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img 0591 resize The Florida Symphony Youth Orchestra is now accepting applications for the 57th concert season beginning in August 2013. The FSYO focuses on educating, inspiring and encouraging young musicians in Central Florida.

FSYO auditions are for standard orchestral instruments and are held annually for both new and returning members. Each ensemble has a limited number of spots and an audition does not guarantee placement in FSYO. Acceptance and orchestra placement is a competitive, merit-based process in which auditionees must meet requirements for consideration.Praised as one of the top youth orchestras in the country, the FSYO seeks dedicated, talented young musicians from around Central Florida to join one of four orchestras.

FSYO students will enjoy a rich educational experience during Sunday rehearsals, and varied concert experiences throughout the year. Ninety percent of FSYO alumni advance to college, many at some of the finest music schools in the country, including the Julliard School of Music, Eastman School of Music, Oberlin Conservatory, and New England Conservatory.

Auditions require that students prepare a specific excerpt posted on the FSYO website (FSYO.org) 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 2013-2014 season are due by April 19, 2013.

The FSYO, currently in its 56th Concert Season, comprises three full orchestras, one string training orchestra and various chamber groups, made up of more than 250 students from eight Central Florida counties, including Orange, Osceola, Lee, Seminole, Brevard, Lake, Highlands 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; 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.

2012-13 FSYO Concert Poster Children Helping Children FSYO's March 17, 2013, Symphonic Orchestra Concert Geared to Younger Ears

The Children Helping Children Concert on Sunday, March 17, 2013, will feature the Florida Symphony Youth Orchestra's pre-professional Symphonic Orchestra in an annual performance geared to introducing young community members to classical music.

This year, we are proud to announce that FSYO will be partnering with The Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida. This is a local nonprofit organization that aims to end hunger in the greater Orlando area. They provide several services to families in need such as emergency food pantries, low income daycare centers, and soup kitchens. FSYO is suggesting that each concert attendee donate some nonperishable food items in order to support the Second Harvest Food Bank. For more information on their organization, please visit www.foodbankcentralflorida.org.

The concert will take place at 3 p.m. at College Park Baptist Church, 1914 Edgewater Drive. Tickets range from $8 to $16 and are available now through The Red Chair Project (www.redchairproject.com), or by calling the FSYO office at 407.999.7800. This concert is part of the Season Subscription Package.

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 56th Concert Season, comprises three full orchestras, one string training orchestra and various chamber groups, made up of more than 250 students from eight Central Florida counties, including Orange, Osceola, Lee, Seminole, Brevard, Lake, Highlands 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; 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.

Erin Final Headshot Web

We are happy to welcome Erin Winget Hoyer to our team! Find out more about Erin below.

Erin Winget Hoyer came to the Florida Symphony Youth Orchestra in January 2013 as the Member Relations Coordinator. A North Carolina native, Erin earned her BA from Wake Forest University in 2006. She moved to the Central Florida area in 2012 with her husband Jacob. Erin brings to FSYO a broad background with several non-profits including Alexander Youth Network in Charlotte, NC. Working three years with Adventures in Missions, an international mission organization, Erin pioneered the logistics department for the World Race program. She has traveled to over 20 countries and is passionate about connecting people cross-culturally.

Erin is currently enrolled in the Rollins College Crummer Business School Executive Management Certification program. When she is not working with FSYO she can be found riding her horse Gusto and exploring all the outdoor adventures that Florida has to offer.

On Sunday, January 27 our Symphonic Orchestra performed for over 500 guest at the Celebration Foundation Classical Concert Series. This concert featured one of our concerto finalist Emily Pease. Emily is a senior at Lyman High School in Longwood, FL. Her trumpet career began in elementary school band at age 11. Since then, she has been in band and jazz ensembles throughout middle school and high school, where she is Field Commander of the Lyman Marching Greyhounds. She plans on attending either the University of South Florida or the University of Texas in Austin to major in Music Performance with a minor in Psychology.

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Emily Pease performing Concerto for Trumpet and Strings in E flat Major by J. B. G. Neruda

Music Director Andrew Lane conducting FSYO's Symphonic Orchestra.

2012-13 FSYO Concert Poster Music Education

The Florida Symphony Youth Orchestra's Celebration of Music Education Concert on will take place on Sunday, February 10, 2013. The concert will honor an array of music educators throughout Central Florida, who strive to enrich the lives of young musicians. As always, Florida teachers receive complimentary admission to this and all FSYO concerts.

It is important to recognize music educators for several reasons. Studies show that music education is highly beneficial in several ways; from cognitive development to organizational skills that are essential in the workforce. According to a 2006 U.S. Gallup Poll, 94% of respondents believe music is part of a well-rounded education, and that schools should offer instrument music instruction as part of the regular curriculum. By regularly acknowledging the importance of music education, the public can gain insight on how music changes the lives of instructors, performers, and audiences.

The Celebration Concert begins at 3 p.m. at College Park Baptist Church, 1914 Edgewater Drive. Tickets range from $8 to $16, and are available now through The Red Chair Project (www.redchairproject.com), or by calling the FSYO office at 407.999.7800. This concert is part of the Season Subscription Package.

TD Charitable Foundation Supports Florida Symphony Youth Orchestra with Donation

February 15, 2013 – Orlando, Fl – The TD Charitable Foundation, the charitable giving arm of TD Bank, America's Most Convenient Bank®, recently donated a total of $10,000 to Florida Symphony Youth Orchestra as part of the bank's commitment to giving back to the community.

Florida Symphony Youth Orchestra, is a local youth orchestra program whose members develop discipline, teamwork, and leadership skills through music education and performance. The funds from the TD Charitable Foundation will contribute to special music programs such as the Sing Song, String- Along, which connects music education with literacy in the Central Florida community.

"On behalf of Florida Symphony Youth Orchestra I am honored to play a role in furthering music education in Central Florida. I believe Florida Symphony Youth Orchestra is the platform for world-class musicians to develop their skills." – Heide Evans Waldron, Executive Director, Florida Symphony Youth Orcehstra

The FSYO, in its 56th 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.

A staunch commitment to active involvement in the local community is a vital element of the TD Bank philosophy. TD Bank, America's Most Convenient Bank® and the TD Charitable Foundation provide support to affordable housing, financial literacy and education, and environmental initiatives, many of which focus on improving the welfare of children and families.

About the TD Charitable Foundation

The TD Charitable Foundation is the charitable giving arm of TD Bank N.A., which operates as TD Bank, America's Most Convenient Bank®, and is one of the 10 largest commercial banking organizations in the United States. The Foundation's mission is to serve the individuals, families and businesses in all the communities where TD Bank operates, having made $99.3 million in charitable donations since its inception in 2002. The Foundation's areas of focus are affordable housing, financial literacy and education, and the environment. More information on the TD Charitable Foundation, including an online grant application, is available at www.TDBank.com.

Florida Symphony Youth Orchestra Now Taking Audition Applications

FSYO to host Children Helping Children Concert

FSYO Welcomes Member Relations Coordinator

FSYO Featured in the Celebration Foundation Concert Series

FSYO To Honor Educators With Celebration Concert

TD Charitable Foundation Supports FSYO