Sunday evening May 13, 2012, the Valley of Charleston, West Virginia, opened its doors to the West Virginia Youth Symphony Orchestra and to the World Premier of the performance of “Vandalia,” commissioned by the West Virginia Youth Symphony. Its composer, Mr. Matt Jackfert was delighted to be in the audience to hear the first public playing of his new composition. He joined the Orchestra and its conductor, Maestro Robert Turizziani, as the audience honored them with a very long and well deserved standing ovation.

The West Virginia Youth Symphony has become one of the finest performing organizations in a city of many fine performing organizations and is about to start their third International Concert Tour. In 2000 they toured Prague, Vienna, and Central Europe. In 2006 they toured Italy and Austria, and this year will tour Hungary, Slovakia, Poland, and Austria.

One of the highlights of this concert was the performance by eighteen year old Ahmed Mian winner of the 2012 Concerto Competition, playing Carl Maria von Weber’s “Concertino for Clarinet.”

The Scottish Rite of Charleston is proud of its ability to host such very talented youth, soon to be the leaders of the musical world.

—Submitted by Gary J. Frame, 33°, General Secretary, Valley of Charleston, W. Va.