Tumon Bay Youth Orchestra's finale concert on April 13, lead violinist Jamie Xu wins seat in National Youth Orchestra

Concertgoers will be treated to an eclectic afternoon of music spanning over 300 years — from Mozart to Coldplay — at the season finale concert of the Tumon Bay Youth Orchestra on Sunday, April 13, at the Grand Ballroom of Hyatt Regency Guam.

Doors for the concert will open at 3:30 p.m., and the concert will begin at 4 p.m.

This year’s finale concert will include a student conducting recital for student conductors who’ve been training since October 2024, preparing for their conducting debut.

They have been meeting every Saturday afternoon, learning the art of conducting and related subjects associated with leading music ensembles.

This year’s class of student conductors include:

1. Tristan Alvarez, junior, Okkodo High School
2. Xander Castro, junior, Harvest Christian Academy
3. Leody Ersando, freshman, John F. Kennedy High School
4. Vinicia Kim, junior, Saint John School
5. Kai Spence, junior, Harvest Christian Academy

The concert will also feature an encore performance of the Stringstars Duo, which includes Jamie Xu, violin, and Raylene DeBenedictis, violin, performing Sarasate’s Navarra, Op. 33.

The duo recently tied for the top prize of the 2025 Tumon Bay Music Festival with Marianas High School Glee Club, Rhythm ‘N Harmony, led by student directors Alyana Rotap and Allyrose Santos.

Tickets are $75 for VIP seating, $50 for reserve seating, and $25 for general admission.

There is a 25% discount for all students/senior/military by using the code TBYO25SSM. Children aged 5 and below are free, but must sit on the lap of their parents.

Tickets are available at https://guamphilharmonic.ticketleap.com/tbyo-2025-season-finale concert/dates/Apr-13-2025_at_0400PM or email ticket requests to staff@guamphilharmonic.org.

Attire is Sunday’s best/island or cultural semi formal. Attendees are encouraged to bring a jacket in case the ballroom room is too cold.

Historic first

Jamie Xu, a junior attending Saint John School, is the Tumon Bay Youth Orchestra’s current concertmaster, first chair violin, who recently received news that she won a seat in the prestigious National Youth Orchestra hosted by Carnegie Hall.

Xu is the first Guam youth musician to be given this honor.

She will commence rehearsing with the all-star ensemble mid-July in New York. Xu will be touring with the NYO2 this summer on their first-ever European tour with a stop in Edinburg, Scotland.

“The Guam Philharmonic Foundation family is proud of Jamie and we wish her the very best and safe travels as she represents us alongside other amazing youth musicians on the world stage,” the foundation said in a statement.

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Solo performance

Saint Paul Christian School music teacher Daniel Kim will be featured performing a solo on the violin.

Having only started learning to play the violin at the age of 24, following his military service in the Korean Armed Forces, Kim briefly studied under the late violin teacher Stephen Clapp at the Juilliard School.

For several years now, Kim has subjected himself to international adjudicated panels participating as a soloist in the Tumon Bay Music Festival. Each time, scoring gold awards.

“Mr. Kim is an inspiration as he reminds all of us that it is never too late to get involved with music. Mr. Kim currently offers private music instruction and teaches music at Saint Paul Christian School,” the foundation said.

Baton auction

At the finale concert, a baton auction will be held with the highest bidder winning a baton and a chance to conduct the Tumon Bay Youth Orchestra with either:

1. The Imperial March — from Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back (Darth Vader Theme) SAMPLE: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vsMWVW4xtwl.

2. The open section of the overture to the opera CARMEN SAMPLE: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ssa1EnJt9UI

The auction will take place from the time doors open for the concert at 3:30 p.m. on Sunday, April 13, with the final bid being accepted at the conclusion of the intermission following Act I.

The winner will be announced after bidding is closed. The winner will also be given a brief conducting lesson prior to taking the stage at the start of Act II.

The starting bid for the baton auction is $650, with all proceeds, including proceeds from ticket sales, will help the Guam Philharmonic Foundation develop the next generation of orchestral musicians on Guam.

String starter workshop

The Guam Philharmonic Foundation will be hosting a string starter workshop for students in grades 5-10 with no music experience. Seating is very limited.

The workshop will be held April 15 to 20, with a larger workshop planned for the Fall of 2025.

For more information, email info@guamphilharmonic.org.