April 18, 2023 - After a 40-month COVID hiatus, the Mariposa Yosemite Symphony Orchestra (MYSO) is back in action with concerts on Saturday, April 29th and Sunday, April 30th in Mariposa and at Tenaya Lodge in Fish Camp, led by its Founding Music Director and Conductor Les Marsden. The orchestra is now in its 21st year, and these concert events will allow its 18th "Season Interruptus" to resume, following its last pre-COVID performance on December 21, 2019.
The MYSO's Glorious Spring Concerts:
■ Saturday, April 29th at 7:00 P.M., the Fiester Auditorium at Mariposa County High School - 5074 Old Hwy N, Mariposa, CA 95338
■ Sunday, April 30th at 2:00 P.M., the Ballroom of Tenaya Lodge, Fish Camp - just outside Yosemite's South (Hwy 41) Entrance - 1122 CA-41, Fish Camp, CA 93623
The Program:
■ Ludwig van Beethoven: Leonore Overture #3
■ Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky: Romeo and Juliet Fantasy Overture (the fascinating, rarely-heard original 1869 version)
■ Vasily Kalinnikov: Symphony #1 in g minor
Our NEW TICKET POLICY:
As we get closer and closer to the weekend of Saturday, April 29th and Sunday, April 30th, the interest in, AND activities of returning our beloved MYSO to the concert stage after 40 MONTHS of COVID hiatus is beginning to REALLY simmer!
Here's the link for tickets - https://tinyurl.com/MYSO4-29-23 Advance, online-purchased tickets at $10 for Adults and $8 for students (through college age, if currently enrolled) are required ONLY for the Saturday night (April 29th) concert in Mariposa. If seats are still available, those without tickets will be admitted to that evening concert for a recommended donation of $15 for Adults and $10 for Students. Which is why advance purchase is firmly requested. Under COVID cash-handling-safe practice, NO change will be available at the door. The Tenaya Lodge Ballroom matinee on April 30th at 2:00 P.M. is for "recommended donations" of $10 Adults/$8 Students only! NO advance purchase tickets are available - ONLY donations at the door, with no change available. More details about this concert are available at our website - http://MYSO.LIVE please visit!
IMPORTANT: PLEASE NOTE:
We've come together beautifully - the orchestra is bigger and better than ever.
But we are in DESPERATE need of cello players! If you know ANYONE who plays the cello and might be interested in joining the MYSO, PLEASE encourage them to reach Les Marsden right away at MYSO.ALIVE (at) gmail.com.
Meet Our Musicians:
The (new) MYSO consists of both familiar and new musicians, including employees of the NPS and affiliated organizations as well as notable professionals. Meet three beginning with Eleanor Choate (pictured below.)
Joining the MYSO as its harpist for the very first time is accomplished Southern California virtuoso, recording artist and instructor Eleanor Choate of UC Irvine and CSU Long Beach. Ellie and Marsden first made music together over 50 years ago on the cusp of their teens when she played harp in a children’s operetta Marsden composed and conducted. They were later members of the
Fresno Youth and Fresno Junior Philharmonic Orchestras. In addition to her Southern California home, Ellie maintains a residence in Coarsegold as well.
Oberlin-trained longtime MYSO Concertmaster and Yosemite National Park’s Volunteer Program Manager Sally Martinez (pictured below) was introduced to the violin at age 3 and began taking lessons in her home state of Massachusetts. She grew up performing with the Greater Boston Youth Symphony Orchestras before attending Oberlin College in Ohio. At Oberlin, Sally pursued a degree in Environmental Studies, but continued to participate in music lessons and performances with students and faculty at the Conservatory of Music. In her adult life, she has had the opportunity to perform with many community and professional orchestras, in concert halls across the world, from Davis' Mondavi Center to New York's Carnegie Hall to Prague's Rudolfinum.
Sally has spent most of her career in civil service. She has a Master's degree in Public Administration (University of Montana,) and about 15 years with the federal government. Prior to her current managerial position in Yosemite, she served as a Park Ranger in Montana’s Glacier National Park and as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Bonga, Ethiopia. She enjoys backpacking, hiking, cooking, and learning languages. Sally lives in El Portal with her husband Alex and two one-eyed cats.
Veteran MYSO Second Bassoonist Linnea Pierson (pictured below), who states, “My first spring in Yosemite, I was able to see the MYSO perform at the Ahwahnee Hotel in Yosemite Valley. Right after, I emailed Les and asked if there were any bassoon openings. One year later, I was in the orchestra! Playing with the MYSO has brought joy to my life and has grown my connection with the larger community. I work for NatureBridge in Yosemite connecting youth to the outdoors. Hobbies other than orchestra include calling contra dances in El Portal, playing fiddle, carving wooden spoons, and of course recreating in Yosemite National Park.”
Mariposa Yosemite Symphony Orchestra Returns with Performances on April 29 & 30, 2023