Boeing's Thomas Armfield accepts a plaque from Emily Wong for the company's donation.

The Santa Clarita Youth Orchestra Foundation is more than $8,000 richer thanks to the efforts of Emily Wong, who appealed to Boeing employees on behalf of the musicians.

Wong, who serves as the Director of Development for the Foundation, accepted a check for $8,330 from Thomas Armfield on behalf of the employees of the Boeing High Desert Community. The funds will benefit the Orchestra and Prelude Strings, which involves aspiring young musicians from the Santa Clarita Valley and surrounding areas. The grant will go toward reviving a summer music program, support a summer music camp and sustain tools necessary for the development of young musicians.

Wong, a former SCVYO participant and now a Foundation Board Member, said the orchestra was an important influence in her life while growing up, and also helped round out her college application. Now a graduate of University of California – Irvine, Wong said she took on a grant-writing role to explore ways to keep the musical groups afloat in the wake of state budget cuts.

“With so many cuts occurring, it is amazing how members of this community have reached out and pulled together to help keep these necessary programs alive,” she said. “These programs have been integral to the development of the musical and personal growth of so many musicians.”

The SCVYO and Prelude Strings previously had been partially funded through the state of California, as they were offered as courses through the College of the Canyons. Now they are fully autonomous, and Boeing’s support will go a long way toward helping sustain these quality music programs, which have been a driving force in the Valley for over 25 years.

Learn more about the SCVYO at www.scvyo.org.

Auditions for the SCVYO Summer Program: May 19, 2012 and June 2, 2012.

SCVYO Summer Program: July 6 – 21, 2012.

Locations: Camp Wrightwood and College of the Canyons.

About Santa Clarita Valley Youth Orchestra Foundation

Founded over 25 years ago, the Santa Clarita Youth Orchestra Foundation oversees the Symphony of the Canyons, Santa Clarita Valley Youth Orchestra, and Prelude Strings. The different groups provide a wide range of musical experiences –ranging from orchestral performance techniques directed by professional musicians to sectionals taught by graduate students from the California Institute of the Arts.

The groups have performed at community events and have made appearances at renowned venues such as Disney Concert Hall. They have also performed in Europe and in various cities in the United States. Most recently, all three groups have had the honor of receiving grants from the Boeing Company employees, the Santa Clarita Arts Council, and the Los Angeles County Arts Commission. The SCVYO Alumni Association also offers former students the opportunity to stay involved in expanding the reach of the orchestra.