FSYO Honors Educators Through Music

For Immediate Release

ORLANDO, Fla. – On February 15, 2015, the Florida Symphony Youth Orchestra will present their annual Celebration of Music Education Concert. This special concert event will feature performances from three of the organization's orchestras and will honor music educators throughout the Central Florida area for their passion and dedication to the development of our future leaders.

FSYO recognizes music educators and the life changing work they do every day. Their devotion imparts an invaluable experience in the lives of their students and enhances the level at which organizations, like FSYO, can perform. In the words of Aristotle, "Music has the power of producing a certain effect on the moral character of the soul, and if it has the power to do this, it is clear that the young must be directed to music and must be educated in it." By acknowledging and celebrating the key role music education plays in the lives of youth, the audience can experience and appreciate the merits of the players and the educators that have inspired them.

This concert also offers the FSYO the opportunity to present the "Outstanding Music Educator" award to one extraordinary music educator. This year's special honor will go to Jennie Lou Klim, who has taken great leaps to offer music education to young musicians, including: beginning string programs in public school systems, starting summer string camps, conducting workshops, and co-founding The Somerset Music Festival. When asked about Ms. Klim, Andrew Lane (FSYO Music Director and Symphonic Orchestra Conductor) said, "Jennie Lou [Klim] is one of those wonderful teachers we think of when we see or hear the phrase 'Thank a Teacher If....'. She has inspired countless young musicians in the Central Florida area. Music teachers like Jennie Lou are an essential part FSYO's success."

Join us as we celebrate Ms. Klim and all of our remarkable music educators at The Celebration of Music Education Concert – 3:00 p.m., Sunday, February 15, 2015 at the Edgewater High School Performing Arts Center – 3100 Edgewater Drive, Orlando, FL 32804. Open to the public, ticket prices range from $8 to $16 and can be purchased through the FSYO website (www.fsyo.org) or at the door. This concert is part of the Season Subscription Package. As always, teachers receive free admission to this and all FSYO concerts.

About FSYO: The Florida Symphony Youth Orchestra aims to educate and inspire Central Florida's top young musicians via 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, one string training orchestra and various chamber groups, made up of more than 250 students from nine Central Florida counties, including Orange, Osceola, Lee, Seminole, Brevard, Lake, Highlands, Polk and Volusia. 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. We thank these groups for their generous support. The FSYO is a non-profit 501(c)(3) charitable organization. For more information, please visit www.fsyo.org | facebook.com/THEFSYO | @fsyo

About Jennie Lou Klim: Jennie Lou Klim began string programs in public school systems, started summer string camps, and conducted workshops in both Pennsylvania and Florida. In 1985, she co-founded The Somerset Music Festival and Summer School serving as its Executive Director and teacher for five years. This initiative received national recognition because of its excellent program and faculty of internationally known master teachers and soloists. As a performer, she served as concertmaster and soloist with the International Cathedral Music Festival in Salisbury, Coventry, and London, England. As an author, she has written method books for the private teachers of violin, viola, cello, and bass; method books in unison for the classroom, and numerous etude and solo collections for the beginning violin student. Her former students play professionally as members of symphony orchestras, teaching privately and in the public school systems. She continues an active schedule of teaching, playing, and serving as a consultant or clinician.

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