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.
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!
The Rex Brothers on stage with FSYO's Symphonic Orchestra.
ABOUT THE REX BROTHERS: Violinist Charles Rex was born into a musical family in Winter Park, Florida. He started his violin studies at age four under Alphonse Carlo, professor of violin at Rollins. Following his solo debut with the Florida Symphony at age 13, he won the Hinda Honigmann Scholarship Award to the Brevard Music Center in North Carolina and toured as soloist with the BMC Orchestra throughout North and South Carolina. Mr. Rex was awarded a full scholarship to Florida State University (FSU). Immediately after graduating cum laude from FSU with bachelor and master of music degrees in performance, Mr. Rex joined The Philadelphia Orchestra under Eugene Ormandy where he played for eight years before accepting the position of Associate Concertmaster of the New York Philharmonic under Zubin Mehta, a post he held for 19 years.
Principal Cello, Christopher Rex joined the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra (ASO) as Principal in 1979, the same year in which he became the first cellist ever to win the string prize in the biennial Young Artists Competition of the National Federation of Music Clubs. Since then he has appeared as recitalist and chamber musician across the nation.
Mr. Rex's solo performances with the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra include Strauss's Don Quixote and concertos by Shostakovich, Victor Herbert, Dvořák, and Elgar. He is a founding member of the Georgian Chamber Players, and is the founder and General and Artistic Director of the Amelia Island Chamber Music Festival in Florida. He is also Artistic Director of the Madison Chamber Music Festival in Georgia and is on the Board of Directors of Chamber Music America.
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