Microsoft sponsors New West Symphony Discovery Artists Program, helps young musicians get where they want to go today ... and tomorrow.

THOUSAND OAKS, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jan. 21, 1997--If 15-year-old soprano Jessica Tivens were asked, "Where do you want to go today?," she'd happily tell you she was just where she wanted to be, thanks to Microsoft Corp. and New West Symphony.

Tivens, and four other budding young musical prodigies, are spending most of their spare time these days in a concert hall, rehearsing with internationally acclaimed Maestro Boris Brott in preparation for their performances in next month's Microsoft Discovery Artists Concert.

Tivens, a student at Calabasas High School, John Huang, a 16-year-old from Rio Mesa High School in Oxnard, Nicholas Bridgman, a freshman at Camarillo High School and Elise Goodman will each have their moment in the spotlight as featured soloists, backed by the full sound of the professional New West Symphony on Jan. 25 at 8 p.m. in the Probst Center in the Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Plaza.

The concert will be preceded by a 7 p.m. JazzFest with student instrumental and vocal ensembles, and will be followed by a "meet-the-artists" reception with complimentary refreshments.

Audience members attending the concert will be eligible for a drawing to win free Microsoft software and games and a new computer from Microsoft's local hardware partner Comp USA.

"Microsoft is proud to sponsor New West Symphony's Discovery Artists program for the second year in a row," said Dave Derry, Southern California District Manager for Microsoft. "We have a great commitment to supporting the arts in our community, and to providing educational opportunities for young people. This program does both."

"We were particularly impressed with the uniqueness of New West Symphony's program," continued Derry. "Young musicians have an opportunity to solo before a large audience, as they would in a student recital or program.

"What is most unusual, is that these young people perform backed by the same adult professional orchestra that plays with internationally acclaimed soloists such as Arnaldo Cohen, Katia and Marielle Labeque and Jerome Lowenthal (a few of New West Symphony's guest artists this season). I know of no other program in the nation that provides this sort of opportunity for young musicians."

For Tivens, her Microsoft Discovery Artists' performance is the realization of a dream that began when she was eight years old. Tivens has always loved musical theatre, acting in school plays and on television programs.

One day, during a visit to her grandparents' home, she saw a production of "Aida" with Placido Domingo on PBS. In that moment, she knew that opera was "where she wanted to go" and what she wanted to do. She devoted herself to learning an aria every day, and learned the romance languages.

Now, at 15, she has just returned from a summer at Idyllwild Music Camp, on a full scholarship received as a result of winning last year's Los Angeles Music Center Spotlight Award. Tivens will be performing Mozart's "Voi, che sapete" from "The Marriage of Figaro," "Una voce poco fa" from "The Barber of Seville," "Batti, batti, o bel Masetto" from "Don Giovanni" and "The Jewel Song" from Gounod's "Faust."

For Tivens, and for Elise Goodman, who is a returning Discovery Artist, it will not be the first time either young woman has performed with a large symphony. Tivens has sung with Golden West Opera, Palm Springs Opera Guild, Burbank Chamber Orchestra and the Tucson Civic Orchestra.

Goodman, who comes from a musical family, has been playing violin ever since she can remember -- since before she could speak full sentences or walk. At 12 she was selected as a New West Discovery Artist and worked under Brott's baton, playing a Haydn Concerto before another sold-out house.

She has since served as Concertmaster for the Disney Young Musicians Symphony Orchestra and has performed at various concert halls and on television. She currently studies with Robert Lipsett at the Colburn School for the Performing Arts.

Goodman has been a soloist with the Santa Barbara Symphony, the Conejo Symphony Orchestra, the Pepperdine University Community Symphony and the Ventura County Symphony. Goodman's selected solo piece at the Microsoft concert will be Saint-Saens' "Introduction" and "Rondo capriccioso," Op. 28.

For John Huang and Nicholas Bridgman, both pianists, soloing with a major regional orchestra will be a big step on what they hope will be "The Road Ahead." However, both say they feel prepared by the many rehearsals and the numerous performance opportunities they've had through prior class recitals with teacher Edward Francis, and at small appearances, lectures and forums since chosen as Discovery Artists.

Huang, a straight-A sophomore honors student, has played the piano for nine years, performing in recitals at California Lutheran University, CSU Northridge, and at various civic and social clubs throughout Ventura County.

He has won prizes at the Southern California Junior Bach Festival and the Southwestern Youth Music Festival and was one of only 40 students accepted into the 1995 Piano Performance Academy at Indiana University in Bloomington.

Huang performed an Honors Recital at the state convention for MTAC in San Diego, obtaining the highest level attainable in the Certificate of Merit Program during his first year of eligibility. Huang will play Chopin's "Andante spianato" and "Grande polonaise," Op. 22 for his concert selection.

Bridgman is a ninth-grade honors student at Camarillo High School. He will open the second half of the concert with Shostakovich's Piano Concerto No. 1 in C minor, Op. 35. He began playing the piano at age 10 and recently became a finalist in the 1996 Los Angeles Music Center Spotlight Awards.

In addition to classical music, Bridgman enjoys transcribing recordings of jazz, swing and blues. Bridgman has won prizes at the Southern California Junior Bach Festival, the Southwestern Youth Music Festival, and has played in recitals at the Romantic Honors Festival at the Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Plaza Forum Theatre and the Presuss-Brandt Theatre on the campus of California Lutheran University.

Said Tivens of her Microsoft Discovery Artists experience: "The existence of this program, and this kind of support, has really enabled me to develop new skills and a new level of confidence as a performer. I know that some day I'll look back and remember this as a rewarding and meaningful experience. I'm thankful to Microsoft for helping me get where I want to go."

"Hopefully," added Tivens, "the concert will also be an inspiration to other young people, those that attend the concert -- to study music, or art -- or to apply themselves with discipline and commitment to whatever they want to pursue in life."

Tivens and her fellow Discovery Artists, know where they want to go today. And realize they are fortunate to be able to go there.

Microsoft Account Representative Kenneth McCumber will present commemorative plaques prior to the concert to each of the Discovery Artists and the New West Symphony Youth All-Stars, who will join the professional musicians and the Discovery Artists in a grand finale: Tchaikovsky's rousing Allegro molto vivace from Symphony No. 6, Op. 74 ("Pathetique").

The Microsoft Discovery Artists Concert is affordably priced at $5 for students and $10 (reserved) and $15 (premiere) for adults. A package rate is available for families of up to 6 for only $25. Last year's concert was sold-out, and advance reservations are recommended.

For information, call the New West Symphony offices at 805/643-8646 or 805/497-5800. Tickets are also available at the Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Plaza Box Office, 2100 E. Thousand Oaks Blvd., or any TicketMaster outlet.

Founded in 1975, Microsoft is the worldwide leader in software for personal computers. The company offers a wide range of products and services for business and personal use, each designed with the mission of making it easier and more enjoyable for people to take advantage of the full power of personal computing every day. -0-

Note to Editors: Photos and color slides of Microsoft Discovery Artists are available. To schedule delivery, or to arrange interviews, please call State of the Arts at 805/684-6035.

CONTACT: State of the Arts, Carpinteria, Calif.

Christopher Vore/Karyl Lynn Burns, 805/684-6035

or

For tickets:

New West Symphony, 3451 Foothill, Suite 202, Ventura

805/643-8646

or

2100 E. Thousand Oaks Blvd., Suite D, Thousand Oaks

805/497-5800