ORLANDO, FL — Florida Symphony Youth Orchestras is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization that has served Central Florida for over sixty-two years. In the early 1950's, Rollins College music professor Alphonse Carlo recognized a need for a youth orchestra program in the Orlando area and accordingly organized free Saturday classes for string students in the community. Mr. Carlo's ultimate dream of forming a youth orchestra came to fruition when the popularity of his ensemble reached its stride in 1957 and the first public FSYO concert was stage in November, 1959. For the first 20 years of its existence, FSYO was supported by both Rollins College and the Florida Symphony Orchestra.
Today, FSYO serves nearly three-hundred students and is comprised of seven ensembles: three symphonic orchestras, one string-training orchestra, a chamber orchestra, and two jazz orchestras. Additionally, FSYO organizes two supplementary string programs during the fall and summer months: Sing-Song, String-Along and Stringmania Summer Camp. FSYO's program is carefully structured to encourage a student's growth throughout their primary and secondary years. Our full range of ensembles gives each student a place to excel with peers at a similar level, and an opportunity to collaborate with seasoned music professionals on local, national, and international levels. Beyond the regular season, students in FSYO's Touring Orchestra participate in life-changing experiences through annually alternating international & national tours.
MISSION:
Florida Symphony Youth Orchestras exists to encourage children and young adults, through the practice and performance of orchestral music, to become passionate leaders, thinkers, and contributors in their local community and beyond.
POSITION DESCRIPTION:
The Executive Director assumes responsibility for the management of all human and financial resources needed to achieve the Florida Symphony Youth Orchestras mission. To that end, the Executive Director is accountable for all aspects of the organization and for implementing policies set by the board of directors. The Executive Director sets the tone for organizational operations, formulating and carrying out policies and programs related to administrative, budgetary, staffing, fund-raising, and advocacy activities, and this position will often be a public face for the orchestra in community activities and patron/donor relations. The multi-faceted responsibilities call for an individual with demonstrated leadership skills and extensive management experience, the ability to assemble an effective staff, work effectively with board and community members, and collaborate with artistic personnel to ensure the integrity and growth of orchestra programming.
Because FSYO is an educational organization, the Executive Director is charged with creating and overseeing programs that encourage K-12 students to participate in and learn about classical music. Position typically interacts with musicians, teachers, community leaders, and volunteer groups. Position requires a forward-thinking, entrepreneurial leader with strong knowledge of music education, current trends in youth orchestra education, and the ability to establish community partnerships.
POSITION SUMMARY:
The Executive Director reports to the FSYO Board of Directors and is responsible for the day-to-day operation of FSYO and its overall strategic direction, administration, and fundraising consistent with the policies and directives established by the Board. The Executive Director has broad authority to guide the operations of the FSYO in collaboration with the Music Director and the FSYO Board to achieve the organization's mission and strategic goals. The Executive Director is responsible for the planning, coordination, supervision, and execution of all FSYO activities.
Learn more: web: www.fsyo.org | FB: @TheFSYO | Twitter: @FSYO | IG: @F_S_Y_O | Youtube: @fsyo
FLORIDA SYMPHONY YOUTH ORCHESTRAS ANNOUNCES 2019 CHINA TOUR WITH PERFORMANCES IN BEIJING, XI'AN, HANGZHOU, AND SHANGHAI
ORLANDO, FL - On Thursday, June 27, the Florida Symphony Youth Orchestras' (FSYO) students, parents, and staff will embark on an East Asia tour to explore famous landmarks and perform breathtaking concerts across China. Immersed in new cultures, students will gain a well-rounded experience of a lifetime during their two-week journey. Not only will students have the opportunity to meet youth from other countries, but they will also have the benefit of playing, and learning, alongside each other.
When asked how this tour will impact both FSYO students and Chinese audiences Mr. Hanrich Claassen, FSYO Music Director, remarked, "My hope for our FSYO musicians is to be inspired as life-long learners by this opportunity to travel to foreign lands and get to know a different culture. In turn, I am proud to offer to our audiences in China an engaging selection of music played by a group of diverse and accomplished musicians from Central Florida".
A highlighted piece from the tour program, building of a city, is a commissioned work by ASCAP's 2019 Young Composer Award recipient and former student of Claassen, Sam Wu. Born in Shanghai, the young composer recently completed his studies at one of the world's top music conservatories, The Juilliard School, after receiving his A.B. from Harvard University. Additional pieces that are being performed are by Balakirev, Copland, Chabrier, Mendelssohn, Dvorak, and Yuankai.
Florida Symphony Youth Orchestras' Touring Symphony is honored to perform for audiences in Beijing, Xi'an, Hangzhou, and Shanghai. Information on tickets for concerts at The Forbidden City Concert Hall, the Concert Hall of Xi'an Conservatory, the Zhejiang Concert Hall, and the Shanghai City Theatre in can be found online at www.fsyo.org.
ABOUT FSYO: Florida Symphony Youth Orchestras exists to encourage children and young adults, through the practice and performance of orchestral music, to become passionate leaders, thinkers, and contributors in their local community and beyond. In its 62nd Concert Season, FSYO serves almost 300 students and is comprised of seven ensembles - three symphony orchestras, one string-training orchestra, a chamber orchestra, two jazz orchestras - and two supplementary programs - Stringmania Summer Camp and Sing-Song, String-Along.
FSYO programs are carefully structured to encourage student growth with FSYO throughout their primary and secondary years. Florida Symphony Youth Orchestras full range of ensembles gives each student a place to excel with peers at a similar level, and an opportunity to collaborate with seasoned music professionals on local, national, and international levels. During summers, Symphonic Orchestra students participate in life-changing experiences of organized tours, alternating between international & national travel every other year.
Programs are sponsored in part by the Florida Department of State, Division of Cultural Affairs; the Florida Council on Arts and Culture; Orlando Utilities Commission; The City of Orlando, Mayor's Matching Grant; and United Arts of Central Florida. We thank these groups for their generous support.
Learn more: web: www.fsyo.org | FB: @TheFSYO | Twitter: @FSYO | IG: @F_S_Y_O | Youtube: @fsyo
For today's #FeatureFriday we are showing our appreciation to Mr. Osvaldo Quezada for being a teacher, conductor, and mentor to young students in the Central Florida community. Mr. Quezada's main instruments are classical and jazz saxophone and double bass. Mr. Quezada is the Orchestra Director and Piano Instructor for Edgewater High School where he teaches orchestra, piano, and guitar to students in ninth through twelfth grade.
We asked Mr. Quezada why he enjoys teaching and he said, "With the understanding that I have taught most of my fourteen-year career, in title one schools with many underprivileged and disadvantaged students. I do not take it lightly when I say; I teach to make a difference. Students at these schools deserve a quality education from a qualified and certified teacher that cares about the overall quality of education including the fine arts."
Mr. Quezada realized he wanted to become a teacher when he was in the seventh grade at Nautilus Junior High in Miami, FL. This was after he migrated to the United States from Panama City, Panama to be a part of the band program. His music teacher Raymond Modia was instrumental in shaping his passion for music. While attending Miami Beach Senior High School under the direction of Reginald Nicholson his class was tutored by members of the New World Symphony and were given various opportunities to perform with the North Miami Community Band.
After he graduated high school Mr. Quezada went on to Bethune Cookman University to get an undergraduate degree in music and is now currently a Master's of Music Education Candidate at Florida State University where he will be studying abroad this summer in London, England. He will be studying conducting with Dr. Jimenez and will be conducting a chamber orchestra from the Royal School of Music.
Mr. Quezada is now finishing up his second year at Edgewater High School where they have already seen tremendous growth in their Orchestra program. His students are fascinated with the masterworks of composers such as Mozart, Bach, Holst, and Warlock. When asked why Mr. Quezada thinks music education is important he said, "Music education is important to the overall academic development of all human beings. Music is essential to all cultures, religions, and communities. I always tell my students that their life goals as true music fanatics, are to travel around the world and explore the culture of the music they performed in their perspective music ensembles". Mr. Quezada personally is looking forward to visiting the St. Paul School of Girls in London England this summer.
Today’s #FeatureFriday goes out to Mrs. Jennifer Erickson for being a teacher, conductor, and mentor to young students in the Central Florida community. Mrs. Erickson grew up singing and playing piano and percussion through her secondary school years. She has since learned to play viola, violin, cello, bass, and French Horn. She is now the Orchestra Director at Southwest Middle School where she teaches six classes of orchestra daily for four different levels, from beginning to advanced.
We asked Mrs. Erickson when she realized she wanted to be a teacher, she said, “I have always wanted to be a teacher. My mother was a teacher and I liked school. In early elementary school I wondered why other children were not singing the right notes. In middle school, I helped teach class when my music teacher was absent. By the time I was in high school I was student conducting, coaching my own ensembles for evaluation, and usually getting out of my other classes to teach music all day when my teacher was absent. My band and chorus teachers were major influences on my career choice, because they allowed me to take such an involved leadership role".
Once Mrs. Erickson graduated high school she attended Stetson University where she received her undergraduate degree in music education. She then went to the University of Miami for her Masters degree in Orchestral Conducting. Ms. Erickson has been teaching in the public school system for twenty-three years and is now on her sixth year at Southwest Middle School.
When asked why Mrs. Erickson thinks music education is important, she answered, “I believe everyone should have the opportunity to do music because it teaches so many wonderful things: cooperation, communication, dedication, persistence, responsibility, trust, self-expression, and so much more. Music can transcend barriers: language, ethnicity, and socio-economics. We can all make beautiful things happen together. Music creates bonds of acceptance, friendship, and family that many students don’t have anywhere else in life.”
Mrs. Erickson enjoys teaching music because it is her passion and she can’t imagine doing anything else for a career. One of her favorite parts of teaching is seeing the students learn how to play an instrument and watching them discover their incredible expressive potential that music can create.
FLORIDA SYMPHONY YOUTH ORCHESTRAS WINS LATEST ROUND OF AMPLIFY CENTRAL FLORIDA ARTS FUNDING
90.7 WMFE PROVIDES $2,500 IN ON-AIR & ONLINE MESSAGING TO LOCAL ARTS ORGANIZATION
ORLANDO — Florida Symphony Youth Orchestras has won the latest round of Amplify Central Florida arts funding. The contest brought together fans of arts organizations across Central Florida to choose their favorites.
Florida Symphony Youth Orchestras will get $2,500 in free on-air and online messaging on 90.7 WMFE and sister station 89.5 WMFV.
FSYO is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization that has served Central Florida for 62 years. It is made up of nearly 300 students and seven ensembles: three symphonic orchestras, one string-training orchestra, a chamber orchestra, and two jazz orchestras.
Florida Symphony Youth Orchestras. Photo by Lindsay Parks Neel
"FSYO is fondly called Central Florida's best-kept secret," FSYO Executive Director Heide Evans Waldron said. "The Amplify funding will provide us with the opportunity to reach new audiences and share classical music through performance. This award will also help us spread the word that young musicians are fostered and educated in Central Florida — something to be very proud of."
About Community Communications Inc.: Community Communications Inc. is a non-profit, member-supported, community-based public broadcasting company that operates 90.7 WMFE-FM, metro Orlando's primary provider of NPR programming; 90.7-2 Classical; and since March 2018, 89.5 WMFV, public radio for The Villages, Leesburg and The Golden Triangle. Part of the community since 1980, Community Communications focuses on providing quality national and local news and programming. Visit wmfe.org and wmfv.org for more information.
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