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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.

So much has already happened this season with the FSYO. Our annual concerts have gone off without a hitch, while some great, once in a lifetime events, like the Rex Brothers Live concert, were introduced. Edgewater High School proved to be a fantastic new host for our practices and events and this is just the half!

As we prepare for the New Year, let's take a moment to look back at the first half of this amazing 2014-2015 FSYO season!

For Immediate Release

ORLANDO, FL– On Saturday, December 6th, 2014, the Florida Symphony Youth Orchestra will once again join forces with WMKG Local 6 and the City of Orlando to present the fourth annual WKMG Local 6 Holiday Concert. The concert will feature the FSYO orchestras and will serve to benefit the Salvation Army's Angel Tree Network. In past seasons, attendees contributed $600 in Salvation Army Red Kettle donations and over 160 gifts for children in need.

Hosted by WKMG Local 6 talent, and featuring FSYO's four award winning youth orchestras, this concert will ring in the holiday season with sing-a-longs, Yule-tide cheer and a very special ho-ho-holiday guest. The concert will begin at 6 p.m. at the Lake Eola Band Shell, 195 N Rosalind Avenue, in Downtown Orlando and is free to the public; however in keeping with the spirit of the season, and in support of The Salvation Army's Angel Tree Network, the FSYO kindly asks attendees to bring a new toy or new clothing item for donation.

ABOUT: The Florida Symphony Youth Orchestra aims to educate and inspire Central 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. The FSYO is a non-profit 501(c)(3) charitable organization. For more information, please visit www.fsyo.org.

ABOUT: WKMG Local 6 is one of the foremost television stations in the Central Florida area. Serving nine counties, WKMG Local 6 provides award-winning daily-newscasts, in-depth investigations, local entertainment and network programming to the community. Known for being Central Florida's first television station, Local 6 has received numerous accolades for their work including the prestigious Edward R. Murrow Award and multiple Emmy and Associated Press awards. Owned by Post-Newsweek Stations, Inc., a division of the Washington Post Company, WKMG Local 6 is Central Florida's source for CBS. Local 6 serves the public through the Good Neighbor 6 community outreach program, bringing important, life-saving information to Central Floridians through special events and programming. Additionally, Local 6 exclusively broadcasts RetroTV, which brings viewers all their favorite television classics. Visit clickorlando.com for continuous updates on local news, weather & sports.

The spotlight this month is on Alex Koller. A talented freshman violist quickly moving up in the orchestra. We had a few questions for him and managed to get some time to sit down and chat while he was volunteering at last summer's StringMania Camp.

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FSYO: How long have you been in FSYO? What made you want to join?

Alex: The upcoming 2014-2015 season will be my third year with the FSYO. After my first school year of playing viola, my middle school orchestra director thought that I should give it a try and I'm so glad that I did!

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FSYO: What do you do when you're not rehearsing?

Alex: Theatre is my second passion. I've been volunteering and attending classes at the Orlando Shakespeare Theater for the past 9 years. I made my professional debut in their 2012-2013 Signature Series production of Titus Andronicus, working with actors that had credits spanning from Broadway to India! In fact, one of the cast members is best friends with Yo-Yo Ma!

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FSYO: What's one thing that you would like to change in the world?

Alex: I would eliminate prejudice. It tears people, communities, and nations apart. I believe music unites us. A baton won't end human conflict, but in that moment, when it's conducting, it joins and merges humanity.

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Come see Alex and the rest of the orchestra this Saturday, December 6th at the FSYO Annual Holiday Concert!

Have more questions for Alex? Email us at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

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.

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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!

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