From the wand of the conductor, the musician creates. Feet grounded on the oak stage, the resonance escapes the musician’s instrument, reverberating off curved Douglas fir paneling to land precisely on the ears of the audience as crisp and warm, sonic vibrations fill the Walt Disney Concert Hall, embracing all present in a shared experience. 

For many young musicians, it will be the first time performing in a venue internationally recognized for its acoustics and architecture – a unique reward that students experience every summer after two weeks of intense study, practice and rehearsals.

The Fresno Summer Orchestra Academy (FOOSA), an international music program, is back with three music programs for all levels of student musicians and several evenings of public performances. The intensive festival culminates in three free and public concerts.

The Symphony Orchestra and Chamber Orchestra Concert is at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, June 26, at the Fresno State Concert Hall. The FOOSA Symphony Orchestra is composed of middle school through college students looking to expand their orchestral experience. The Chamber Orchestra, a half-day program, is made up of young string players, typically under 14 years of age.

The FOOSA Philharmonic will hold two “Rites and Reveries” concerts under the direction of Dr. Thomas Loewenheim, FOOSA artistic director and director of orchestras at Fresno State. The philharmonic is composed of pre-professional student musicians and internationally recognized faculty. 

The philharmonic program includes “Pelleas and Melisande, Op. 5” by Arnold Schoenberg (1874-1951) and “Le Sacre du printemps (The Rite of Spring)” by Igor Stravinsky (1882-1971). The performance at the Walt Disney Concert Hall adds “Sinfonía No. 1 ‘My Great Dream,’” by Juan Pablo Contreras (born 1987). 

“Audiences are in for an unforgettable evening of music that is as emotionally powerful as it is technically brilliant,” said Loewenheim. 

The first performance of “Rites and Reveries” is at 8 p.m. Friday, June 27, at the Walt Disney Concert Hall in downtown Los Angeles. Tickets are free with a reservation. 

The orchestra returns to the Valley for a second performance at 4 p.m. Sunday, June 29, at the William Saroyan Theatre in downtown Fresno. Standard tickets are free, or patrons can purchase tickets to guarantee specific section seating while supporting FOOSA. 

FOOSA’s slogan, “Bringing the world to Fresno and Fresno to the world,” is embodied in its international faculty, skilled, world-class musicians who provide transformative experiences for young, dedicated and talented musicians.

“FOOSA is critical to our region because it exposes young musicians from the Central Valley to the highest possible musicianship, working with faculty from great music schools and conservatories — right in their own backyard. This transformative festival not only builds the local talent of our youth but also raises the profile of the university and Fresno internationally,” Fresno State President Saúl Jiménez-Sandoval said in the program letter.

A collaboration between the Youth Orchestras of Fresno and Fresno State, the two-week summer intensive program is designed for musicians who are willing to dedicate themselves to a demanding daily schedule. 

“What also sets FOOSA apart is its emphasis on mentorship and community-building,” Loewenheim said. “Every student in the top-level program serves as a coach and role model for younger participants. This structure fosters a strong sense of collaboration, leadership and giving back—helping to inspire the next generation of musicians while reinforcing each student’s own learning.”

The program includes orchestra rehearsals, daily lessons, masterclasses, a professional orchestral recording session and numerous performance opportunities.

“We are very pleased to be collaborating with the Youth Orchestras of Fresno in hosting this 2025 FOOSA Festival. Since its founding in 1911, Fresno State has promoted the study of music as a central part of the liberal arts tradition of fostering students’ artistic and intellectual growth, and the College of Arts and Humanities is proud of the increasing musical excellence now reflected in the department’s elevation to a School of Music,” said Dr. Honora Chapman, dean of the College of Arts and Humanities. 

Throughout the two-week festival, FOOSA will present free recitals and student showcases nearly every evening at the Fresno State Concert Hall, giving the community additional opportunities to experience the remarkable talent of these young musicians.

(Photo: FOOSA performs in the Walt Disney Concert Hall on June 21, 2024. Photo by Benjamin Chua.)