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The only professional symphony within a two-hour radius will perform its first concert of the New Year: a young artist concert featuring 17-year-old virtuoso violinist Satoka Abo. This symphony is mainly full of local musicians, many of whom are college students and professors at WSU or UI.

This concert will not only feature Abo herself, but to keep with the ‘young’ theme, the symphony will perform music that appeals to students, said the symphony’s director Jeremy Briggs Roberts.

“I chose the Harry Potter piece because we wanted to appeal to young audiences while featuring our young artist,” Roberts said. “We wanted to feature youthful pieces that younger people could connect to, understand and have memories of.”

The symphony will also perform two Tchaikovsky pieces: a violin concerto and his popular Symphony No. 5, a very diverse piece full of romantic emotions that the audience will enjoy, Roberts said.

“I’m personally excited about everything in this concert,” Roberts said. “Harry Potter, the Tchaikovsky symphony and our young artist will blow the audience’s minds, she’s incredible.”

This concert marks the 40th annual young-artist feature presented by the Washington Idaho Symphony. This concert gives musicians the opportunity to perform with an orchestra, an opportunity Roberts said many high school-aged students aren’t given.

“This kind of concert is a way of saying we support you as a young artist and we support the work you’re putting in,” he said.

He said the concert is also a good way for these young artists to enhance their careers and get their names out there. Roberts said he believes it is a great propellant for starting musicians.

“Significant musicians have come out of the young artist competition,” Roberts said. “We’ve been able to help propel some musicians forward. One singer who worked with us now sings with the Metropolitan Opera.”

Roberts said he believes it is important for everyone, especially college students, to hear live music like this.

“With all the passive forms of entertainment today like the internet and TV, it’s important to experience live music,” Roberts said. “It’s such a unique experience.”

The Washington Idaho Symphony will perform the young artist program at 7:30 p.m. tomorrow at Pullman High School, and at 3 p.m. on Sunday at Clarkston High School. Tickets are $25 for adults, $15 for students and $10 for youths.

“Being in a concert hall is like being in a unique point in history,” Roberts said. “Nothing exactly the same as that performance will ever happen again. The musicians are responding immediately. Each performance is brand new every time.”