YOUTH ORCHESTRA TUNING UP FOR SYMPHONY PERFORMANCE.

Byline: Michael Coit Daily News Staff Writer

Dig in and get it right.

Repeating her message of encouragement, Carol Alexander conducted the latest edition of the Conejo Valley Youth Orchestra through the difficult passages of ``The Moldau'' during a recent rehearsal.

Flutes, clarinets, violins and violas bring out the stirring image of the Moldau River flowing through the Czech Republic. French horns, timpani and triangles signal swift rapids. Trumpets, trombones and tubas reveal a wider, more powerful river.

``You've got to dig in there and play, even if it's not as together as you would like to be,'' said Alexander, waving a conductor's baton and speaking over the music. ``If you make a mistake, don't stop. You get lost that way.''

Playing through sections broken down earlier during the rehearsal, the orchestra presented the alternately loud and abrupt sounds that make the Bedrich Smetana piece so satisfying for audiences.

``Try and get this part right and then I'll excuse you. But let's get this part right,'' Alexander implored.

The concert, featuring four orchestral pieces, is two months away. Yet the 70 or so musicians sound nearly ready for the Forum Theatre appearance at the Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Plaza.

``Sometimes, you're playing and all of a sudden something clicks. It all sounds good and it makes it worth it,'' said Esther Hall-Reinhard, a 15-year-old violinist from Thousand Oaks.

In her third year with the orchestra, Esther said she enjoys the opportunity to get beyond solo recitals and perform with other gifted young musicians. ``It's less nerve-wracking. You're working as a team.''

For nearly 14 years, youths from Agoura Hills to Camarillo, Simi Valley and Moorpark have sought seats in the orchestra under Alexander's leadership.

Although auditions determine the lineup of musicians each year, Alexander stresses camaraderie rather than competition and favors encouragement over criticism.

``The music is pretty challenging for them, but the more they're challenged, the more they seem to like it,'' she said. ``It's starting to happen - capturing the spirit of the music together as an orchestra.''

The orchestra's first test will come Dec. 14, when the orchestra will perform with the Conejo Valley Symphony at the Probst Performing Arts Center.

The symphony - which was formed this year with musicians from the former Conejo Symphony after it merged into the New West Symphony - had a successful initial fall concert. The adults will share the stage with the youths for the two culminating pieces in the Christmas concert.

``I had the same experience when I was growing up. It's such a treat to play with professional musicians. That really inspired me to keep going with music,'' said Howard Sonstegard, conductor and music director for the Conejo Valley Symphony.

Only one rehearsal with both symphony and orchestra is planned - one held the same day as the concert. But Sonstegard plans to rehearse twice with the young musicians and is sure they'll be ready for the big event.

``I treat them like musicians, not like a bunch of kids playing instruments,'' Sonstegard explained. ``I run through it just like the concert.

``That is hard on the young people, but for those who may have thoughts about being a professional musician, that's the way it is. You have to be ready to go.''

The musicians range in age from 10 to 17. They must maintain a regimen of private lessons, practice at home and weekly orchestra rehearsals, with most continuing with the orchestra through high school.

Home for the orchestra is a steel-frame and metal-sided building on the California Lutheran University campus. While athletes lift weights in the training room occupying one half of the building, the orchestra fills the building's other half.

The musicians pack onto carpeted risers with thinly padded seats tucked next to metal music stands. Storage closets line three walls, sprinkler pipes and heating vents hang from the roof. There are no acoustical accents and no ceiling.

Spartan surroundings notwithstanding, many orchestra members welcome the opportunity to perform in something other than a marching band.

Elena Allen and Lindsey Boardman, French horn players for the Thousand Oaks High School band, are in their third year with the orchestra.

``It's a completely new sound,'' said Elena, a sophomore. ``In band, it's a lot of loud brass. Here, the woodwinds and strings are emphasized.''

Lindsey, a senior, said orchestra members look forward to the challenge of performing with the symphony in front of nearly 1,800 people next month. ``The music is easy. We've done it before.''

The orchestra's lone tuba player even appreciates his limited role.

``All the strings get the good parts. The brass sits around a lot, but it's fun,'' said Nick Aronoff, a Thousand Oaks High School junior who gained a seat in the orchestra after working hard to improve following an unsuccessful audition last year.

That there is still a youth orchestra for east county communities is a result of Alexander deciding against merging with the New West Youth Symphony Orchestra. The upstart Conejo Valley Symphony also offered sponsorship.

New West formed last year with the merging of the former Conejo and Ventura symphonies. New West maintained two youth orchestras for a year, but sought to merge them this year and base the orchestra in Camarillo.

``I resigned for philosophical reasons,'' Alexander said.

Namely, she didn't want to witness the elimination of opportunities for young musicians to perform in an orchestra.

``I also felt that the Conejo Symphony had sponsored us and encouraged the youth orchestra in a lot of ways. I thought, instead of consolidating, we should be expanding the opportunities, not limiting them.''

New West Youth Symphony Orchestra leaders said there is plenty of room in the county for more than one youth orchestra. New West is based in Camarillo and draws its 64 musicians from across the county.

``We are pleased that there is an organization in the east county, and we would really like to see more music opportunities,'' said Jim Black, president of Youth Symphonians, which is the parent group for the New West youth affiliate.

If there had been no Conejo Valley youth orchestra, Jaclyn Johnson's parents would not have moved the family from San Gabriel to Agoura Hills a year ago.

Already an accomplished soloist after six years on the harp, the Agoura High School freshman now is the orchestra's principal harpist.

``I like the music. It's different, but it's nice to play with a lot of other instruments,'' Jaclyn said.

Alexander still enjoys the challenge of teaching and conducting youth musicians after 30 years, including more than two decades with the Conejo Valley Unified School District.

``The more capable they are, the more fun they can have in expressing themselves in the music,'' she said. ``The more fun it is for all of them.''

CAPTION(S):

3 Photos

Photo: (1) Carol Alexander directs members of the Conejo Valley Youth Orchestra, ages 10 to 17, during a rehearsal at Cal Lutheran University.

(2) A violinist from the orchestra plays intricate notes from sheet music.

(3) Lawrence Wu, 16, left, Vicky Cheung, 17, and Robin Tung, 11, play their violins during a rehearsal.

Michael Owen Baker/Daily News