Orlando, FL - September 11, 2026
Throughout its 70 year history, FSYO has served thousands of students with many continuing to keep music in their lives as they moved into the next phases of their life after high school. As part of the Platinum Season, we are excited to look back and hear from FSYO Alumni on their experiences with the organization and what their life looks like now with the lessons they learned along the way!
This month we are highlighting Angela Wilkes (formerly Angela Cross when she was in FSYO)!
Angela is a violinist who was part of what was then Florida Symphony Youth Orchestra from 1981-1984. She had the opportunity to work under several notable conductors in FSYO's history, including Charles Gottschalk, Alfred Savia, and Dr. Joseph Wise. One of her favorite memories with FSYO was when a group of musicians came together to do a brief concert at the airport to greet Mr. Gottschalk as he returned home from a trip away.
Today, Angela is currently a managing editor of The International Economy, a magazine covering international economic and monetary policy. She graduated from Datrmouth College where she played in the orchestra and band. While violin is no longer her primary focus, Angela still finds time to practice and perform! She joined a local community orchestra ten years ago starting at the back of the second violin section. Over the years as the ensemble as grown, Angela now finds herself sitting in the concertmaster seat.
"I look back at the terrific players who served as FSYO concertmasters in the early 1980's with enormous respect since I now have real appreciation for how hard that job can be."
Angela's time performing throughout her life has given her many opportunities, one being a performance with the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra through a program called Rusty Musicians which allowed amateur musicians to join the professionals onstage for a rehearsal and performance. This performance led to an FSYO reunion as Ellen Pendleton, who was concertmaster of FSYO and Angela's high school orchestra in the 80's, was in the BSO at that time and was able to arrange for the two to share their stand for the performance!
Thank you Angela for sharing your story with us!
Ellen Pendleton and Angela Wilkes perform together as part of BSO's Rusty Musicians program
Angela Wilkes as Concertmaster of the Arlington Concert Orchestra
If you are an FSYO Alumni and would like to share your story with us, please fill out the Alumni: Then & Now Form!
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About FSYO: Florida Symphony Youth Orchestras empowers young musicians to achieve excellence and inspire their communities through a shared love of music. In its 70th Concert Season, FSYO serves over 300 members and comprises eight ensembles - three symphony orchestras, two string orchestras, two jazz bands, and a percussion ensemble.
FSYO programs are carefully structured to encourage member growth with FSYO throughout their primary and secondary years. Florida Symphony Youth Orchestras’ full range of ensembles offers each member 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 the summer, tour ensemble members participate in life-changing experiences of organized tours every other year.
Florida Symphony Youth Orchestras 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, by Orange County, FL through the Arts & Cultural Affairs Program, and by the Edyth Bush Charitable Foundation.
For more information, please visit www.fsyo.org | facebook.com/THEFSYO | @f_s_y_o (instagram) | youtube.com/fsyo
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