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composers logo ORLANDO, FL – In partnership with Florida Symphony Youth Orchestras (FSYO), the Central Florida Composers Forum invited current members to apply for one of five composer residencies with ensembles within the FSYO organization. Residencies will take place during FSYOs 63rd concert season with the unifying theme for all residences being PULSE. Each composer was left to interpret that theme in any meaningful and appropriate way.

Overture Strings will premiere a commissioned piece by composer Ryan McQuinn during the POPs in the Garden concert on Sunday, February 9, 2020, at The Grove at Mead Botanical Garden. "My piece for the young children in Overture Strings embraces unity while celebrating diversity," says McQuinn. "It's wonderful to witness the youngest musicians learning to walk. I hope that my piece helps them feel more sure-footed and inspires confidence that bolsters their journey."

The Prelude Orchestra will premiere a commissioned piece by Timothy Stulman during the Spring Classics concert on Sunday, March 8, 2020 at Edgewater High School. "It's an honor to have the chance to work with such talented young musicians," says Stulman. "Young players are often times even more creative and receptive than seasoned professionals, since the world is newer for them." Also premiering a piece during the Spring Classics alongside the Philharmonia Orchestra is composer Alex Burtzos. Burtzos notes, "My piece for the Philharmonia Orchestra addresses the word PULSE according to its musical, biological, and historical meanings; it's an emotional work that will demand a virtuosic response from these talented young performers."

The Jazz 1 Orchestra will premiere a commissioned piece by composer Scott Dickinson during the Jazz at Blue Bamboo concert on Sunday, April 19, 2020 at Blue Bamboo Center for the Arts. "I'm thrilled to get the chance to compose for the gifted young musicians that comprise the FSYO Jazz Orchestra," says Dicksinon. "There are few experiences that can invigorate a future composer like performing a new piece written specifically for you! I'll be creating a piece that's both tailored to the strengths of the musicians, and also inspired by our shared theme of PULSE."

The Symphonic Orchestra, led by Music Director Hanrich Claassen, will premiere a commissioned piece by composer Brandon Martin during FSYO's 63rd Season Finale concert on Sunday, May 3, 2020 at Calvary Orlando. "I seek to write a piece that addresses the Pulse Shooting: not only exploring the grief and sadness in its aftermath, but also the healing, the affirmation of self, and the celebration of being alive," says Martin. "I am excited to work with an organization such as FSYO that is passionate about educating the next generation of musicians."

Tickets for each of the concerts may be purchased online at www.fsyo.org with special pricing for children, student, senior, and military. Florida academic and private teachers receive free admission to all FSYO season subscription concerts with proof of I.D.

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ORLANDO, FL — The Florida Symphony Youth Orchestras announced Briana Scales has been named Executive Director of the Central Florida nonprofit that exists to encourage children and young adults, through the practice and performance of orchestral music, to become passionate leaders, thinkers, and contributors in their local community and beyond.

"All of us at the Florida Symphony Youth Orchestras are thrilled to have Briana back with the organization. With her knowledge of arts administration and understanding of artistic merit, I couldn't think of anyone more fitting for the position as Executive Director." Stephen Schenck, FSYO Board President, said. "Her passion for the arts will be crucial as we continue to grow in the coming years."

Scales originally joined the FSYO family in 2013 as a Member Relations Coordinator and moved through the ranks, serving as the Manager of Philanthropy before moving to her new position. Scales' hiring comes as the organization implements a plan of strategic growth and prepares to launch the 63rd concert season.

"I am honored to be returning to Florida Symphony Youth Orchestras as the Executive Director. I've watched FSYO grow so much over the years and I am excited to lead the organization as we continue that growth. As a musician, I know the importance and impact of arts education and I look forward to helping the organization continue to reach and enhance the lives of Central Florida's youth."

About Briana: Briana earned her Undergraduate Degree in Music (Classical Vocal Performance) and Psychology from Kalamazoo College and her Master's Degree in Entertainment Business from Full Sail University. She also received a Certificate in Business Leadership from the Crummer Graduate School of Business at Rollins College. Briana specializes in operations, event planning, non-profit fundraising, music education, and customer service.

In addition to her vocal degree, Briana plays the cello and piano. She has performed in an orchestra since the 4th grade and understands the time and dedication it takes to be a successful member. Briana knows first-hand the impact that a strong arts education can have on a young life and will strive to use that knowledge to encourage the students of FSYO and strengthen the organization's relationship with the Central Florida community.

About FSYO: Florida Symphony Youth Orchestras exists to encourage children and young adults, through the practice and performance of orchestral music, to become passionate leaders, thinkers, and contributors in their local community and beyond. In its 63rd Concert Season, FSYO serves almost 300 students and is comprised of seven ensembles - three symphony orchestras, one string-training orchestra, a chamber orchestra, two jazz orchestras - and two supplementary programs - Stringmania Summer Camp and Sing-Song, String-Along.

FSYO programs are carefully structured to encourage student growth with FSYO throughout their primary and secondary years. Florida Symphony Youth Orchestras full range of ensembles gives each student a place to excel with peers at a similar level, and an opportunity to collaborate with seasoned music professionals on local, national, and international levels. During summers, Symphonic Orchestra students participate in life-changing experiences of organized tours, alternating between international & national travel every other year.

Programs are sponsored in part by the Florida Department of State, Division of Cultural Affairs; the Florida Council on Arts and Culture; Orlando Utilities Commission; The City of Orlando, Mayor's Matching Grant; and United Arts of Central Florida. We thank these groups for their generous support.

Learn more: web: www.fsyo.org | FB: @TheFSYO | Twitter: @FSYO | IG: @F_S_Y_O | Youtube: @fsyo

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ORLANDO, FL — Florida Symphony Youth Orchestras is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization that has served Central Florida for over sixty-two years. In the early 1950's, Rollins College music professor Alphonse Carlo recognized a need for a youth orchestra program in the Orlando area and accordingly organized free Saturday classes for string students in the community. Mr. Carlo's ultimate dream of forming a youth orchestra came to fruition when the popularity of his ensemble reached its stride in 1957 and the first public FSYO concert was stage in November, 1959. For the first 20 years of its existence, FSYO was supported by both Rollins College and the Florida Symphony Orchestra.

Today, FSYO serves nearly three-hundred students and is comprised of seven ensembles: three symphonic orchestras, one string-training orchestra, a chamber orchestra, and two jazz orchestras. Additionally, FSYO organizes two supplementary string programs during the fall and summer months: Sing-Song, String-Along and Stringmania Summer Camp. FSYO's program is carefully structured to encourage a student's growth throughout their primary and secondary years. Our full range of ensembles gives each student a place to excel with peers at a similar level, and an opportunity to collaborate with seasoned music professionals on local, national, and international levels. Beyond the regular season, students in FSYO's Touring Orchestra participate in life-changing experiences through annually alternating international & national tours.

MISSION:

Florida Symphony Youth Orchestras exists to encourage children and young adults, through the practice and performance of orchestral music, to become passionate leaders, thinkers, and contributors in their local community and beyond.

POSITION DESCRIPTION:

The Executive Director assumes responsibility for the management of all human and financial resources needed to achieve the Florida Symphony Youth Orchestras mission. To that end, the Executive Director is accountable for all aspects of the organization and for implementing policies set by the board of directors. The Executive Director sets the tone for organizational operations, formulating and carrying out policies and programs related to administrative, budgetary, staffing, fund-raising, and advocacy activities, and this position will often be a public face for the orchestra in community activities and patron/donor relations. The multi-faceted responsibilities call for an individual with demonstrated leadership skills and extensive management experience, the ability to assemble an effective staff, work effectively with board and community members, and collaborate with artistic personnel to ensure the integrity and growth of orchestra programming.

Because FSYO is an educational organization, the Executive Director is charged with creating and overseeing programs that encourage K-12 students to participate in and learn about classical music. Position typically interacts with musicians, teachers, community leaders, and volunteer groups. Position requires a forward-thinking, entrepreneurial leader with strong knowledge of music education, current trends in youth orchestra education, and the ability to establish community partnerships.

POSITION SUMMARY:

The Executive Director reports to the FSYO Board of Directors and is responsible for the day-to-day operation of FSYO and its overall strategic direction, administration, and fundraising consistent with the policies and directives established by the Board. The Executive Director has broad authority to guide the operations of the FSYO in collaboration with the Music Director and the FSYO Board to achieve the organization's mission and strategic goals. The Executive Director is responsible for the planning, coordination, supervision, and execution of all FSYO activities.

TO APPLY: www.fsyo.org/employment

Learn more: web: www.fsyo.org | FB: @TheFSYO | Twitter: @FSYO | IG: @F_S_Y_O | Youtube: @fsyo

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FLORIDA SYMPHONY YOUTH ORCHESTRAS ANNOUNCES 2019 CHINA TOUR WITH PERFORMANCES IN BEIJING, XI'AN, HANGZHOU, AND SHANGHAI

ORLANDO, FL - On Thursday, June 27, the Florida Symphony Youth Orchestras' (FSYO) students, parents, and staff will embark on an East Asia tour to explore famous landmarks and perform breathtaking concerts across China. Immersed in new cultures, students will gain a well-rounded experience of a lifetime during their two-week journey. Not only will students have the opportunity to meet youth from other countries, but they will also have the benefit of playing, and learning, alongside each other.

When asked how this tour will impact both FSYO students and Chinese audiences Mr. Hanrich Claassen, FSYO Music Director, remarked, "My hope for our FSYO musicians is to be inspired as life-long learners by this opportunity to travel to foreign lands and get to know a different culture. In turn, I am proud to offer to our audiences in China an engaging selection of music played by a group of diverse and accomplished musicians from Central Florida".

A highlighted piece from the tour program, building of a city, is a commissioned work by ASCAP's 2019 Young Composer Award recipient and former student of Claassen, Sam Wu. Born in Shanghai, the young composer recently completed his studies at one of the world's top music conservatories, The Juilliard School, after receiving his A.B. from Harvard University. Additional pieces that are being performed are by Balakirev, Copland, Chabrier, Mendelssohn, Dvorak, and Yuankai.

Florida Symphony Youth Orchestras' Touring Symphony is honored to perform for audiences in Beijing, Xi'an, Hangzhou, and Shanghai. Information on tickets for concerts at The Forbidden City Concert Hall, the Concert Hall of Xi'an Conservatory, the Zhejiang Concert Hall, and the Shanghai City Theatre in can be found online at www.fsyo.org.

ABOUT FSYO: Florida Symphony Youth Orchestras exists to encourage children and young adults, through the practice and performance of orchestral music, to become passionate leaders, thinkers, and contributors in their local community and beyond. In its 62nd Concert Season, FSYO serves almost 300 students and is comprised of seven ensembles - three symphony orchestras, one string-training orchestra, a chamber orchestra, two jazz orchestras - and two supplementary programs - Stringmania Summer Camp and Sing-Song, String-Along.

Learn more: web: www.fsyo.org | FB: @TheFSYO | Twitter: @FSYO | IG: @F_S_Y_O | Youtube: @fsyo

Today’s #FeatureFriday goes out to Mrs. Jennifer Erickson for being a teacher, conductor, and mentor to young students in the Central Florida community. Mrs. Erickson grew up singing and playing piano and percussion through her secondary school years. She has since learned to play viola, violin, cello, bass, and French Horn. She is now the Orchestra Director at Southwest Middle School where she teaches six classes of orchestra daily for four different levels, from beginning to advanced.

We asked Mrs. Erickson when she realized she wanted to be a teacher, she said, “I have always wanted to be a teacher. My mother was a teacher and I liked school. In early elementary school I wondered why other children were not singing the right notes. In middle school, I helped teach class when my music teacher was absent. By the time I was in high school I was student conducting, coaching my own ensembles for evaluation, and usually getting out of my other classes to teach music all day when my teacher was absent. My band and chorus teachers were major influences on my career choice, because they allowed me to take such an involved leadership role".

Once Mrs. Erickson graduated high school she attended Stetson University where she received her undergraduate degree in music education. She then went to the University of Miami for her Masters degree in Orchestral Conducting. Ms. Erickson has been teaching in the public school system for twenty-three years and is now on her sixth year at Southwest Middle School.

When asked why Mrs. Erickson thinks music education is important, she answered, “I believe everyone should have the opportunity to do music because it teaches so many wonderful things: cooperation, communication, dedication, persistence, responsibility, trust, self-expression, and so much more. Music can transcend barriers: language, ethnicity, and socio-economics. We can all make beautiful things happen together. Music creates bonds of acceptance, friendship, and family that many students don’t have anywhere else in life.”

Mrs. Erickson enjoys teaching music because it is her passion and she can’t imagine doing anything else for a career. One of her favorite parts of teaching is seeing the students learn how to play an instrument and watching them discover their incredible expressive potential that music can create.

For today's #FeatureFriday we are showing our appreciation to Mr. Osvaldo Quezada for being a teacher, conductor, and mentor to young students in the Central Florida community. Mr. Quezada's main instruments are classical and jazz saxophone and double bass. Mr. Quezada is the Orchestra Director and Piano Instructor for Edgewater High School where he teaches orchestra, piano, and guitar to students in ninth through twelfth grade.

We asked Mr. Quezada why he enjoys teaching and he said, "With the understanding that I have taught most of my fourteen-year career, in title one schools with many underprivileged and disadvantaged students. I do not take it lightly when I say; I teach to make a difference. Students at these schools deserve a quality education from a qualified and certified teacher that cares about the overall quality of education including the fine arts."

Mr. Quezada realized he wanted to become a teacher when he was in the seventh grade at Nautilus Junior High in Miami, FL. This was after he migrated to the United States from Panama City, Panama to be a part of the band program. His music teacher Raymond Modia was instrumental in shaping his passion for music. While attending Miami Beach Senior High School under the direction of Reginald Nicholson his class was tutored by members of the New World Symphony and were given various opportunities to perform with the North Miami Community Band.

After he graduated high school Mr. Quezada went on to Bethune Cookman University to get an undergraduate degree in music and is now currently a Master's of Music Education Candidate at Florida State University where he will be studying abroad this summer in London, England. He will be studying conducting with Dr. Jimenez and will be conducting a chamber orchestra from the Royal School of Music.

Mr. Quezada is now finishing up his second year at Edgewater High School where they have already seen tremendous growth in their Orchestra program. His students are fascinated with the masterworks of composers such as Mozart, Bach, Holst, and Warlock. When asked why Mr. Quezada thinks music education is important he said, "Music education is important to the overall academic development of all human beings. Music is essential to all cultures, religions, and communities. I always tell my students that their life goals as true music fanatics, are to travel around the world and explore the culture of the music they performed in their perspective music ensembles". Mr. Quezada personally is looking forward to visiting the St. Paul School of Girls in London England this summer.

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FLORIDA SYMPHONY YOUTH ORCHESTRAS ANNOUNCES COMPOSER-IN-RESIDENCE PARTNERSHIP WITH CENTRAL FLORIDA COMPOSERS FORUM

Florida Symphony Youth Orchestras Announces New Executive Director

The Board of Directors of Florida Symphony Youth Orchestras Announces Search for a New Executive Director

FSYO ANNOUNCES 2019 CHINA TOUR WITH PERFORMANCES IN BEIJING, XI’AN, HANGZHOU, AND SHANGHAI

Music in Our Schools Month | #FeatureFriday Mrs. Jennifer Erickson

Music in Our Schools Month | #FeatureFriday Mr. Osvaldo Quezada