The Chicago Youth Symphony Orchestras (CYSO) celebrated its 70th anniversary Feb. 11 at the Four Seasons Chicago. Over 320 supporters attended the formal event, themed “0070th,” which featured one of the nation’s premier youth orchestras performing iconic music from the James Bond films. International concert violinist Rachel Barton Pine and philanthropist Jennifer Myerberg were honored with 2017 Note of Excellence Awards.
As guests arrived, CYSO Preparatory Strings students (ages 7-9) performed on the grand staircase. A reception included a mini-live auction and a lively percussion demonstration by CYSO’s Steel Orchestras students.
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When doors opened to the Grand Ballroom, partygoers were greeted by the 120-member CYSO Symphony Orchestra — comprising high school students who are advanced musicians — stretching wall to wall. Music conductor Allen Tinkham opened the program with “James Bond Theme,” which premiered in the 1962 film “Dr. No.”
Film critic Richard Roeper served as master of ceremonies and welcomed guests. He presented a short clip from the Bond film “Live and Let Die” to illustrate the importance of music in films. He closed with a toast to the CYSO for “being able to provide music education and training to Chicago area youth for 70 years.”
CYSO board Chair Henry Turner introduced incoming Executive Director Susan Lape, who spoke about the effect music has had on her life. “Music is where I found myself. It’s where I learned discipline, self-confidence, empathy and collaboration. These lessons are critically important to our ability to work together in an increasingly complex world, and helping students develop these skills is central to what we do here at CYSO.” She added, “We have roughly 600 students, ages 6 to 18, and a huge range of ensembles. One hundred percent of these students end up going to college or university. We know we’re building the future leaders of our country and beyond.”
During the program, John Schladweiler, a board of trustees member, made his conducting debut with the song “Goldfinger.” He won the honor as an auction prize at last year’s gala, which included lessons with conductor Tinkham. This year’s winner, Doug Carroll, paid $5,000 for the opportunity. The live auction raised $86,400 for the organization’s scholarship fund.
Co-chairs Pam and Dave Conroy and Rachel Lang and Tinkham presented the Note of Excellence Awards to Pine and Myerberg, a longtime supporter and board of trustees member. Myerberg was recognized for her ongoing support of CYSO’s Steel Orchestras program through her family’s foundation, The Alvin & Louise Myerberg Family Foundation. Pine was acknowledged for her work with the Rachel Barton Pine Foundation, a nonprofit that expands awareness and appreciation for classical music.
“I do what I do because I believe in the power of music to touch the soul, to change lives, to uplift and heal, to teach and bring people together,” said Pine.
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For the evening’s finale, she performed hits from Bond films on her electric violin, alongside CYSO’s Symphony Orchestra. They included “Writings on the Wall” from “Spectre,” and “Skyfall” and “Live and Let Die” from films by the same titles.
The gala raised more than $365,000 to benefit CYSO’s music training and education programs.
Freelance writer Candace Jordan is involved with many local organizations, including some whose events she covers.
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Find more photos and events at www.chicagotribune.com/candidcandace. Visit Candid Candace’s website at www.candidcandace.com, or follow her on Twitter @CandidCandace.
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