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Listen to the Future!
Hear what CYSO coaches, students, parents and friends have to say about CYSO.
Chicago Youth Symphony Orchestras Newsletter
April 2006
Dear CYSO Friends,
As Spring begins, this seems like a perfect opportunity to launch our new CYSO e-newsletter. The world around is blooming with new growth and we want to share with you what has been blossoming at CYSO throughout the year.
Already it has been a very exciting season for the CYSO. We launched the brand new “Debut” Orchestra; an ensemble created for students in grades 5-9. This Orchestra is trained and conducted by Associate Conductor, Terrance Gray. “Debut” provides an intensive orchestral experience to students who are just entering the world of classical music after a few years of studying their instruments. The response to this program has been outstanding, as over 60 students signed up this fall. In November, they gave their premiere concert at Roosevelt University's Ganz Hall. “Debut” shared the program with the Preparatory Strings and performed beautifully for an audience that was “standing room only.” Both ensembles have continued to progress at an outstanding rate and we know these students will some day soon be in the Concert and Symphony Orchestras!
The launch of the Debut Orchestra is one of many magnificent things that have taken place this season. Through this e-newsletter, we hope to share the latest CYSO developments with you on a monthly basis. In this edition, you will read about: the recent events and programs of the Concert and Symphony Orchestras; the stunning success of the 2006 Gala; a profile of Concert Orchestra flutist, Masha Popova; alumni news, and you will have the opportunity to meet our Board Chairman, John Schladweiler. Each of these features represents an area of focus that will appear in ongoing editions of the e-newsletter. Our goal is to help you get to know the depth and breadth of the Chicago Youth Symphony Orchestras family and all of the exciting growth that is taking place right here on the 8th floor of the Fine Arts Building. Happy Spring!!
Holly H. Hudak
Executive Director
in this issue
Student News
CYSO Student of the Month
"Practice makes perfect," says Masha Popova (Concert Orchestra Flute) recent winner of the 2005 CYCO Concerto Competition, and the only flute player selected to attend the Curtis Institute next year. In her junior year at Oak Park - River Forest High School, Masha one day hopes to play flute professionally for a ballet or opera. Masha credits her passion for music to her family who began teaching her to play at a young age. Beginning with her great- grandmother, grandmother, and mother all being professional musicians, Ms. Popova has a bright musical future before her.
Expect to see this talented young woman throughout Chicago and hopefully on the world stage fulfilling her life's ambition. Join Masha Popova and the Concert Orchestra on April 30, 2006 at Mandel Hall.
in other student news...
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Gala 2006 a Success!
On February 4th, 2006, the CYSO held its 59th Annual Gala Celebration,
Put Me in Coach, I'm Ready to Play , at the Drake Hotel. As Gala Co- Chair and CYSO Board Member, I would like to thank everyone who attended for making the night such an incredible success - raising over $130,000 for CYSO programs.
During the evening guests were entertained and delighted by the fine young musicians in the Symphony Orchestra, which was highlighted by a performance of Allen Feinstein' s Casey at the Bat , narrated by White Sox Great and seven-time All-Star Baseball Player Billy Pierce. We were also thrilled to have Steven Zick of Christie's Fine Arts Auctioneers, who did an amazing job as the emcee for the Live Auction. A warm thanks to all who came to the event, and we hope to see you at our 60th Anniversary Gala Celebration in spring, 2007. Until then, all the best.
Gary Burns
2006 Gala Co-Chair
CYSO Board of Directors
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Artistic Notes On Sunday, April 30, 2006 you will have the opportunity to listen to the Concert Orchestra at Mandel Hall. At this performance you will hear one of our 2005 concerto competition winners Masha Papova, the sole flautist accepted at the Curtis Institute for its 2006-2007 school year. She will be playing the Chaminade Concertino, a great illustration of the French romantic concerto. We will also be performing the world premiere of John Uth's Dance #1 for Orchestra. This is a 21st century composition grounded in tonality yet using the full compliment of the percussion section to lend the piece its uniquely modern sound.
In addition, Mendelssohn's 5th Symphony and Moussorgsky's well known Night on Bald Mountain will be performed. I remember sitting and listening to Mendelssohn's 5th Symphony before I was even a teenager. I loved the work, and unfortunately find it to be generally neglected in live performance and recordings today. The piece is full of grace, charm and the exuberance of a 19 year old composer. Night on Bald Mountain is fundamentally a tone poem depicting the subterranean sounds of supernatural voices appearing before the Sabbath, with the distant echo of a church bell, and the dispersing of the dark spirits as day breaks.
I am excited about this first year of what I call the “New CYCO”. With the creation of Debut Orchestra, the technical and musical depth of the Concert Orchestra has grown tremendously. I am very proud of what it has accomplished this year, and I hope you will come to see this concert and share in my excitement.
Terrance Gray
Associate Conductor
click here to order Mandel Hall tickets...
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Get to know the CYSO Board
John W. Schladweiler
President and CEO of Schladweiler Associates, Inc.
Chair of CYSO Board of Directors
Since joining the Board in 1989, I have watched the CYSO expand its programs to challenge the most talented student musicians in the Chicagoland area and create initiatives that reach aspiring musicians early in their development. My personal satisfaction comes from watching students grow and develop each season. Throughout my tenure, I have been extremely fortunate to have seen several students move into the top tier of the music profession, have worked with two outstanding Executive Directors, and been energized by a Board of Directors and Staff with a passion for the CYSO's work.
When I first arrived, the CYSO decided to focus on the professional development of young music directors, in addition to its students. Over time, this commitment has become very successful. The previous three music directors have moved into prominent positions, and our current music director Allen Tinkham continues to receive international recognition. In March it was announced that Rossen Milanov, the CYSO Music Director from 1997 to 2001 was named to the position Artistic Director of The Philadelphia Orchestra at The Mann Center for the Performing Arts (the summer venue), in addition to his role as Associate Conductor leading subscription, family, educational and holiday concerts. Previous music directors Michael Morgan (currently leading the Oakland East Bay Symphony) and Dan Hege (Music Director of the Syracuse Symphony) are outstanding in their field and both have a strong commitment to youth and music education. I find it exhilarating that all three prominently list their CYSO experience in their bio's, and have strong community involvement in music education (I suggest you Google them).
I focus on the music directors as one facet of the push for excellence at the CYSO. We create a learning environment that is energizing, and the results speak for themselves. Take any measurement of success in this field, and you will find the CYSO at the top and with a commitment to stay there.
John Schladweiler
Board Chair
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Upcoming Events
Concert Orchestra at Mandel Hall
Debut Orchestra and Preparatory Strings Concert
Symphony Orchestra in Glen Ellyn
Symphony Orchestra at Orchestra Hall
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