Youth symphony celebrates 8th year Saturday

Roger Melone, resident conductor of the New Mexico Symphony Orchestra, makes a rare appearance in the Chicago suburbs Saturday, when he leads the Metropolis Youth Symphony in its eighth anniversary concert.

He will conduct the young musicians in a pair of orchestra standards, Dvorak's Symphony No. 9 "From the New World," and Gounod's "Ballet Music from Faust," before turning the baton over to his former student, Javier Mendoza, Metropolis Youth Symphony conductor.

The anniversary concert take place at 3 p.m. Saturday at the Metropolis Performing Arts Centre, 111 W. Campbell St. in Arlington Heights.

Mendoza, now in his third season as conductor of the Metropolis Youth Symphony, studied privately under Melone while completing his graduate work at the University of New Mexico in Albuquerque.

"It's not every youth orchestra that has the good fortune of playing under the conductor of his stature," Mendoza says. "He conducts a large, regional symphony orchestra, so to have him here working with our young people, is a thrill."

Combining with the 40 Metropolis Youth Symphony members will be 25 players from the West Suburban Youth Orchestra, whose members come from throughout the western suburbs and rehearse in La Grange.

Along with playing under Melone, they also will premiere an original work, "Adagio et Moderato," composed by Christopher Matthews, and commissioned specifically for the Metropolis Youth Symphony.

Mendoza says musicians in both orchestras enjoy playing the work, with its modern, contemporary sound.

"It's two sections, with the first section featuring a slow and expressive movement with lots of exposed piano parts," Mendoza says, "leading to a second section with a much thicker score."

Since taking over the reins of the Metropolis Youth Symphony in 2005, Mendoza has designed his concerts to feature a mix of classical works and new compositions, all in an effort to inspire his musicians to reach new heights.

He describes Saturday's concert as more of the same, which has served to excite and challenge his players, who range in age from middle school through high school.

"There has been lots of excitement and anticipation in preparing for this concert," Mendoza says. "It's been very challenging, but in a good way.

"It's sort of a culmination," Mendoza adds, "of my three years here, and it features everything I've wanted to do for these young players."

If you go

What: Metropolis Youth Symphony presents its eighth anniversary concert

When: 3 p.m. on Saturday

Where: Metropolis Performing Arts Centre, 111 W. Campbell St. in Arlington Heights

Cost: $15 for adults or $10 for children 12 and under

Call: (847) 577-2121 or visit www.metropolisarts.com