Professional musicians to join Youth Symphony for a benefit concert
For conductor Meng-Kong Tham, classical music is one of the best parts of Western culture.
Maybe that's why he has spent more than 30 years directing student musicians for the Youth Symphony of DuPage.
"(I'm) watching young people participating in, learning and maintaining the cultural legacy of Western civilization," Tham said. "I find them very inspiring … I just love it."
He invites others to experience the musicians' work at the group's Spring Benefit Concert this weekend.
The Symphony Orchestra, made up of high school students, performs at 3 p.m. Sunday at North Central College's Pfieffer Hall, 310 E. Benton Ave., Naperville.
Tickets are $10 at the door and seating will be on a first-come, first-served basis.
Three professional musicians will perform with the students Sunday.
"It's going to be a concert worth way more than you're paying for," said first violin Phoebe Benich, a sophomore at Glenbard West High School. "It's like a symphony concert with real professionals, only it's a lot cheaper and more available."
Concert-goers normally would have to visit Chicago to hear flutist Mary Stolper, cellist William Cernota or keyboardist Mary Sauer perform.
The professional musicians play for several prestigious groups, including the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, the Lyric Opera of Chicago and Grant Park Symphony.
They also are longtime colleague's of Tham's, and he says their participation is a great opportunity for the students to witness professional artistry and play more challenging music.
"We intend this to be an inspiration and also excitement for the kids," Tham said. "These are pieces that we would not be able to do on our own. It's much more difficult."
Tham says his musicians are up to the challenge. For decades, he has witnessed youth who are dedicated to music despite social distractions.
"They can waste two hours so easily by hanging out at the mall or … doing video games," Tham said. "So any student who would pick up an instrument and have to spend time and a lot of patience and hard work to keep at it is not an easy thing."
But it's not just their effort and dedication Tham applauds. He says he has heard these young artists create beautiful music.
"This is not an easy thing to do, to make music," he said. "When they can succeed to do that, I think people should be very supportive and proud."
Tham is a faculty member of the DePaul University's School of Music. He was musically educated at the Normal University of Taiwan and Northwestern University.
The youth symphony, which formed in 1963, presents up to three concerts a year. The group has two levels -- Symphony Orchestra for high school and Preparatory Orchestra for younger students.
For details or to purchase tickets, call (630) 415-3395 or visit ysdp.org.
If you go
What: The Symphony Orchestra of the Youth Symphony of DuPage performs a benefit concert.
When: 3 p.m. Sunday
Where: North Central College's Pfeiffer Hall, 310 E. Benton Ave., Naperville.
Cost: $10