music Center on June 16, 2018—three days ahead of the Youth Orchestra's departure for Europe.

The well received program included works by Brahms, Gloria Coates, Heitor Villa-Lobos, Jason Eckl, Leonard Bernstein, Franz Liszt, Edvard Grieg, and Johann Strauss, Jr. The Youth Orchestra gave the Coates composition its world premiere.

Before the concert, we talked with patrons, musicians, and parents of some of the musicians. Shania Harsono (flute) suggested she was ready for the concert (and the Europe tour), saying "We're prepared. We've put in a lot of hours. I think it's going to be a great show!" Leslie Perlman, parent of Kelsey Perlman (viola), said her daughter seems excited about both the concerts and the other tour activities, such as the planned visit to a salt mine near Salzburg. Mr. Robert Raful and his wife Suzy have no direct connections to the Youth Orchestra, but Suzy has a twin sister in Budapest they hope will get to see the YO's concert there. Mr. Raful said "We're Santa Rosa Symphony season ticket holders, we like the music, and read the story [about the tour]: We wanted to come out to see them off!" Mr. and Mrs. Raful, along with a concert hall full of people did just that. 

Next stop: Europe.