Spring Highlights
Collaborations Inspire Students and Audiences
Special projects for each orchestra deepen students’ educational experience while providing unique opportunities for audiences. This season, enriching collaborations with artists and student groups are inspiring GTCYS musicians to express themselves through new musical styles and genres of art. With three concerts coming up this Saturday and one in April, we hope you’ll join us to experience these exciting collaborations firsthand. Spring concert details below.
On March 4, Philharmonia East and West students embarked on a fieldtrip to the University of Wisconsin – Eau Claire where they had the outstanding opportunity to attend workshops with Nobuyoshi Yasuda, conductor of the University’s Symphony Orchestra. Mr. Yasuda’s advice to envision something they want, like chocolate, when working on dynamics and phrasing really resonated with students. Students also said they enjoyed a recital and listening game with three college music students, and they were excited about meeting new people.
Sinfonia performed with internationally recognized jazz violinist Randy Sabien at their February 25 concert, learning about improvisation through this engaging collaboration. They played three pieces with Mr. Sabien who also performed some of his solo work, and students had the opportunity to highlight their new skills through solo performances. Conductor Kent Musser said of the experience, “When students first see jazz music, the rhythms and notes can seem a little intimidating, but Sinfonia students all did an amazing job learning the new style. Mr. Sabien was really impressed by how such a large orchestra played as a ‘tight’ ensemble, and he said that in his 40 years of doing workshops, the soloists were some of the best he’s ever heard!”
Concertino will perform a Kids Playing for Kids concert on March 11 with GTCYS’ newest addition, Harmony. This family-friendly concert features Beethoven, a jazz piece, and music from the movie The Magnificent Seven. Kids in the audience will be invited to join Concertino on stage to experience what it feels like to be in an orchestra, and they’ll have the chance to try an instrument after the concert!
On April 22, Camerata will lead an Earth Day celebration along with Concert Orchestra. Two choirs from Angelica Cantanti will join forces with the two orchestras for a stirring en masse performance of Kids for Saving Earth. Camerata musicians will exhibit their range of artistic talents with readings of Earth Day poems and posters which will be displayed in the lobby at Ted Mann Concert Hall.
Concert Orchestra’s Music and Movement project features a unique collaboration with local dancer Katelyn Skelley who choreographed Copland’s Variations on a Shaker Melody for the orchestra. Ms. Skelley spent several rehearsals with students helping to incorporate choreographed movement into their playing. She said she wanted students to learn “to communicate with each other through their body and eye contact and to work together through the movement of their playing.” The project has pushed GTCYS musicians to step out of their comfort zone and they say it’s been a fun opportunity to achieve high musical standards while exploring another art form. The choreographed piece will be performed at Concert Orchestra’s March 11 concert.
Two collaborations will engage audiences at Philharmonic’s March 11 concert. Distinguished pianist Dr. Michael Kim is the featured soloist in a performance of Gershwin’s timeless Rhapsody in Blue, and the Philharmonia Orchestra of Wisconsin Youth Symphony Orchestras will perform jointly with Philharmonic and solo conducted by Michelle Kaebisch. “Having a professional pianist perform the famous Rhapsody in Blue has inspired students to achieve excellence in a completely different style of music. Learning and performing Gershwin has resulted in students experiencing a unique way of understanding jazz and classical styles,” said conductor Gary Wolfman.
Symphony’s special project took place in January when they presented a family concert at The Ordway. Along with actor Dylan Fresco, they explored musical inspirations and interpretations of several orchestral masterpieces including the Russian folktale of The Firebird that led to Igor Stravinsky’s masterful Suite of the same name, and a piece by contemporary composer Michael Abels that draws inspiration from around the world.
Spring Concerts
Concertino Family Concert – Free
featuring Harmony
Saturday, March 11 at 10:00am
Humboldt High School – Gymnasium (New Venue)
30 Baker St. E, St. Paul
Concert Orchestra Community Concert
Saturday, March 11 at 2:00pm
St. Paul Academy
1712 Randolph Ave., St. Paul
Tickets: $6 at the door
Philharmonic Community Concert
with the Wisconsin Youth Symphony Orchestras
Saturday, March 11 at 7:00pm (New Time)
Edina High School
6754 Valley View Rd., Edina
Tickets: $6 at the door
Sponsored by Hilton Minneapolis / St. Paul Airport – Mall of America
Camerata & Concert Orchestra Community Concert
Saturday, April 22 at 4:30pm
Ted Man Concert Hall
2128 4th St. S, Minneapolis
Tickets: $6 at the door
Sponsored by All Strings Attached
Symphony Concert: Young Soloist in the Spotlight
Saturday, April 22 at 7:30pm
Ted Man Concert Hall
2128 4th St. S, Minneapolis
Tickets: $6 – $10 in advance; $10 – $14 at the door
Purchase online, at the door, or call 651.291.1144
Concertino & Philharmonic Community Concert – Free
Sunday, April 23 at 4:00pm
St. Andrew’s Lutheran Church
900 Stillwater Rd., Mahtomedi
Orchestrating Opportunities Benefit
It’s an evening you will not want to miss!! Early Bird tickets are now available for Orchestrating Opportunities, April 24, 2017. This annual fundraiser raises the roof of Orchestra Hall with excellence and vitality; both for an enjoyable social evening and for raising funds to support our students. Please join us from 6:30-8:30 p.m. and bring your friends!
Register for 2017-18 Auditions and 2017 Summer Programs!
2017-18 Auditions: June 1-4 and June 8- 11
Our eight academic-year orchestras inspire students to excel musically and socially through challenging rehearsals, unique performance opportunities, and engaging social activities. Review the audition details and register for an audition today. Need-based scholarships available.
2017 Summer Programs
GTCYS’ three non-auditioned summer orchestras provide two months of engaging summer practice for students of all levels and conclude with a performance at Como Park Pavilion. Two fun, week-long day camps provide budding young string students ages 8-13 with an introduction to playing in an orchestra. Registration for both programs closes on May 8, so be sure to complete yours soon! Need-based scholarships available.
Wendall Hagen Memorial
In February, Wendall Hagen, Eleanor Richards’ grandfather passed away all too early from cancer. When his family thought of a cause that meant a lot to Wendall, they thought of GTCYS. Wendall loved attending Eleanor’s Camerata concerts and sat afterwards in awe of the quality music the orchestra produced. The family has directed Wendall’s memorial gifts to GTCYS to honor this glow Wendall felt when his granddaughter played. GTCYS is indeed a strong musical community but in this instance, it is more like family. GTCYS is sincerely grateful to the Hagens and their friends for this generous gesture.
