Experience Andy Shin as Soloist with Portland Youth Philharmonic – March 1

Posted on February 24, 2025

As winter’s chill recedes, the Portland Youth Philharmonic invites you to embrace the warmth and renewal of the season with their upcoming concert, “Spring Sunrise.” Scheduled for Saturday, March 1, 2025, at 7:30 PM, this event at the Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall promises an evening of inspiring and uplifting music.

The program opens with Lili Boulanger’s “D’un matin de printemps” (“Of a Spring Morning”), a piece that radiates the freshness and vitality of spring. Composed in 1917, Boulanger’s work captures the essence of a new day dawning, filled with hope and possibility. Notably, this performance marks the first time in PYP’s century-long history that they will present this charming composition.

Following Boulanger’s piece, the orchestra will perform Johannes Brahms’s Symphony No. 2 in D Major, Op. 73. Often referred to as Brahms’s “Pastoral Symphony,” this work exudes a serene and joyful character, reflecting the composer’s love for nature. Its melodies are imbued with a sense of contentment and optimism, making it a perfect selection to herald the arrival of spring. This performance will be the sixth time PYP has presented this timeless masterpiece, a testament to its enduring appeal.

A highlight of the evening will be a performance by 15-year-old cellist Andy Shin, a sophomore at the Beaverton Academy of Science and Engineering High School. Andy began his cello studies at the age of nine under the tutelage of Maria Shim and has been a dedicated member of the PYP organization for five years. Since 2023, he has served as Co-Principal cellist in both the Portland Youth Philharmonic and Camerata PYP.

Andy’s burgeoning career is marked by numerous accolades. He won the 2024-25 PYP Concerto Competition, earning the honor of performing Edward Elgar’s Cello Concerto in E minor, Op. 85, in its entirety with the orchestra during the “Spring Sunrise” concert. This concerto, composed in the aftermath of World War I, is one of Elgar’s final major works and is celebrated for its profound emotional depth and introspection. Its contemplative and elegiac nature offers a poignant contrast to the evening’s other selections, providing a rich tapestry of emotions for the audience.

Reflecting on this opportunity, Andy shared, “I’m so excited to be able to perform the Elgar Cello Concerto with my peers and my closest friends. Through Elgar’s virtuosic, bright passages and his soulful, sorrowful memories, I am honored to share this composer’s significant legacy and history with the audience. Playing alongside PYP will be an immensely memorable and meaningful experience for me as a student, but more so as a musician. I look forward to bringing this incredible piece to the Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall stage!”

In addition to his upcoming performance, Andy’s achievements include winning the 2023 MetroArts Young Artist Debut! Competition, the 2024 Jewish Community Orchestra Young Artist Competition, and the 2024 Willamette Falls Symphony Young Artists Competition. He was also the 2024 OSAA/OMEA state solo music championship winner, earning the title of Oregon’s 2024 cello state champion. His passion for music extends beyond solo performances; in 2023, he participated in the OrpheusPDX pathway program, performing in Mozart’s “The Royal Shepherd” (“Il Re Pastore”) as a member of the OrpheusPDX company. The following summer, he attended the 2024 Bowdoin International Music Festival, studying under Jeffrey Zeigler, cello professor at the Mannes School of Music.

The “Spring Sunrise” concert is more than a showcase of exceptional talent; it’s a celebration of the resilience and hope that music brings, mirroring the transition from winter’s dormancy to spring’s awakening.

Join the Portland Youth Philharmonic on March 1, 2025 for an evening that promises to uplift your spirit and celebrate the transformative power of music as we welcome the arrival of spring!