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This month we interviewed Prelude cellist , Miya Luebke.

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

As of now, I am going into my 2nd season with the FSYO and currently the assistant principal cellist in the Prelude orchestra. I heard countless positive things about FSYO, and there were numerous reason why I wanted to join. My biggest influence was my violinist friend and fellow member Maggie Yuan who (in a nice way) forced me to audition. Also I really wanted to challenge myself and improve myself as a musician and a person, as well as meet and learn from other fantastic musicians.

What was your favorite memory from FSYO?

I have almost too many favorite memories to count! If i had to choose one though, I would say my first rehearsal. When I walked in, I saw and met so many incredible musicians from all the orchestras, and became deeply inspired to become just as incredible as them one day. Everyone there shows so much passion for music and the works that will be performed, it's absolutely incredible! I made so many friends from just that first day, and hope to play with them until we graduate.

What do you do when you're not rehearsing?

When I'm not doing anything music related, I'm usually acting like some form of nerd. I'm an avid Bob's Burgers and Doctor Who fan, and I try to get as much merchandise as I can. I adore the Lord of the Rings and Harry Potter series, as well as classic works of literature like Don Quixote and The Odyssey. Literature is something I find very fascinating, and being able to read the mind and creativity of the author is the best. As well as those things, I'm truly fascinated by history, geography, and linguistics, and I even attended the State Level National Geographic Geography Bee in 2014.

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

If I could change one thing in this world, I'd get rid of all kinds of prejudice. I'd change the fact that someone's life and value are almost solely based on their race, gender, nationality, sexuality, and other things that cannot be controlled. Sadly, there is so much pressure in our society to be and act the same, or in some cases "perfect". Today's prejudice wouldn't exist if we only accepted our differences, instead of trying to be the same. Music can unify us and help us defeat prejudice, because music is one of the few things that will never believe in prejudice.

FSYO to Host 60th Season Opener on October 9th

Featuring Eric Jacobsen, cellist

ORLANDO, FL – On Sunday, October 9, 2016 at 4:00 pm, the Florida Symphony Youth Orchestra will dazzle the public with the first concert of their 60th Anniversary season at the historic Bob Carr Theater. Featured guest artist - Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra Music Director and remarkable cellist, Eric Jacobsen - will perform Dvorak's Silent Wood and Popper's Hungarian Fantasie accompanied by the FSYO Symphonic Orchestra.

Joining the Central Florida arts community in 2015, Jacobsen has honed his musical skills as a conductor and cellist, nationally and internationally. His style melds the classical with the contemporary in seamless fashion, performing in and directing innovative groups such as The Knights and Brooklyn Rider. Jacobsen has collaborated with such greats as Yo-Yo Ma, Itzhak Perlman, and Susan Graham at venues ranging from Carnegie Hall to the Ojai Music Festivalin, and on October 9th, he will join us at Bob Carr Theater for his first performance with the FSYO.

This concert will also be the first Season Opener for new FSYO Music Director and Symphonic Orchestra conductor, Hanrich Claassen. When asked about this concert, he said, "The FSYO is a family of some of the most talented and hardworking young orchestra instrumentalists and staff Central Florida has to offer. The artistic team and I have been enthusiastically preparing our four orchestras to inspire and wow audience members at our opening concert. I promise we will not disappoint - it will be a festive celebration of our 60th Season!"

Having performed and conducted internationally, Claassen brings new interpretations and ideas that are helping the students reach new heights as an ensemble. He is also bringing a fresh look to our season programming, which will now feature exciting collaborations and several new concert experiences, including some outdoor performances for the community to enjoy.

Tickets to this concert, and to all 60th season performances, can be purchased on the FSYO website (www.fsyo.org) and at the door. Ticket prices for this concert range from $10 to $20. This is one that you do not want to miss!

About FSYO: 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 60th Concert Season, comprises three full orchestras, one string training orchestra and an advanced chamber ensemble, made up of more than 250 students from nine 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; Orlando Utilities Commission; and United Arts of Central Florida. We thank these groups for their generous support.

Learn more: web: www.fsyo.org | FB: Florida Symphony Youth Orchestra | Twitter: @FSYO | IG: @F_S_Y_O | Youtube: @fsyo

About Eric Jacobsen: Hailed by The New York Times as "an interpretive dynamo," conductor and cellist ERIC JACOBSEN has built a reputation for engaging audiences with innovative and collaborative projects. Following an international search, Eric Jacobsen was appointed Music Director of the Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra in the 2015-2016 Season.

Jacobsen is the co-founder and Music Director of the adventurous orchestra The Knights. As Music Director, Jacobsen has led the "consistently inventive, infectiously engaged indie ensemble" (The New York Times) at venues ranging from Carnegie Hall to the Ojai Music Festival, and international hot spots such as the Dresden Musikfestspiele and Cologne Philharmonie. Recent collaborators include cellists Yo-Yo Ma and Jan Vogler, violinists Itzhak Perlman and Gil Shaham, and singers Dawn Upshaw and Susan Graham.

A dedicated chamber musician, Jacobsen is a member of Yo-Yo Ma's venerated Silk Road Project. He has participated in residencies and performances in Azerbaijan, China, Hong Kong, Japan, Malaysia, Switzerland and across the USA including The Art Institute of Chicago and The Hollywood Bowl.

Jacobsen is also a founding member of the genre-defying string quartet Brooklyn Rider, dubbed "one of the wonders of contemporary music" (Los Angeles Times). After 10 years with Brooklyn Rider, Mr. Jacobsen stepped away from the group to focus on his passion for conducting and the orchestra.

As a cellist, Jacobsen has performed with Renee Fleming on David Letterman and at the inaugural concert at Zankel Hall at Carnegie. He has also appeared with The Silk Road Ensemble at the opening ceremonies of the Special Olympics in Shanghai. (for more on Eric Jacobsen visit http://www.jacobseneric.com/)

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

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Day in the Life featuring - Miya Luebke

FSYO Host 60th Season Opener, featured artist Eric Jacobsen

FSYO Announces New Music Director Hanrich Claassen

59th Season Finale Wrap-Up

FSYO Closes the 2015-2016 Season

Florida Symphony Youth Orchestra Now Taking Audition Applications for 60th Season