Esperanza Spalding plays with Metropolitan Youth Symphony in its 50th anniversary season finale, June 17 at Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall. (Courtesy Photo: MYS)

It’s been a big celebration already for Metropolitan Youth Symphony, marking its 50th anniversary.

The season’s final concert promises to be something special, as MYS welcomes five-time Grammy winner and Portland native Esperanza Spalding in a much-anticipated night of premieres and more 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, June 17, at Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall.

Spalding is an MYS alumni. The concert is directed by MYS Music Director Raul Gómez-Rojas.

“This concert is emblematic of the exciting musical diversity and barrier-breaking programming we strive for. With both jazz and symphonic music under one roof, our season finale has something to offer for a broad range of audiences,” Gómez-Rojas said.

In honor of its 50th year, MYS commissioned a piece by Spalding for upright bass, voice, symphony, and jazz quintet that Spalding titled “Dispelling The Lie Of Lies.” The piece was orchestrated in partnership with Puerto Rican jazz musician and composer Edmar Colón, whose orchestrations include the title track of Spalding’s Grammy Award-winning album “12 Little Spells” and a commission of 16 orchestral pieces for the National Symphony Orchestra.

Spalding will perform “Dispelling The Lie Of Lies” with MYS Symphony Orchestra and advanced jazz musicians, along with her piece “Ebony and Ivy” and “Midnight in Carlotta’s Hair” by the great Wayne Shorter. MYS’ advanced jazz ensemble, Jazz-All Stars, will also perform music selected by her.

There’ll also be about 60 alumni joining the Symphony Orchestra on stage in celebration of its 50th anniversary, from as far as Arizona, Kansas, and North Carolina. MYS founder Lajos Balogh and former MYS Music Director Andrés Lopera will both guest conduct.

Christa Wessel, host from our media sponsor All Classical Radio, will emcee this special evening.

More: playmys.org.