Rock out to Rachmaninoff

It’s a children’s concert that’s not just for parents any longer.

That’s the word Scot Jonte is trying to get out to the public about the Youth Orchestras of Charlottesville-Albemarle. The YOCA manager said the young musicians are creating high-quality music everyone can enjoy.

Listeners can judge for themselves at 7:30 p.m. Saturday during YOCA’s first concert of the season, which is being held in Monticello High School Auditorium. The program is designed to appeal to a range of musical tastes.

The Youth Orchestra, under the direction of Charles West, will perform a jazz number, “Blues for Orchestra,” composed by local trumpeter John D’earth. The orchestra also will accompany internationally acclaimed pianist Dmitri Shteinberg as he performs a movement from Rachmaninoff’s “Piano Concerto No. 2.”

The orchestra also will perform Bizet’s “L’Arlesienne” and Wagner’s “Prelude to Die Meistersinger.” The Rita M. Evans Orchestra will perform a program that will include “In the Fading Light of Autumn” and “Shaker Variants.”

“In the last couple of years our repertoire and the caliber of the orchestra [have] improved so much that people are realizing that it’s not just a concert for parents with children in the performance,” said Jonte, who has served as general manager of YOCA since 2004.

“Many of our musicians have gone on to attend well-known and respected music schools such as Juilliard. Right now, a couple of our members are playing with the Charlottesville [and] University Symphony [Orchestra].

“These kids are incredible, and they’re making wonderful music. We’re so absolutely fortunate to have the conductors and musical directors that we do who bring these young musicians to such a high level of proficiency.”

Founded in 1977, YOCA has been providing young musicians throughout the area the opportunity to participate in the challenging and enriching experience of being a member of a full orchestra, ensemble or musical group. What comes under the umbrella of YOCA is as impressive as the music provided by the musicians.

The Youth Orchestra is a full orchestra, consisting of young musicians who have reached a high level of proficiency. Jonte credits West, a professor of music at Virginia Commonwealth University, for drawing the best out of each musician.

“Doctor West pushes the orchestra members, which is wonderful,” Jonte said. “He stretches them, and they really rise to the occasion. It’s amazing what they’ve pulled off under his direction.”

The Rita M. Evans Orchestra also is a full orchestra, primarily of students of middle-school age. It’s conducted by Donald Brubaker, director of orchestras at Buford Middle School. Robert Dunnenberger, music teacher at Walker Upper Elementary School, coaches the winds and brass players.

“Don Brubaker and Doctor West are the perfect conductors for the age groups they’re with,” Jonte said. “Musicians must audition for the Youth Orchestra and for the Evans Orchestra, and we hold the auditions simultaneously.

“After the auditions a few years ago, I heard Doctor West say to Don Brubaker, ‘Oh, my goodness, I’m taking your whole first violin section.’

“Don looked at him and said, ‘Well, then, I’m doing my job.’ That so impressed me, and I think it shows what dedication we have with all our conductors and musical directors.”

YOCA begins nurturing and guiding young musicians almost from the time they choose an instrument. The Junior Strings Program is an ensemble currently consisting of 30 young musicians who are at the level of advanced beginners.

This program, designed to prepare youngsters for the Evans Orchestra, is directed by Alicia Tobin, who teaches music at Sutherland Elementary School. She also is an assistant to Laura Thomas, conductor of the Charlottesville High School String Orchestra.

Accomplished flutist Angela Kelly is the director of the Flute Ensemble. This group consists of several high school students who perform advanced and original flute choir repertoire.

There also is the Flute Choir, which has about a dozen musicians of high school age who perform advanced flute choir repertoire. Kelly and Wayla Chambo direct this group.

The Prelude Flute Choir, directed by Chambo, includes about 12 flutists with advanced beginning skills. This group is designed to prepare musicians for the Flute Choir.

The Clarinet Ensemble is directed by James Tobin. This is YOCA’s newest ensemble, and it provides clarinetists with the opportunity to perform classical and orchestral clarinet repertoire.

In conjunction with the season’s opening concert, Shteinberg will present a master class today from 4:30 to 6 p.m. in Monticello High School’s auditorium. This free event is open to the public.

“Mr. Shteinberg will be working with three students in particular during the class,” Jonte said of the assistant professor of piano at VCU.

“People will have the opportunity to talk with him afterward and ask questions.

“It should be very interesting and informative for pianists, as well as people who are music lovers and want to learn more about how music is created.”

YOCA will present “An Autumn Concert” at 7:30 p.m. Saturday in the auditorium of Monticello High School. Adult tickets are $10, free for those 18 and younger. Tickets will be available at the door. To learn more go to the Web site — http://www.yoca.org.