On November 16, 2014, the Florida Symphony Youth Orchestra's Symphonic Orchestra put on a fantastic concert at Edgewater High School featuring FSYO alums, Charles Rex (New York Philharmonic – Past Associate Concertmaster, Violin) and Christopher Rex (Atlanta Symphony – Principal Cello). Fifty years ago, the Rex brothers made their Central Florida solo debut, performing the Brahms Double as members of the Florida Symphony Youth Orchestra. This year, in honor of this anniversary, they returned to their roots to perform the piece that gave them their start.
Christopher Rex preparing for rehearsal.
The day began with a rehearsal of the Brahms piece, followed by a special coaching session with the Rex Brothers on the other pieces in the performance. Following the coaching session, the FYSO's Symphonic Orchestra took the stage with the Rex Brothers for an beautiful performance!
The Rex Brothers on stage with FSYO's Symphonic Orchestra.
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If you missed the Concerto Competition recital, you missed an amazing musical experience. All of our finalists played marvelously and the judges had a very tough decision to make. This year's prestigious group of judges included David Bjella - Professor of Cello at Stetson University, Keiko Andrews - Pianist with the Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra, and Joey Vascik - Trombonist with the Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra. Congratulations are in order to our 3 concerto winners who will be performing with FSYO's Symphonic Orchestra at these concerts:
Celebration Foundation, Classic Concert Series - February 8, 2015:
Hannah Lindvall, Violin: Violin Concerto No. 5 in A Major, K.219, W.A. Mozart
Children Helping Children - March 15, 2015:
Matthew Mignardi, Trumpet: Concerto, Alexander Arutunian
FSYO Season Finale - May 10, 2015:
Jessica Chancey, Flute: Fantaisie Pastorale Hongroise, Op 26 - Franz Doppler
For more information and to purchase tickets to these concerts click here.
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The Florida Symphony Youth Orchestra wants you to stand up and say, "I'm with the orchestra" this holiday season! FSYO has joined #GivingTuesday, a first of its kind effort that will harness the collective power of a unique blend of partners—charities, families, businesses and individuals—to transform how people think about, talk about and participate in the giving season. Taking place December 2, 2014 – the Tuesday after Thanksgiving – #GivingTuesday will harness the power of social media to create a national moment around the holidays dedicated to giving, similar to how Black Friday and Cyber Monday have become days that are, today, synonymous with holiday shopping.
Currently in its 58th concert season, the Florida Symphony Youth Orchestra strives to inspire Florida's top young musicians but what's more inspiring than the support of their community? The money saved from Black Friday shopping can be put to good use, as you make your tax deductible donation to help FSYO students strive for musical excellence. FSYO's students and staff have all joined in and now it's the community's turn to become part of the orchestra! Donate on December 2nd and then join us by posting/tweeting our message:
@FSYO #ImWithTheOrchestra http://bit.ly/donatetofsyo
On October 12, 2014, the Overture Strings, Prelude, Philharmonia and Symphonic orchestras of the Florida Symphony Youth Orchestra presented their season opener concert. Rookie and returning students braved the big theater at the Bob Carr to a crowd of almost 800. We would like to thank all of our members for their hard work so far this season and congratulate them on a fantastic concert.
This concert also premeired our new FYSO merchandise, which is available for purchase online at https://squareup.com/market/fsyo, as well as at our performances.
Congratulations to our newest conductor, Dr. Mauricio Cespedes, for a wonderful job in his first concert leading the Prelude orchestra.
Special thanks to Orange TV for filming our concert and Yum Yum Cupcakes for our delicious reception! We also would like to extend an extra thank you to our sponsors, OUC, the State of Florida, Department of State, Division of Cultural Affairs and the Florida Council on Arts and Culture, Darden Restaurant Foundation, Universal Orlando Foundation, The Central Florida Foundation and United Arts of Central Florida.
For Immediate Release
Florida Symphony Youth Orchestra Presents The Rex Brothers Live on November 16th
ORLANDO, FL – The Florida Symphony Youth Orchestra is excited to bring back FSYO Alumni Charles and Christopher Rex for a very special performance experience. Fifty years ago, Charles Rex (New York Philharmonic – Past Associate Concertmaster, Violin) and Christopher Rex (Atlanta Symphony – Principal Cello) made their Central Florida solo debut, performing the Brahms Double as members of the Florida Symphony Youth Orchestra. This year, in honor of this anniversary, they are returning to their roots to perform the piece that gave them their start.
On how it feels to be returning for this occasion, Charles Rex said, "It is a real thrill to be reliving a time from fifty years ago when Chris and I first played the Brahms Double Concerto with the Florida Symphony Youth Orchestra... I am delighted to know that the FSYO continues to this day, doing its valuable work of providing musical training for talented young musicians."
The day will begin with a rehearsal of the Brahms piece with the FSYO's Symphonic Orchestra; after which, the Rex Brothers will host a special coaching session for the students on the other concert pieces. Having an opportunity to work with the students, in addition to playing with them, was important to the brothers. When asked why, Charles Rex replied, "the orchestra provided excellent training for my later education in playing in ensembles, but most of all, friendships were formed that have lasted a lifetime... I further know that, as with me, this orchestra will provide its current members with musical and social experiences that they will never forget."
Following the coaching session, FSYO's Symphonic Orchestra will take the stage to accompany the Rex Brothers as they grace Central Florida with their talents and connect with this generation of young musicians. Audience members can join this exciting event by purchasing tickets - $10 for Students/Seniors, $15 for Adults - through the FSYO website (www.fsyo.org). The concert begins at 5 p.m. Sunday, November 16, at Edgewater High School – 3100 Edgewater Drive, Orlando, FL 32804 in the Performing Arts Center.
ABOUT THE REX BROTHERS: Violinist Charles Rex was born into a musical family in Winter Park, Florida. He started his violin studies at age four under Alphonse Carlo, professor of violin at Rollins. Following his solo debut with the Florida Symphony at age 13, he won the Hinda Honigmann Scholarship Award to the Brevard Music Center in North Carolina and toured as soloist with the BMC Orchestra throughout North and South Carolina. Mr. Rex was awarded a full scholarship to Florida State University (FSU). Immediately after graduating cum laude from FSU with bachelor and master of music degrees in performance, Mr. Rex joined The Philadelphia Orchestra under Eugene Ormandy where he played for eight years before accepting the position of Associate Concertmaster of the New York Philharmonic under Zubin Mehta, a post he held for 19 years.
Principal Cello, Christopher Rex joined the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra (ASO) as Principal in 1979, the same year in which he became the first cellist ever to win the string prize in the biennial Young Artists Competition of the National Federation of Music Clubs. Since then he has appeared as recitalist and chamber musician across the nation.
Mr. Rex's solo performances with the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra include Strauss's Don Quixote and concertos by Shostakovich, Victor Herbert, Dvořák, and Elgar. He is a founding member of the Georgian Chamber Players, and is the founder and General and Artistic Director of the Amelia Island Chamber Music Festival in Florida. He is also Artistic Director of the Madison Chamber Music Festival in Georgia and is on the Board of Directors of Chamber Music America.
ABOUT FSYO: The Florida Symphony Youth Orchestra aims to educate and inspire Florida's top young musicians through programs committed to strengthening musical talents and developing appreciation of the arts through classical music. The FSYO, in its 58th Concert Season, comprises three full orchestras and one string training orchestra made up of more than 250 students from eight Central Florida counties.
Programs are sponsored in part by the Florida Department of State, Division of Cultural Affairs; the Florida Council on Arts and Culture; Darden Restaurant Foundation; Universal Orlando Foundation; The Central Florida Foundation and United Arts of Central Florida. The FSYO is a non-profit 501(c)(3) charitable organization. For more information, please visit www.fsyo.org.
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