Los Angeles-based Mládí (pronounced muh-LAH-dee) Chamber Orchestra made its Coachella Valley debut on April 30 at Palm Springs Art Museum’s Annenberg Theater — and they did it without a conductor.

Concentrating on exceptional new and rarely performed music, Mládí has gained popularity in Los Angeles in accordance with its goal: to attract a younger fan base than classical music traditionally draws. “We’re bringing a new face to classical music,” Foster says. “Young people do like this music if it is presented right.”

“ Some people say [a conductor-free performance] is like watching a big orchestra in chamber-music style,” Foster says.