Young American and Czech musicians to share the stage this Saturday in Chester
Chester - The County Youth Symphony will perform its spring concert this Saturday afternoon at Chester High School with students from the Jan Janus Music School from Prague in the Czech Republic. Last February, at the invitation of Jan Janus Music School, 38 students of the Orange County Youth Symphony and their music conductors, Huadong Lu and Richard Regan, made an unforgettable performance trip to the Czech Republic. During the seven-day trip, the American and Prague students rehearsed together in the morning for several hours and then went out to explore the city in the afternoon. Prague has the reputation as one of the most beautiful cities in Europe. Every day, the American students enjoyed the Prague architecture, culture and the delicious food, as well as the friendships of the Jan Janus Music school students and teachers. “It was the best week of my life,” said Emma Rainoff, concertmistress of the Youth Symphony and a senior at Monroe-Woodbury High School. As a cultural exchange program, the students from the Jan Janus Music School received a grant from the Czech government and are coming to perform with the County Youth Symphony. They will be here from June 17 to 24 and will stay with OCYS host families in Orange County for two days. The Prague students and their teachers will stay in New York City during the last few days of their trip to explore American culture. Music by Czech (Smetana, and Dvorak) and American (Gershwin, and Bernstein) composers will be featured. The concert is open to the public. Essential information The Orange County Youth Symphony will perform its spring concert with students from the Jan Janus Music School, Prague, Czech Republic, at 3 p.m. on Saturday, June 18, at the Chester High School auditorium, 64 Hambletonian Ave., Chester. Admission: $15 for adults; $8 for students and seniors. Tickets are on sale at the door at 2:15 p.m. To learn more about OCYS and its 2011 full orchestra summer camps, visit its Web site at http://ocysny.org.