Growing up in the orchestra Growing up in the orchestra (February 09, 2005)

Young Palo Alto Chamber Orchestra musicians mix homework with rehearsals, Bartok with the Beatles

By Rebecca Wallace

Almanac Staff Writer

Conductor Doris Fukawa knows exactly the sound she wants from her orchestra.

"Lots of vibrato," she says. "Heavy, dark. Sounds like 'Jaws.'"

The resulting sound is full-bodied and rich. Never mind that the movie reference may be lost on some of the orchestra players.

That's part of the fun of watching the musicians in the Palo Alto Chamber Orchestra, which celebrates its 40th anniversary this year. They're poised and their playing is sure. And they're also so young .

Based at the Cubberley Community Center in Palo Alto, PACO has five levels, from Super Strings up to the senior PACO orchestra. Most kids start with Super Strings in the third or fourth grade and play until they graduate from high school, music director Benjamin Simon says. But even in those early days they aren't beginners.

"They have to be at a fairly high level when they audition for us," Mr. Simon says. Only about one of five kids who try out gets in.

Atherton violinist Clara Brill, 15, came to PACO relatively recently, about two-and-a-half years ago, but brought much experience with her. She started playing at age 5, and before auditioning for PACO had played with several other Bay Area orchestras. PACO, she says, is smaller, focusing on the chamber music repertoire. And, it's more serious.

"It's really disciplined. They try to keep you on track," she says.

Clara, a sophomore at Menlo School, is now in the junior PACO orchestra being conducted by Doris Fukawa, one step below senior PACO. While it's clear from the lively chatter before a recent rehearsal that the orchestra is full of friendships, the mood becomes serious when it's time to launch into Benjamin Britten's "Symple Symphony for Strings." Clara's face is pensive under her dark bangs, and bows rise and fall gracefully around the practice room.

"Ooh! Now that will be a good concert-ender!" Ms. Fukawa says.

The weekly two-hour rehearsal is only part of life as a PACO musician. Clara, for example, also has a private lesson for an hour and a half each week. She goes to summer violin camps and practices up to two hours a day, homework permitting. Each PACO orchestra level has several concerts every year.

Such a schedule is typical, which is why Mr. Simon says he accepts only young musicians who have a real zest for music -- not those who are pushed into it by their parents.

"You can tell who love it. They've got it in their eyes," he says.

Clara says she doesn't aspire to a career in music, but she says she hopes to always have it in her life. That's not surprising from someone who listens to music "almost constantly," including Bob Marley and the Beatles. She's also learned to play some old-time fiddle tunes.

Classical strains, though, have a particular appeal.

"When I listen to classical music, it might calm me down and help me think straight," she says. "It's more intellectual."
INFORMATION

The Palo Alto Chamber Orchestra will perform Saturday, February 26, at 8 p.m. The group will play works by Heitor Villa-Lobos, Ney Rosauro and Bela Bartok at St. Mark's Episcopal Church, 600 Colorado Ave., Palo Alto. Junior PACO will perform Saturday, February 19, at 8 p.m. at the Community School of Music and Arts at Finn Center, 230 San Antonio Circle, Mountain View. The orchestra will play works by Gustav Holst, Alessandro Marcello, Samuel Barber and Benjamin Britten. For more information, call 856-3848 or go to www.pacomusic.org.

E-mail a friend a link to this story.