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Hanrich Claassen

The Florida Symphony Youth Orchestra has appointed cellist, conductor, and educator Hanrich Claassen as the new music director and conductor of the Symphonic Orchestra for our upcoming 2016-2017 season.

"I immediately fell in love with the passionate, energetic young musicians' joyous approach to music making and I look forward to exploring a wide variety of repertoire and projects with this vibrant organization. Together with our wonderful artistic and executive team, I am excited to cultivate innovative programs and initiatives to make our organization even more visible and expand the love of music within our community." – Hanrich Claassen

An international performing cellist and pianist, as well as conductor, Mr. Claassen musically began at the University of the Free State in South Africa, earning a Bachelor's in Music with cello and piano. Continuing his cello studies, Claassen obtained a Music Honours degree and his Master's degree in chamber music at the University of Stellenbosch. Mr. Claassen then finished his Teaching Licentiate at the University of South Africa with distinction, and continuing his cello study in 2003 in Portugal.

"We are absolutely delighted to have Mr. Claassen joining the FSYO and very much look forward to his input and vision for the organization. We have no doubt that Hanrich will draw on his diverse musical background to bring new strengths to FSYO and the Symphonic Orchestra. He clearly bonded with the students during rehearsal and I believe the students are looking forward to working with him" – Stephen Schenck, Board President

Mr. Matthew Davis will continue to act as the interim music director and the conductor for the Symphonic Orchestra until the completion of the 2015-2016 season.

ABOUT: 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 59th 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 |facebook.com/THEFSYO | @fsyo (twitter) | @f_s_y_o (instagram) | youtube.com/fsyo

About Hanrich Claassen: Hanrich Claassen is a passionate cellist, conductor and educator who believes that a balance between educating and performing music is the key to true artistic enlightenment.

Mr. Claassen obtained his Bachelor of Music in both piano and cello at the University of the Free State in South Africa. He furthered his cello studies at the University of Stellenbosch, where he completed both a Music Honours Degree and his Master's Degree in Chamber Music. Mr. Claassen was awarded the Teacher's Licentiate from the University of South Africa with distinction before furthering his cello studies in Portugal in 2003 at the Escola Superior de Artes Aplicadas.

The Florida Symphony Youth Orchestra wrapped up it's 59th season this past Sunday, May 1, at the Bob Carr Theatre. All four of our orchestras were showcased, performing works by Dvorak, Holst, and Kalinnikov, as well as a violin concerto by Khachaturian performed by one of our Concerto Competition winners, John Horzen. With over 850 parents, educators, family members and friends attending, the hall was packed! 33 Seniors were recognized in a graduation ceremony for the exemplary work they have done as musicians and individuals. They are now moving on to spread their wings and talents in the musical world. Congratulations seniors! Hanrich Claassen performed his first concert with the FSYO, conducting the Philharmonia Orchestra. The orchestra also held a silent auction on Sunday, raising over $9,000 for the FSYO! The items and baskets in the auction were donated by businesses within the Central Florida community. With the 60th season fast approaching, we are making all sorts of preparations. The FSYO is happy to announce that we are taking a group of musicians on an international tour! Details about location and cost will be released in the coming months.

FSYO is hosting it's Stringmania! Summer camp July 18-30. This is a string summer camp for students ages 7-15 playing at Suzuki book level 2 or higher. There is a showcase concert that concludes the camp where the students perform all of the music they have learned over the two week camp. A normal day at Stringmania! Includes group and chamber rehearsals, group games, and coaching from some of our Symphonic Orchestra members. Registration is available on our website.

Programs are sponsored in part by the Florida Department of State, Division of Cultural Affairs; the Florida Council on Arts and Culture; 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 | facebook.com/THEFSYO |@fsyo (twitter) | @f_s_y_o (instagram) | youtube.com/fsyo

Wrapping up its 59th season, the Florida Symphony Youth Orchestra will celebrate another year of musical excellence with its finale concert at the Bob Carr Theater on Sunday, May 1st 2016. All four orchestras in the organization will be featured, as they perform works from such composers such as Dvorak, Stravinsky and Kalinnikov. In addition, John Horzen will perform his concerto by composer Aram Khachaturian with the Symphonic orchestra. Over 35 graduating seniors will be recognized at the concert as they leave the orchestra to reach newer heights as musicians and individuals. The orchestra will be hosting a silent auction during the event, consisting of gift baskets full of items donated by businesses in the local community. The concert will begin at 4:00 PM. Tickets are available through the FSYO website (www.fsyo.org), and range from $8 to $20. As usual, teachers receive free admission to this and all FSYO events!

John Horzen Resize ABOUT: John Horzen is a senior in the Cypress Creek High School International Baccalaureate Program. Balancing academics with his music, he has been concertmaster of the CCHS orchestra for four years. He was also concertmaster of the award-winning pit orchestra for the CCHS productions of Miss Saigon and Beauty and the Beast. John has been an Orange County All-County participant for six years and and a Florida All-State performer for five. Now in his tenth season with FSYO, he is the associate concertmaster of the Symphonic Orchestra. John has spent five fantastic years studying violin with Dr. Lev Gurevich. He started playing violin with Susan Gray McCoy at the age of four.

At the Brevard Summer Music Festival, John has twice been associate concertmaster under conductors Keith Lockhart (Boston Pops) and Ken Lam (Charleston Symphony). While at Brevard, John studied violin with Atlanta Symphony second violinist (and FSYO alumnus) Jay Christy, and Professor Carolyn Huebl (Vanderbilt University). For two years running, John's string quartet represented the Brevard high school program for the Shanghai Quartet master class. This past summer, John was one of only two high school students selected to perform for the college master class with Noah Bendix-Balgley, First Concertmaster of the Berlin Philharmonic.

In October, John participated in the National Honors Ensemble Orchestra in Nashville, Tennessee. He served as third chair, second violin for the ensemble's final performance at the Grand Ole Opry under the baton of Maestro Jung Ho. John is proud to have twice been a finalist for the Bach Festival Young Artist Competition and a first prize winner for concerto in Florida regional competition. He is a two-time winner of the FSYO Concerto Competition. John will be attending Vanderbilt University in the fall, planning to double-major in Violin Performance and Computer Science.

ABOUT: 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 59th 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;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 | facebook.com/THEFSYO |@fsyo (twitter) | @f_s_y_o (instagram) | youtube.com/fsyo

The Florida Symphony Youth Orchestra is now accepting applications for their upcoming 60th concert season beginning in August 2016. FSYO is calling for young, high spirited Central Florida musicians to embark on a journey of musical education, inspiration and development.

FSYO is distinguished as one of the nation's top youth orchestras. Their focus on providing students with a complete educational experience during rehearsals and in a variety of live performance opportunities throughout the year contributes to the students' and program's success. A majority of their alumni have continued onto college, many pursuing music at prestigious schools such as Juilliard School of Music, Eastman School of Music, Oberlin Conservatory, New England Conservatory, among others.

FSYO auditions are for standard orchestral instruments and will be held for both new and returning members. Membership is available for all four of FSYO's award winning orchestras. Please take into consideration that each ensemble has a limited number of spots and an audition does not guarantee placement in FSYO. Acceptance and placement is completely merit-based, and those who audition are subjected to meet specific criteria to be considered.

Auditions require that participants prepare a specific excerpt posted on the FSYO website here for the orchestra for which they are auditioning, as well as a one-minute solo of their choice and scales as listed. Applications for the 2016-2017 season are due by Friday April 22, 2016.

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 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 | facebook.com/THEFSYO | @fsyo (twitter) | @f_s_y_o (instagram) | youtube.com/fsyo

The 2015-2016 season opener at Bob Carr Theater was a thrill and a testament to the dedication of the members of the FSYO. With our 2015-2016 season well underway, we were delighted to share music with nearly 1,000 people on October 18.

From the cinematic African Adventure, performed by Sarah Morrison and Overture Strings; to the powerful opening of Dvorak's Symphony No. 9, -- inspired by American spirituals -- led by Mauricio Cespedes with Prelude; to the sprightly, catchy melodies of Aaron Copland, performed by Michael Simpson and Philharmonia; to the gripping music of Tchaikovsky and Prokofiev, under the baton of Matthew Davis and our Symphonic Orchestra, there was something for everyone.

Friends and family of our talented young musicians, as well as new audience members, were all impressed by the collaborative spirit of our orchestras and the desire to push their limits to new levels of excellence. The highlight of the evening was a guest appearance by Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra Concertmaster Rimma Bergeron-Langlois, who joined our Symphonic Orchestra for a superb performance of the first movement of Prokofiev's Violin Concerto No. 1.

We thank all parents, friends, family, and music fans for coming down to the Bob Carr to celebrate the love for music that brings together all FSYO members and keeps us going.

This year FSYO was honored to utilize Snap! Orlando as a back drop for our annual photo shoot with photographer Tina Craig.

The mission of Snap! Orlando is to boldly increase the visibility and appreciation of the photographic medium as a significant cultural art form. Photography plays a critical role in society as a vehicle for cultural documentation and reflection. Snap! seeks to increase exposure to this highly accessible art form and to broaden the demographic of engaged art enthusiasts within our community.

We feel that Snap! Orlando captures the spirit of community. These photos represent young musicians as they evolve in 2015.

Photos will be displayed in FSYO's 2015-2016 season programs, brochures and on concert posters. Here's a behind the scenes look: