ORLANDO, FL - January 3, 2025 - On Monday, June 23, 2025, Florida Symphony Youth Orchestras’ (FSYO) members, parents, and staff will embark on an exhilarating tour to explore famous landmarks and perform breathtaking concerts across Japan. Immersed in new cultures, our young musicians will gain an experience of a lifetime during their two-week journey. Not only will they have the opportunity to meet youth from other countries, but they will also have the benefit of playing and learning alongside each other in collaborative performances.
When asked how this tour will impact both FSYO members and Japanese audiences Mr. Charles Watford, FSYO Music Director, remarked:
“This tour is a unique opportunity for both our members and our Japanese hosts to share a great musical experience through side-by-side performances of music from both cultures. I am looking forward to the collaboration that we are fortunate to experience in Japan and to see our own accomplished musicians from Central Florida play such a diverse and exciting selection of music.”
Both the Tour Orchestra and Tour Jazz Band will have the chance to take part in transformative performances. One highlight of the classical performances is a side-by-side orchestral performance on June 27, 2025 at Salamanca Symphony Hall with the Gifu University Orchestra, sponsored by the city government. Additionally, the Tour Jazz Band will proudly represent America at the World Expo 2025 on July 2, 2025 in Osaka. These great opportunities offer a glimpse into the involvement FSYO will have on the performance scene in our short time in Japan, as well as the collaborative and cross-cultural education the tour provides to its participants.
In order to uphold FSYO’s commitment to make this tour possible for any member regardless of socioeconomic background, we set a goal to raise $40,000 to provide scholarships to support those who would be unable to benefit from this experience otherwise. Thanks to a $10,000 grant kindly gifted to FSYO by The Cross Foundation, Inc. for tour scholarships, $30,000 remains to achieve our goal. To aid with our efforts, long-time advocates and friends of FSYO, Val and Paul Collins, generously offered to match donations dollar for dollar up to $15,000! That means any contribution given through the end of January is now twice as impactful to FSYO and the scholarship recipients thanks to the Collins’.
“We know the extraordinary effort that goes into playing for FSYO. We want to help make sure that all these kids have the opportunity to go on one of FSYO’s life-changing tours."
-Val and Paul Collins
FSYO strives to make this tour possible for as many members as possible in order to allow them to experience performing for new audiences and communities, interact with peers of different cultures and backgrounds, and create timeless memories.
FSYO’s Tour Orchestra and Tour Jazz Band are honored to perform for audiences in Gifu, Osaka, Kyoto, and Hiroshima.
About FSYO: Florida Symphony Youth Orchestras empowers young musicians to achieve excellence and inspire their communities through a shared love of music. In its 68th Concert Season, FSYO serves over 300 students and comprises eight ensembles - three symphony orchestras, two string orchestras, two jazz bands, and a percussion ensemble.
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, students participate in life-changing experiences of organized tours, alternating between international and national travel.
Florida Symphony Youth Orchestras (FSYO) is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) charitable organization. Florida Symphony Youth Orchestras is funded in part by United Arts of Central Florida, your local agency for the arts and by the Orange County Government through the Arts & Cultural Affairs Program. Thank you to the Elizabeth Morse Genius Foundation for sponsoring FSYO’s 68th Season Venues, and to GrayRobinson P.A. for being an Ensemble Supporting Sponsor of the 68th Season. FSYO is also sponsored in part by the City of Orlando through the Mayor's Matching Grant.
For more information, please visit www.fsyo.org | facebook.com/THEFSYO | @f_s_y_o (Instagram) | youtube.com/fsyo
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