Annual AMERICAN Report YOUTH 2015/16 SYMPHONY Concert Season Come as you are. Leave Inspired.

New Music Our Mission, Our Our Our Fiscal Alumni AYS Our Our Director! Our Vision Programs Events Audience Responsibility Spotlights Testimonials Tea m Supporters I am incredibly honored and excited to become Music Society, and London Schools Symphony the next Music Director of the American Youth Orchestra, to name a few. And it is because of this Symphony, an ensemble with a deep history and belief that I cherish the opportunity to contribute a bright future in the great city of . to the future of classical music by taking what I view as the natural next step in the progression of my I come to AYS as a dedicated musician who journey and my life -- the . after years of experience as a regular guest conductor across five continents, a concert cellist, I am thrilled to begin guiding our musicians both and a composer, looks forward to working with off-stage and on for my inaugural concert season in today’s most talented young musicians. I’m also 2016/17. Featuring several major classical works, the the Music Director of the Alabama Symphony repertoire prepares AYS musicians for the demands Orchestra, a husband, and father of three little kids. of a 21st century professional orchestra. Such giants as Mozart and Korngold need no introduction, and Having grown up in Caracas in a musical household has I was particularly excited to kick off the season with certainly been instrumental in my choice to become Mahler’s Symphony No. 1 on October 16, and look both a musician and a passionate advocate of the forward to joining electric-guitar icon Steve Vai on- arts. My father is a respected conductor and music stage at Walt Disney Concert Hall on March 11 for a educator in and my mother is an artistic concert that features Stravinsky’s The Rite of Spring! administrator and fundraiser. They encouraged me Whether you’re a dyed-by-the-wool aficionado or a from an early age to work hard as a musician, but also classical music newcomer, a fan of music in general or to experience the world and see how the arts have even a videogamer (check out what we have planned been an instrument for positive change. When I heard for February 12!), there is something for audiences about AYS and its longstanding commitment to culture across all music backgrounds this concert season. and social outreach, I knew it would be a unique opportunity to continue Maestro ’s mission. Every bright future is built on a solid foundation, and it is in that spirit that we share this Annual Report and our AYS is a place for great musical talents to unite and many success during the 2015/16 concert season. As experience the high demands of the professional world a valued member and contributor to our community, while forging lifelong friendships in a highly competitive please know that it is through your support of and environment. The talent, focus, and precision of AYS belief in our mission that we are able to mentor the musicians have moved me beyond words. Their spirit musical minds of tomorrow and to put a rich, beautiful and tenacity, their musical vivacity, and the fresh art form within reach of all audiences. Together, we perspective they take to their exploration of riveting have made the American Youth Symphony a truly orchestral works inspire and invigorate classical inspirational force in the world of classical music. music audiences new and seasoned alike. As an elite Fellowship training orchestra that fosters enriching Please take a moment to read through our Annual mentorship relationships, AYS and I share a firm Report so that you may better understand the belief in the familial responsibility that binds each remarkable impact that your generosity has had. successive cohort of musicians and our community. It is because of this belief in a musical family that I have With sincerest gratitude, worked tirelessly to support the next generation of musicians by having collaborated with leading music education institutions such as Venezuela’s El Sistema, Colombia’s National Youth Symphony, ’s Neojiba, Carlos Izcaray Interlochen Center for the Arts, Cambridge University Music Director

New Music Our Mission, Our Our Our Fiscal Alumni AYS Our Our Director! Our Vision Programs Events Audience Responsibility Spotlights Testimonials Tea m Supporters WHO WE The American Youth Symphony’s mission is to inspire the future of classical music. We share exceptional, innovative concerts for free or significantly reduced admission based on our landmark Fellowship program ARE for musicians ages 15-27. Competitively selected, our orchestra is comprised of 100 musicians who represent extraordinary talent from all over the world. By gifting our community with remarkable concerts at world- class venues, we remain committed to creating access and opportunity for everyone to experience the inspiration of this beautiful art form. WHAT WE BELIEVE Access to world-class classical music Fellowships should be based solely on merit, not financial means. Exceptional quality orchestral performances should be accessible to all members of the community. Classical music is not only alive and vibrant, but is relevant to all audiences. Musicians have a responsibility to be engaged citizens in the communities they serve.

New Music Our Mission, Our Our Our Fiscal Alumni AYS Our Our Director! Our Vision Programs Events Audience Responsibility Spotlights Testimonials Tea m Supporters Share-A-Stand The American Youth Symphony’s in-school music and mentoring program is now serving twice as many schools, and three times as many students! From performance technique to theory to composition, Share-A-Stand provides students with hands-on musical instruction and is offered at such Title 1 LAUSD schools as Markham Middle School in Watts and Robert Frost Middle School in Granada Hills. AYS musicians mentor Share-A-Stand participants on everything from how to hold a bow, to maintaining a successful practice routine, to how to analyze favorite songs, and more. In addition to a year-end concert given at the Share-A- Stand host school and featuring a side-by-side with AYS musicians, the program provides participants and their families with free transportation to two AYS concerts per season. The Orchestra The American Youth Symphony is a musical laboratory where Fellows not only master their parts and develop a deep understanding of musical scores, but also acquire the flexibility, creativity and leadership skills necessary to succeed as 21st century orchestral musicians and as musician citizens within their community. With a 10% acceptance rate and an average of three audition attempts per musician, positions in the orchestra are extremely competitive. Fellows represent between 25-35 different schools and perform eight concerts per season between September and May. Each Fellow receives a tuition-free scholarship and a per-concert stipend, performs at renowned venues such as and Walt Disney Concert Hall, and works alongside world-class guest artists such as Daníel Bjarnason, Anna Clyne, , , , , , Charles Fox, and Lera Auerbach.

New Music Our Mission, Our Our Our Fiscal Alumni AYS Our Our Director! Our Vision Programs Events Audience Responsibility Spotlights Testimonials Tea m Supporters From exclusive Members’ Priority ...to performances... post-concert Members’ Priority Concert, May 7 2016 Members’ Priority Concert reception, May 7 2016 receptions.

From themed, pre-concert ...to dinners... live-to-picture movie events.

Hollywood Project dinner, September 27, 2015 Star Trek Into Darkness Live-to-Picture, September 27, 2015

From intimate Q&A’s with award- winning composers...... to

Pre-concert Q&A with composer Michael Giacchino, September 27, 2015 51st Annual Gala, April 1, 2016 annual galas... AYS concertgoers know how to have a good time!

New Music Our Mission, Our Our Our Fiscal Alumni AYS Our Our Director! Our Vision Programs Events Audience Responsibility Spotlights Testimonials Tea m Supporters TTAL AL NT SVATNS (NT SASNS 20121 20116) 12000 (10, 527)* (9,518) 10000 (9,235) 1,954 unique accounts 52% increase 1,745 unique accounts 8000

6000 (5,002) 100 of Sept 2 postconcert surey respondents indicated that they would consider returning for a future AS performance 4000 2012/13 2013/14 2014/15 2015/16

22% 20% 53% of 2015/16 51% of audience 53% of 2015-16 30% members during the 30% audience members 7/8 (88%) 2015/16 concert season concert season identified as P.O.C. of concerts sold out were years of age 47% audience members under 40 45% Asian, Pacific Islander during the Under 30 years of age were first-time Black, African American 53% 2015-16 season 30-39 years of age classical concert Hispanic, Latino (based on ticket 40-59 years of age attendees Multiracial 2% reservations) Over 59 years of age (via data from online White, Caucasian 29% surveys) 12% 21% 88% 11%

New Music Our Mission, Our Our Our Fiscal Alumni AYS Our Our Director! Our Vision Programs Events Audience Responsibility Spotlights Testimonials Tea m Supporters STATMNT F FNANAL PSTN LIABILITIES FY 14/15 FY 13/14 Accounts Payable and Accrued Expenses $9,512 $26,988 Line of Credit $17,045 ASSETS FY 14/15 FY 13/14 Cash and Cash Equivalents $156,505 $69,154 TOTAL LIABILITIES $9,512 $44,033 Investments $103,692 $103,311 Contributions Receivable, Net $434,600 $440,729 NET ASSETS FY 14/15 FY 13/14 Other Receivables $800 $1,125 Unrestricted $159,426 $26,639 Other Assets $2,707 $2,564 Temporarily Restricted $438,292 $449,964 Equipment, Net $8,926 $3,753 Permanently Restricted $100,000 $100,000 TOTAL ASSETS $707,230 $620,363 TOTAL NET ASSETS $697,718 $576,603 TOTAL LIABILITIES & ASSETS $707,230 $620,636 AN VN PNSS F2012F201 SS F VN (F201)

FM STATMNT F FNANAL PSTN 22%

1,100,000 Individual Contributions Government Income $1,043,574 37% $1,043,955 Tot a l Revenue Expenses Corporate Grants Earned Income 4% (excluding interest/ Foundation Grants Events 2% dividend income, 1,000,000 investment losses) $922,225$922,840 2% 900,000 PAMS 33% $804,393 AMNSTATV STS 800,000 (F201) 20% $674,446 $680,660 700,000 $653,837 $628,584 Program Services $922,840 Tot a l 600,000 Administrative and Fundraising Costs

80% 500,000 2012 2013 2014 2015

New Music Our Mission, Our Our Our Fiscal Alumni AYS Our Our Director! Our Vision Programs Events Audience Responsibility Spotlights Testimonials Tea m Supporters Former AYS timpanist Steven Logan was recently In addition to the numerous alumni who have matriculated into named Principal Timpani with the Auckland esteemed higher education institutions in recent years, such as Philharmonia Orchestra! the Curtis Institute of Music, the Juilliard School and Yale, we celebrate these recent, incredible accomplishments: “Performing with the American Youth Symphony was an experience Ben Adler (Clarinetist 2014 - 2015) I will always take with me wherever Milwaukee Symphony, Assistant Principal, 2nd and E-flat Clarinet I go. When I think back on my time playing in the orchestra, my first Nigel Armstrong (Concertmaster, 2009 – 2011) thought is of how emotional each Santa Cruz Symphony, Concertmaster performance was. Anything in life is at its highest emotional state when Stefani Feldman (Clarinetist 2014 - 2015) being experienced for the first time, 2016 Fulbright Scholar and with the age of the players of the orchestra, each concert is a first time Matthew Howard (Percussionist 2009 - 2012) opportunity. The competitiveness , Principal Percussion of the audition process and the Philip Marten (Concertmaster 2015 - 2016) age of the musicians guarantees Kansas City Symphony, First Violin you will take part in a performance that marries masterful playing with Simone Porter (Violin, 2011 - 2013) youthful excitement. Coming to an 2015 Avery Fisher Career Grant American Youth Symphony concert offers a one of a kind take on works Katherine Velasquez (Flute, 2015-2016) you may have heard many times Midland Odessa Symphony, Principal Flute before and an inspired introduction to those that you haven’t.” Current members and alumni have also won numerous competitions, including the Fischoff Competition, Irving M. Klein --Steven Logan, timpanist International String Competition, Sphinx Competition, and the (2013 - 2016) Tchaikovsky International Competition.

AYS musicians, including soloist and alumnus Simone Porter, perform alongside

Simone Porter Simone Armstrong Nigel Velasquez Katherine Mo. Gustavo Dudamel at the AFI Lifetime Achievement Awards, May 2016

New Music Our Mission, Our Our Our Fiscal Alumni AYS Our Our Director! Our Vision Programs Events Audience Responsibility Spotlights Testimonials Tea m Supporters “gorgeous” “stirring”“stirring” “gorgeous” “accomplished” “beautiful & “remarkable”“remarkable” “accomplished” YOUR “beautiful & “emotional” DON’T “emotional” haunting” “top-notch” SUPPORT haunting” “top-notch” JUST

HAS TAKE

REAL OUR

IMPACT “the finest youth symphony on earth” WORD “the finest youth symphony on earth” FOR IT “I had the opportunity to solo with the Paganini concerto [with AYS] when “The American Youth Symphony, led by David Alan Miller, gave a I was 16... [It] absolutely transformed me as a player and a person.” remarkable performance of ‘Heaven Earth Mankind’... they embraced the -- Simone Porter, violin (2011-2013) work’s formidable demands with winning virtuosity, producing rich-hued “I have played in countless orchestras in my life, but none have made me sonorities.” feel as inspired and proud as AYS.” -- The LA Times on sold-out performace at -- Emma McAllister, violin (2014-present) Walt Disney Concert Hall (March 14, 2016)

“A group like AYS has the power to keep music alive.” “Gustavo Dudamel conducted members of the American Youth Symphony -- Audience member (September 27, 2015) in a stirring rendition of Williams’ theme from Schindler’s List.” “...getting to have such an amazing night out with my husband was such a -- Variety Magazine on AYS tribute blessing. What you do is amazing! Thank you so much!” to John Williams (June 10, 2016) -- Audience member (September 27, 2015) “The American Youth Symphony stands high, mastering the challenge of “Thank you AYS for coming. The music was beautiful and you all inspired performing film music with all its unconventional meters and rhythms.Don’t me to want to go to college and study music. You make me want to play be deceived by the label of ‘youth’ orchestra; the AYS is the real deal.” music for the rest of my life!.” -- Justin Craig, -- Student (Markham Middle School) Film Score Monthly

“This is my daughter’s first concert. Mine too. She’s only in kindergarten, “[AYS] is the finest youth symphony on Earth.” but I guess I’ve already given her a better life than I started out with.” -- Jim Svejda, KUSC -- Parent (Transfiguration Elementary School)

New Music Our Mission, Our Our Our Fiscal Alumni AYS Our Our Director! Our Vision Programs Events Audience Responsibility Spotlights Testimonials Tea m Supporters Music Resident Executive Director Conductor Director Carlos Izcaray Juan Felipe Molano Varina Bleil Board Honorary Chairman Chairman President Emeritus Kevin Dretzka Herbert M. Gelfand Staff Isabel Thiroux, Dir. of Orchestra Operations Alice Dutton, Dir. of Community Engagement Delaney Wessel, Development & Audience Max Mueller, Program Coordinator Relations Coordinator Board of Directors Advisory Council Kevin Dretzka, Board Chairman Sarah Chang Esa-Pekka Salonen Steven A. Linder, Vice Chairman Robert Cutietta Alan Silvestri David Papale, Treasurer Sarah Coade Mandell Chad Smith Peter Mandell, Secretary Zubin Mehta Jean-Yves Thibaudet Shoshana Claman Krystyna Newman Deborah Rutter Edward Yim Mary Levin Cutler Doreen Ringer-Ross Beverly Gelfand Peter Rotter Michael Napoli Wendy Ruby David Newman William Sullivan

New Music Our Mission, Our Our Our Fiscal Alumni AYS Our Our Director! Our Vision Programs Events Audience Responsibility Spotlights Testimonials Tea m Supporters Foundations THANK YOU & Corporations The American Youth Symphony is deeply grateful to our community, AFM & SAG-AFTRA Fund including these generous supporters: The Ahmanson Foundation (The following list recognizes contributors of $1000 or more between July 1, 2014 and July 1, 2016) Annenberg Foundation Atlantic Records The Cecile & Fred Bartman Foundation Donors $1000+ BMI Colburn Foundation Ingrid & Keith Agre James Newton Howard Diane & David Paul The Ray & Wyn Ritchie Evans Foundation Diana K. Ayres JoAnn & Charles Kaplan Bradley & Stephanie Penenberg Film Musicians Secondary Markets Fund Ida & Larry Baker Christina Kenney & Anthony Nesburn Elizabeth Pitcairn First 5 LA Terry & Lionel Bell Joyce Klein Gertrude Pomish Clarence E. Heller Charitable Foundation Irma & Benjamin Breslauer Steve Kofsky Joel Roman Fuller Family Foundation Linda & Maynard Brittan Terri & Jerry Kohl Lois Rosen Ann & Gordon Getty Foundation Liza Chasin Flo Robins & Dolph Kornblum Katherine Spillar & Richard Rosenthal Gold Circle Entertainment LLC Shoshana Claman & Bill Sheinberg Michael Koskoff Laura & James Rosenwald Gorfaine Schwartz Agency Alisa Coleman Sheila Krasnoff Doreen Ringer Ross The Green Foundation Dan Coleman Alison Liebes Gardner Geri Rotella & Peter Rotter Hennings-Fischer Foundation Mary Levin Cutler John Liebes Marie L. Rourke Hochberg Family Foundation DhunMai & Phiroze Dalal Anika Lorber Cythia Ruby Illumination Entertainment Silvia & Kevin Dretzka Sonia Jean Luna Wendy & Keh Ruby JHL Foundation Brittany DuBay Renee & Meyer Luskin Alizia Gur Schrager K-Mozart Dixie B. Eger Ginny Mancini Maureen & Harry Selvin Kraft-Engel Management Sarah Coade Mandell & Peter Mandell Lorraine & Sid Sheinberg Lady’s Secret Foundation Helgard & Irwin Field Ruth Flinkman & Ben Marandy Barry F. Silverman & Diane B. Mandell Liquid Music, Inc. Larry Field Maria Giacchino Herb Simon Los Angeles County Arts Commission Theodore J. Slavin Joan & Charles Fox Carianne Marshall Colette & Michael Spencer Marc and Eva Stern Foundation Christine & Thomas Frisina Maestro & Mrs. Zubin Mehta Milken Family Foundation Randy Spendlove National Endowment for the Arts Sanford Gage Leah Mendelsohn Cameron Strang The Ralph M. Parsons Foundation Lisa & Michael Gaines Brian Miller William Sullivan RMALA Beverly & Herb Gelfand Stephan Moccio Barbara & Lawrence Tenan Savitsky, Satin & Bacon Michael Giacchino Yvonne Suzette Moriarty Mr. & Mrs. Frederick M. Nicholas Shapiro Family Charitable Foundation Gloria Gold Lauren & Wally Mueller Isabel Thiroux & Gina Satriano Sidney Stern Memorial Trust Marion Goldenfeld Ilene & James Nathan Maestro & Mrs. Alexander Treger Charles Schwab Bank Elaine & Bram Goldsmith Margo Neal & LaVern Schenkelberg Brian Tyler Flora L. Thornton Foundation Carol Heather Goldsmith Anthony Nesburn Caron Veazey The Charles H. Kaman Charitable Foundation Annie Gross Krystyna & David Newman Mrs. Lee M. Warner Rose Hills Foundation Richard Handwerger Randy Newman Catherine Weary Universal Studios Gary Hanel Mr. and Mrs. Frederick M. Nicholas Edna Weiss Warner/Chappell Music Inc. Steven Linder & Michael Hanel Mr. & Mrs. Gerald Niznick John Williams Wells Fargo Foundation Jennifer Hawks Elisa & Michael O’Hara Marilouise & Albert Zager William Morris Endeavor Marlene & James Henerson Mr. & Mrs. Edward M. Ornitz Marilyn Ziering Ruth/Allen Ziegler Foundation Carol & Warner Henry David Papale Jennifer Adams Zobelein

New Music Our Mission, Our Our Our Fiscal Alumni AYS Our Our Director! Our Vision Programs Events Audience Responsibility Spotlights Testimonials Tea m Supporters AMERICAN YOUTH SYMPHONY TOGETHER, WE... DARE TO DREAM BIG, ARE GRATEFUL & CELEBRATORY

MOVE AUDIENCES INTO ARDENT FANS, PROMOTE PROSPERITY INSPIRE & SPREAD JOY BREAK INDUSTRY BARRIERS, LISTEN & HELP OTHERS

ARE FORWARD-THINKING, ENGAGING & INCLUSIVE

HONOR INTEGRITY, EVOLVE THROUGH LEARNING AMERICAN YOUTH SYMPHONY Like. Share. Inspire. Together. 5150 Wilshire Blvd #506, Los Angeles, CA 90036 Credits: Kellen Aguilar, design; Philip Holahan, photos (cover, musicians) (310) 470-2332 http://www.aysymphony.org