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 Los Angeles. 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 American Youth Symphony. 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 Venezuela 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 Mehli Mehta’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, Brazil’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 Royce Hall and Walt Disney Concert Hall, and works alongside world-class guest artists such as Daníel Bjarnason, Anna Clyne, Sarah Chang, Johannes Moser, John Williams, David Newman, Alan Silvestri, 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 TOTAL YEARLY CONCERT RESERVATIONS (CONCERT SEASONS 2012/13 - 2015/16) 12000 (10, 527)* (9,518) 10000 (9,235) 1,954 unique accounts increase 52% 1,745 unique accounts 8000 6000 (5,002) *100% of Sept. 27 post-concert survey respondents indicated that they would consider returning for a future AYS 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 STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL POSITION 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