Florida Symphony Youth Orchestras Introduces A New Ensemble: Percussion Ensemble

ORLANDO, FL - Florida Symphony Youth Orchestras (FSYO) is excited to add a new ensemble to their program offerings: Percussion Ensemble. This brand new ensemble will be led by the passionate and dynamic Mr. Paul Yorke, and the ensemble will be composed of percussion students from across Central Florida between the ages of 10 and 20.

“Whether you are a classical or jazz musician, FSYO meets you where you are and places you in an ensemble that challenges you to grow as a musician and a leader. As FSYO grows and expands its reach to include a place for every growing musician, one of the most significant needs has been what we can do to improve the programming we offer to percussionists in our region.”
-Dr. James O. Welsch, Music Director

Members of this ensemble will explore a diverse range of mallet and non-mallet instruments including marimba, vibraphone, timpani, and a host of drums from around the world while performing repertoire that focuses on developing technique and musicianship. The repertoire is unique to a percussion ensemble and includes works by living composers, commissioned works, world percussion music, and transcriptions of masterpieces.

Percussion Ensemble students will also serve as percussionists in the classical orchestras and will receive the broadest percussion education possible. These percussionists will have the opportunity to perform a multitude of musical styles, learn music from across the broadest spectrum of musical history, and create something new in their community.

FSYO is excited to be providing a new experience for Central Florida’s young percussionists. With this additional program, percussionists will receive just as much performance time as any other instrument, and they will no longer need to quietly wait in the back of the ensemble. It is time for percussionists to make some noise and be heard!

For more information about the Percussion Ensemble, email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Florida Symphony Youth Orchestras Presents Stringmania Summer Camp

ORLANDO, FL - Florida Symphony Youth Orchestras (FSYO) is excited to present Stringmania Summer Camp. Stringmania Summer Camp is a musically enriching program for student musicians. Participants are provided with fun yet challenging musical experiences that include: string orchestra & chamber ensemble experiences, chamber group coaching, instruction in fiddling and improvisation, and more. Stringmania culminates in a camp showcase at the end of each session. This year, FSYO is offering THREE separate sessions: Apprentice, Mezzo, and Chamber Orchestra. The Apprentice and Mezzo sessions will be led by Dr. Jeannine Mongeon, and the Chamber Orchestra session will be led by Dr. James Welsch.

Apprentice Session:

The Apprentice Session is a half-day session that will be held July 18^ththrough July 22^nd from 9 AM to 12 PM. Apprentice is recommended for students who are currently playing a strings instrument but have not yet played in an ensemble. Attendees will learn about the intricacies of how to be an ensemble player and gain the experience of collaborating with like minded students. The Apprentice concert will be held Friday, July, 2022. Tuition for this summer camp is $300.

Mezzo Session:

If you have participated in Stringmania before, the Mezzo Session is for you! Mezzo is an all day session for intermediate students who perform at the Overture Strings and Prelude Orchestra playing levels. Students should be playing at the Suzuki Book, Volume 2 level or higher. Students will be learning about music theory, fiddling, music history, and other special topics. The Mezzo session will be held July 25^ththrough July 29^th from 9 AM to 4 PM. The Mezzo concert will be held Friday, July, 29, 2022. Tuition for this summer camp is $400.

Chamber Orchestra Session:

The Chamber Orchestra is a two week long session that will be led by Dr. James Welsch. It will be held July 11^ththrough July 14^thand July 18^th through July 22^nd. The students will not meet July 15^th. The Chamber Orchestra session will be from 10 AM to 1 PM. Instrumentation for this chamber symphony is: Violin, Viola, Cello, Bass, Flute, Oboe, Clarinet, Bassoon, Horn, Trumpet, and Percussion. Other instruments can also be accepted. High school and college-aged students are eligible to apply. An audition is required for placement in the limited Chamber Orchestra seats. The ensemble will be performing Haydn's Symphony No. 100, "Military" on Friday, July, 22, 2022. Dr. Welsch is excited to lead the students this summer: "I'm looking forward to bringing Haydn's 100^th Symphony from his second visit to London in 1794 piece to life." Tuition for this summer camp is $300.

Click here for more information and to register for Stringmaina Summer Camp!

Florida Symphony Youth Orchestras Announces Appointment of Interim Executive Director

ORLANDO, FL - Florida Symphony Youth Orchestras’ (FSYO) Board of Directors is excited to announce our appointment for Interim Executive Director, Abigail (Abby) Goodin, effective March 28, 2022.

“Beyond the Board of Directors and staff, many of our members and community partners recognize that Abby’s passion and dedication to FSYO’s mission is ‘second-to-none’. She is positioned to provide a very unique perspective to this appointment, with previous FSYO experiences as a member (student), staff member, and even a short while as board member. The Board would like to extend our sincerest appreciation to Abby for everything she has already been doing to keep FSYO moving forward. Please join us in congratulating Abby for this opportunity!”

-Eddie Fee, Jr. – Board of Directors President

Abby was first introduced to FSYO during the 2000’s when she joined the community as a member of Overture Strings. Over the next 10 seasons, she grew within the program and became an Alum, and during her time in college, she remained connected to FSYO by volunteering at concerts and even performing with and chaperoning the tour orchestra for the Europe, Carnegie Hall, and China Tours. Since graduating from undergrad, Abby has explored other roles within FSYO such as Operations Coordinator, Board Member, Development & Marketing Manager, and now Interim Executive Director.

"After growing up in the Orlando area and experiencing the positive effects of the organization first hand, I am humbled and honored to be stepping into the role of Interim Executive Director. It truly takes a village to sustain a program for 65 years, and I know FSYO will continue enhancing the Central Florida community because of the incredible people that make up FSYO's village. I look forward to working alongside the Administrative and Artistic Teams to grow FSYO into the coming years, as well as sustaining our partnerships, and creating new ones, within the Central Florida arts scene."

-Abigail Goodin

FSYO is exceptionally grateful for the leadership, perseverance, and dedication provided by emeritus Executive Director, Briana Scales. Briana led FSYO, with great commitment to our mission, through some of the hardest times faced by arts and education organizations across the nation, as a result of impacts from the pandemic. Thank you Briana!

Florida Symphony Youth Orchestras Announces New Music Director, Dr. James Welsch

ORLANDO, FL – After an extensive search, Florida Symphony Youth Orchestras’ (FSYO) Board of Directors is honored to appoint teacher, composer, and conductor, Dr. James O. Welsch, as Music Director and Symphonic Orchestra Conductor, effective November 21, 2021.

“We are thrilled to officially welcome Dr. James Welsch to the FSYO team as Music Director and Symphonic Conductor! James is an FSYO alumnus and in his recent audition, he quickly developed a rapport with the Symphonic students that we are excited to see him build upon over the coming months and years. We are confident that the combination of his history with FSYO and the local arts community, broad experiences in high-level music education, and artistic vision and charismatic energy will be of great benefit as we move forward.”

-Eddie Fee Jr., Board of Directors President

Dr. Welsch is an experienced educator who is dedicated to the development of the whole student through the nurturing of each musician’s unique talent. He has held the dual positions of Associate Conductor of the El Paso Symphony Orchestra and Music Director and General Manager of the El Paso Symphony Youth Orchestras, where he conducts their premier ensemble. In his role with the El Paso Symphony Orchestra, he has conducted the professional musicians in a variety of Pops and educational concerts, including Carnegie Hall’s Link Up program. Dr. Welsch is the founding Music Director/Principal Conductor of Orquesta Filarmónica Juvenil México-USA “The Bridge.” This binational youth program validates his belief in the universal power of symphonic music to create bonds among people in diverse communities. The initiative brings together talented musicians from Ciudad Juarez and El Paso for orchestral performances on both sides of the border.

An active adjudicator, master class teacher, and festival conductor, Dr. Welsch has considerable experience arranging music. He received a Doctor of Musical Arts Degree from the University of Texas at Austin, a Master of Music in Orchestral Conducting from the Setnor School of Music at Syracuse University, and a Bachelor of Music in Theory and Composition from Stetson University.

"It is an extreme honor to return to the Central Florida region - my past experiences and education all seem to have been leading me right back home again to the orchestra that was so important to me in my formative musical life. I look forward to working with the artistic and administrative teams, as well as the talented young musicians a part of the FSYO in continuing their connection to their community and finding new and exciting ways of experiencing music together."

-Dr. James O. Welsch

FSYO is grateful for the Artistic guidance and leadership of Interim Symphonic Orchestra Conductor Dr. Raymond Chobaz, and he will continue his position until November 20, 2021. Dr. Chobaz has been the Professor of Music and Conductor Laureate of the Gainesville Symphony Orchestra since 1982 and the Gainesville Symphony Orchestra from its inception in 1983 to 2001. He studied at the Basel Conservatory and Schola Cantorum Basiliensis, Switzerland, where he obtained a Master of Arts degree Summa Cum Laude in Music Theory. As an International Rotary Scholar at the University of Utah, he received both a Master of Music in Orchestral Conducting under Joseph Rosenstock and a Ph.D. in Music Composition and Electronic Music under Vladimir Ussachevsky.

FLORIDA SYMPHONY YOUTH ORCHESTRAS ANNOUNCES THE DEPARTURE OF MUSIC DIRECTOR HANRICH CLAASSEN

Orlando, FL— The Florida Symphony Youth Orchestras Board of Directors announces that it has begun the search for a new Music Director following current Music Director, Hanrich Claassen’s departure from the position at the conclusion of this 64th season. Claassen, who has served FSYO as Music Director since 2016, was an integral part of the advancement of FSYO’s programs. Under his direction, Florida Symphony Youth Orchestras expanded the breadth of its musical repertoire and tested the skills of its ever-expanding student base. About his departure, Mr. Claassen says:

"It has been an honor and immense pleasure to serve and lead the FSYO as Music Director for the last 5 years. It has been my goal to continue the work all my esteemed colleagues and past music directors have done to establish us as one of the prominent youth orchestras in this country. I have worked tirelessly to nurture and promote the excellence of our students from Central Florida, as well as show the world our passion for music-making. I’m happy to have done so as far as Europe and China, as well as here at home with tours up the East Coast to Carnegie Hall in NYC and southward to Miami. My sincere thanks go out to the artistic staff Matt Davis, Sarah Morrison, Jeannine Mongeon, as well as past directors, Raine Allen and Mauricio Cespedes that helped me each step of the way. Thanks also to Jeff Rupert and Kenny Boyd that established two fantastic Jazz Orchestras as part of our student ensemble offerings.”

Other notable accomplishments of FSYO, under the musical direction of Maestro Claassen, include: a European tour in 2017, including a second-place finish in the International Summa Cum Laude competition; a tour to China in 2019; performing as the pit orchestra for Orlando Ballet’s 2019 production of the Nutcracker; and countless other collaborations.

“FSYO expanded our vision to so many areas beyond the standard orchestra repertoire realm, which has led to wonderful community engagements and collaborations with UCF Opera, The Holocaust Center, CFL Vocal Arts, Opera Orlando Youth Company, CFL Composers Forum, Timucua Arts Foundation and Orlando Ballet and School, to name a few. Thank you to the current and past members of the Board of Directors, each coordinator, administrative and operations staff member that I've had the pleasure to work with over the years. To Heide Evans and Carl Rendek and our current ED, Briana Scales for always advising, supporting, figuring-out, and helping to make my artistic dreams come true - thank you. I have brought with me an outlook of global mindedness, and with that in mind, the time has come for Kent, Mathilda, and I to move back to Europe this coming Spring, this time to Amsterdam in the Netherlands. I hope to continue serving in an administrative role from afar until a Music Director Search can be completed. I know that I will always be a part of the FSYO family - this is not farewell..." - Hanrich Claassen

The board and staff of FSYO are deeply grateful to Maestro Claassen for his significant contributions and service throughout his career with the organization. We believe his passion for music and relentless focus on student engagement have established FSYO as a leader in the Central Florida arts community. Executive Director, Briana Scales states:

“Hanrich has been a joy to work within my time with the organization. He brings such passion to all of his work and it translates to the students and their performances. He helped bring new life to an organization that needed a fresh take and set us on a path to do incredible things in the future. He will be sorely missed but I’m sure we will work together again in the future.”

The board will remain actively engaged with the administration of the organization during this transition and has already taken steps in the new Music Director search. FSYO’s daily operations, including its rehearsals and concert commitments, will continue as scheduled without interruption.

FSYO ANNOUNCES VIOLINIST MIDORI AS ARTIST IN RESIDENCE

Midori Graphic

Florida Symphony Youth Orchestras (FSYO) is thrilled to announce visionary artist, activist, and educator Midori as this season's Virtual Artist-in-Residence. As a leading concert violinist for over 35 years, Midori's unique career has been dedicated to exploring and building connections between music and the human experience.

During her time as the Virtual Artist-in-Residence, Midori will work closely with FSYO's four classical orchestras. Beginning November 10, students will participate in five virtual sessions ranging from a violin masterclass and best practice tips, to discussing Midori's role as a UN Messenger of Peace.

Music Director and Symphonic Orchestra Conductor, Hanrich Claassen, said: "We are honored to have been selected by renowned violinist and educator, Midori, for a Virtual Orchestra Residency Program. As we all navigate the 'new normal' of virtual offerings a-plenty, this will be an absolute highlight for our students, parents, and community members!"

As an added bonus, FSYO will open two of the virtual sessions to FSYO parents, the Orlando art community, and Orange County Public School music teachers. Participants are encouraged to email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for more information.

About MIDORI: Midori regularly transfixes audiences around the world, combining graceful precision and intimate expression. Among many significant associations, she has performed with the London, Chicago, and San Francisco Symphony Orchestras, the Sinfonieorchester des Bayerischen Rundfunks, the Berlin and Vienna Philharmonics, and the Mahler Chamber Orchestra. She has collaborated with such outstanding musicians as Claudio Abbado, Leonard Bernstein, Emanuel Ax, Zubin Mehta, Christoph Eschenbach, Mariss Jansons, Paavo Järvi, Omer Meir Wellber, Yo-Yo Ma, and Susanna Mälkki.

Midori's diverse discography, released by Sony Classical, Ondine, and Onyx, includes recordings of Bloch, Janáček, and Shostakovich sonatas, and a Grammy Award-winning recording of Hindemith's Violin Concerto with Christoph Eschenbach conducting the NDR Symphony Orchestra. Her traversal of the complete Bach Sonatas and Partitas for Solo Violin was filmed for DVD at Köthen Castle and was released by Accentus.

Midori is deeply committed to furthering humanitarian and educational goals. She has founded and manages several non-profit organizations, including Midori & Friends, which provides music programs for New York City youth and communities, and MUSIC SHARING, a Japan-based foundation that brings both western classical and Japanese music traditions into young lives by presenting programs in schools, institutions, and hospitals. In recognition of such commitments, she serves as a United Nations Messenger of Peace.

Midori was born in Osaka in 1971 and began her violin studies with her mother, Setsu Goto, at an early age. In 1982, the conductor Zubin Mehta invited the then 11-year-old Midori to perform with the New York Philharmonic in the orchestra's annual New Year's Eve concert, helping to lay the foundation for her resulting career.

Midori plays the 1734 Guarnerius del Gesù "ex-Huberman". She uses four bows – two by Dominique Peccatte, one by François Peccatte, and one by Paul Siefried.