"I am looking forward to performing with the talented students of the AYP," said Cyncynates. "The Barber concerto is an extraordinarily difficult work for a youth orchestra and it demonstrates their broad range of ability."

AYP musicians will rehearse a total of ten times as an ensemble to prepare for the concert, including three opportunities to work closely with Mr. Cyncynates.

"I am extremely excited to have Ricardo Cyncynates as our soloist for the Barber Violin Concerto," said Spalding. "The technical and emotional import he is bringing to this great masterpiece is elevating the American Youth Philharmonic to a new level. Without a doubt, this is going to be an extraordinary performance."

Tickets are $15 for adults, $10 for seniors (65+), $10 for students (including college with ID), and free for music teachers. Tickets are available online or at the door.

Mr. Cyncynates is also a member of The Ensemble da Camera of Washington, AYPO's ensemble in-residence for the Chamber Ensemble Program. Along with clarinetist Claire Eichhorn and pianist Anna Balakerskaia, Mr. Cyncynates leads master classes for musicians in the program, providing educational guidance on performed repertoire. Upcoming master classes will take place March 10 and April 7, 1:00 p.m. at Vienna Presbyterian Church in Vienna, Virginia. They are free events and open to the public. The Ensemble will perform in a concert benefiting the Chamber Ensemble Program on May 19, 8:00 p.m. at Vienna Presbyterian Church.

About the Guest Artist: Violinist Ricardo Cyncynates has performed extensively as soloist, recitalist, and chamber musician throughout the United States, Europe, and South America. Mr. Cyncynates is Assistant Concertmaster of the National Symphony Orchestra and was appointed to this position by Mstislav Rostropovich following Mr. Cyncynates's tenure with the Detroit Symphony Orchestra. Since then he has appeared as soloist with the orchestra in concertos by Mozart and Vivaldi as well as in Sarasate's Carmen Fantasy, Saint-Saëns's Havanaise, Introduction and Rondo Capriccioso, Sibelius's Six Humoresques and Paganini's 24th Caprice for solo violin on a program led by Music Director Leonard Slatkin for the League of American Orchestras' National Conference Concert. Mr. Cyncynates has performed as soloist with a number of other Washington area orchestras in concertos by Bach, Brahms, Busoni, Dvorak, Mendelssohn, Mozart, Paganini, Saint-Saëns, Sibelius, as well as in Bernstein's Serenade. He has also appeared as recitalist and chamber musician at the area's most prestigious concert venues. [Complete Biography]