The Abbotsford Youth Orchestra (AYO) presents the concert “Prodigy Doubled” on Friday, Oct. 10, featuring pianist Kevin Chen and violinist Spencer Tsai, both nine years old.
The concert begins at 7 p.m. at South Abbotsford Church, 32424 Huntingdon Rd.
Chen and Tsai are both the youngest on record to complete the associate of the Royal Conservatory of Music’s performers diploma exam, the highest academic standings awarded by the academy.
Chen was selected in 2013 for the CBC’s Top 30 hot Canadian classical musicians under 30, the only one under the age of 10.
This summer he began studies in composition with Jared Miller, composer-in-residence for the Victoria Symphony.
In his fifth concerto performance in Abbotsford, Chen will play Mozart’s Piano Concerto No. 27.
In his inaugural performance with the AYO, Tsai will play Introduction et Rondo Capriccioso by Saint-Saens. He will be joined by one of his teachers, Samuel Tsui.
Chen and Tsai will also play together for pieces they have composed, such as A Dark Raining Day by Chen and Ballerina by Tsai.
Members of the AYO will perform Jump Out of Your Chair by eight-year-old Rafael Comeau, as well as Arensky’s Variations on a theme of Tchaikovsky, Simple Gifts and a choreographed Take Me Out to the Ballgame.
Tickets for the show are $20 for adults and $10 for students. They are available at King’s Music of the House of James.