CSUN Youth Orchestras Historical Snapshot

1970-1975

Dr. Thomas Osborn found the Valley Young People's Orchestra, serving as Music Director and Conductor. The musicians range in ages from 7 to 17 and professional musicians are called upon to serve as coaches. The Valley Youth Orchestra Association is created and incorporated as a non-profit in 1974 to develop and provide financial support for both orchestras at the time.

1976-1980

California State University, Northridge invites the orchestra to take up residency on campus. They become known collectively as the C.S.U.N. Youth Orchestra Academy.

1981-1985

In 1982 Dr. Osborne retires after twelve years with the orchestra. David Avshalomov serves as Music Director and Conductor for the next two years. The two orchestra formate on the academy is redefined under the tenure of new Music Director Wes Kenney. A preparatory orchestra known as the Junior Orchestra and the symhony orchestra known as the Senior Orchestra are results of this transition.

1986-1990

In 1986 the Northridge Chamber Orchestra is formed as a unique experiment in music education combining the top youth orchestra musicians with professional musicians from the area. In 1989 the Senior Orchestra performs Beethoven's Symphony on No. 9 in concert with the Valley Master Chorale as part of the 20th season Gala.

1991-2002

Mr. Kenney steps down in his eighth season. Mr. Jerry Luedders becomes Music Director for the next twelve seasons. During his tenure the organization splits into groups knows as the Philharmonic, Symphony and Camerata Strings. The number of participants goes over 150.

2002-2006

Dr. John Roscigno, serving as Director of Orchestral Studies at California State University, Northridge takes over as Music Director of the Youth Orchestras and Conductor of the Philharmonic. During these years 2 beginning level ensembles, the Sinfonia Strings and Wind Ensembles are added and due to large increases in string enrollment a new ensemble, the Chamber Orchestra was added. The current six ensemble system has over 250 young musicians, 5 conductor, 6 CSUN student staff and a manager. The ensembles are now officially a CSUN workshop fully tied to the university.