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Saturday, November 18, 2017, was an exciting day for Florida Symphony Youth Orchestras and our eight young Concerto Competition finalists, as we presented our Annual Concerto Competition Recital. This event showcased the talent and skill of our finalists and the students were given the opportunity to hone their skills as a soloist.

Previous winners have gone on to study at Juilliard, Manhattan School of Music, The Boston Conservatory, among other prestigious institutions. The experience of performing at the November recital, supported by a piano reduction of the orchestral parts, has proven to be invaluable to the young artists’ growth.

Each year, two winners have the opportunity to perform the concerto of their choice with full accompaniment from the FSYO Symphonic Orchestra later in the season. This year our winners were Curtis Shugart (cello) and Alex Koller (viola).

Alex Koller performed Concerto for Viola and Orchestra, Sz. 120, BB 128, Mvt. I - B. Bartok, which will be featured on our program at The Celebration Foundation Classical Concert Series on February 11, 2018, at the Celebration Community Presbyterian Church at 5 p.m. We are extremely proud of all of our students who tried out and performed in the finals.

Curtis Shugart will perform Concerto No. 1 in G minor, Op. 49, Mvt. III - D. Kabalevsky at the 2018 61st Concert Season Finale Concert on May 6, 2018, at the Bob Carr Theater, 4 p.m.

ORLANDO, FL - On Saturday, November 18, 2017, Florida Symphony Youth Orchestras will present its 2017-2018 Annual Concerto Competition Finalists' recital. Showcasing the talent and skill of eight finalists, the adjudicated competition gives students the opportunity to hone their skills as a soloist. At the conclusion of the concert, two winners will be announced who will perform the concerto of their choice with full accompaniment from the FSYO Symphonic Orchestra later this season. All members of the Jazz Orchestra, Philharmonia Orchestra, and Symphonic Orchestra, the more advanced ensembles of FSYO, are eligible to participate in the Concerto Competition.

The 2017-2018 Concerto Competition finalists are, in alphabetical order:

Jesse Fei, violin: Violin Concerto in D minor, op. 47, Mvt. I - J. Sibelius
Trevor Gehman, trumpet: Trumpet Concerto in Eb Major, Mvt. I - J. Haydn
Anna Horzen, violin: Violin Concerto in G minor, Mvt. I - S. Prokofiev
Alexander Keiser, trumpet: Concerto in Eb, Mvt. I - J. Neruda
Alex Koller, viola: Concerto for Viola and Orchestra, Sz. 120, BB 128, Mvt. I - B. Bartok
Alexa Lang, violin: Violin Concerto No. 1 in G minor, Op. 26, Mvt. I - M. Bruch
Curtis Shugart, cello: Concerto No. 1 in G minor, Op. 49, Mvt. III - D. Kabalevsky
Selina Xu, cello: Concerto No. 1 in A minor, op. 33 - C. Saint-Saëns

The recital begins at 5:00 p.m. in the Montverde Academy Sandra O. Stephens Auditorium - 17235 7th St, Montverde, FL 34756. Don't miss the opportunity to hear some of the most talented student musicians in Central Florida! Free admission for all! Please visit www.fsyo.org for more information.

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 61st Concert Season, FSYO comprises three full orchestras, one string training orchestra, an advanced chamber ensemble, and a new jazz orchestra made up of more than 250 students from nine 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; 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

Sunday, October 15, 2017, was a joyful day as we opened our 61st Season with a concert at the historic Bob Carr Theater.

The opener started with Overture Strings who performed four pieces, one of which was Hunting the Wild Beast, followed by our Prelude Orchestra that played three pieces, with their last being Slavonic Dance No. 1, Op. 46, and then our Philharmonia Orchestra who performed Hungarian Dance No. 5 along with two other pieces. Then we introduced our brand new Jazz Orchestra, conducted by Jeff Rupert, playing various pieces such as Spider-Man, Night Train, and I Can’t Stop Loving You.

We were pleased to feature guest artist Thomas Potter (Baritone) as he performed Mahler’s Lieder eines fahrenden Gesellen (Songs of a Wayfarer) accompanied by the FSYO Symphonic Orchestra. This moment was a highlight for several students as they were able to play with someone who has made a career out of being a musician. They then wrapped up the concert with Prokofiev's Romeo and Juliet Suite. The concert was capped with a cupcake reception provided by JillyCakes to celebrate the success of the students thus far.

Photo Credit: Lindsay Parks Neel

REMEMBRANCE AND RESILIENCE: HISTORIC OPERA BRUNDIBAR COMES TO ORLANDO STAGE

On November 5 at 2pm, the Holocaust Center will partner with two of Orlando's cultural beacons, Opera Orlando and Florida Symphony Youth Orchestras, to perform Brundibar and Vedem as part of their annual Kristallnacht commemoration.

Originally written by Czech composer Hans Krasa, the opera Brundibar tells the story of two children, Aninku and Pepicek, who must outwit the town bully in order to buy milk for their sick mother. Completed in 1938, the opera was performed 55 times by the children of the Nazi concentration camp, Terezin. The composer, Krasa, was also imprisoned in Terezin and later died in Auschwitz in 1944.

Vedem, Czech for "in the lead," is an oratorio written by Lori Laitman and based on the underground magazine of the same name that was circulated in the Terezin ghetto. Written by children, for children, Vedem featured poetry, literary reviews, jokes and essays; these poems and essays, equal parts inspirational and heartbreaking, are at the center of Laitman's powerful composition.

Both will be performed as part of the Holocaust Center's Kristallnacht commemoration, which remembers the night in 1938 that German civilians and police attacked Jewish-owned buildings, stores, and synagogues, resulting in the death of at least 91 people and 30,000 incarcerations in concentration camps. For many historians, it foreshadowed the genocide that would follow.

The opera and oratorio will be performed by members of Orlando Opera Youth Company and with musicians from Florida Symphony Youth Orchestra led by Florida Symphony Youth Orchestras Music Director, Hanrich Claassen. This is a truly unique partnership as three of Orlando's cultural organizations come together to pay tribute to this historic event. It will be an evening that speaks to the power of resilience and teamwork despite impossible circumstances. Florida Symphony Youth Orchestras, Opera Orlando, and the Holocaust Center are honored to present these meaningful works.

For more information and to purchase tickets, please call 407.628.0555 or visit holocaustedu.org.

ABOUT FLORIDA SYMPHONY YOUTH ORCHESTRAS:

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 61st Concert Season, FSYO comprises three full orchestras, one string training orchestra, an advanced chamber ensemble, and a new jazz orchestra made up of more than 250 students from nine 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; 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

ABOUT THE HOLOCAUST CENTER:

The Holocaust Memorial Resource & Education Center is a non-profit organization and museum that seeks to build a more inclusive society free of all forms of hate and prejudice through its thought-provoking exhibits, innovative programming, and the highly acclaimed UpStanders: Stand Up to Bullying initiative. The museum is free and its hours are Monday – Thursday, 9am – 4pm; Friday, 9am – 1pm; and Sunday, 1pm – 4pm. Visitors may schedule group tours by calling 407-628-0555. To learn more about the Holocaust Center's mission to create a community where all people feel safe and respected, visit holocaustedu.org.

ABOUT OPERA ORLANDO:

In only its second year, Opera Orlando has established itself as the standard bearer of the art form in Central Florida. After its Inaugural Season in the 2016-17 season, the company looks forward to continuing its track record of sold-out houses, fresh theatrical realizations and critical acclaim with original productions of "La Bohème," "Amahl and the Night Visitors" and Rossini's "Cinderella." All performances include musicians from the Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra and are held at the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts. It was in the Center's Walt Disney Theater this past September that Opera Orlando assembled some of the nation's and state's finest operatic talent for a community-building benefit in response to the tragedy: "One Voice Orlando: A Celebration in Song." This stellar and powerful event inspired one of the art form's leading national advocates, Marc Scorca of OPERA America, to declare that "In its brief existence, Opera Orlando has demonstrated its ability to bring high-quality performances to Orlando and to lift the spirit of the city through the power of opera." www.operaorlando.org

ORLANDO, FL – On Sunday, October 15, 2017, at 4:00 pm, Florida Symphony Youth Orchestras will astonish the public with the first concert of its 61st Season at the historic Bob Carr Theater, located at 401 W. Livingston St.

Featured guest artist Thomas Potter (Baritone) will perform Mahler's Lieder eines fahrenden Gesellen (Songs of a Wayfarer) accompanied by the FSYO Symphonic Orchestra. This concert will also feature the inaugural performance of FSYO's new Jazz Orchestra, under the direction of Jeff Rupert.

With over 30 years of experience as a professional opera singer, Thomas Potter has shared the stage with great artists such as Luciano Pavarotti, Kiri Te Kanawa, and Deborah Voigt, to name a few. As the director of UCF Opera, Potter collaborated with FSYO last season to bring to life an interactive version of Act II of Die Fledermaus, which wowed audiences at FSYO's Opera Gala. He is also a long time supporter and an Alumni parent of FSYO.

Tickets for this season subscription concert and to all other 61st 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. Florida academic and private teachers receive free admission to all FSYO season subscription concerts. This is one that you do not want to miss!

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 61st Concert Season, FSYO comprises three full orchestras, one string training orchestra, an advanced chamber ensemble, and a new jazz orchestra made up of more than 250 students from nine 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; 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

About Thomas Potter: With over 30 years of experience as a professional opera singer, Verdi baritone and seasoned voice instructor Thomas Potter has shared the stage with great artists such as Luciano Pavarotti, Kiri Te Kanawa, Kurt Moll, Dolora Zajick, Ferruccio Furlanetto, and Deborah Voigt, to mention a few. A graduate of Indiana University, where his voice teachers were Signor Nicola Rossi-Lemeni and Madame Virginia Zeani, Potter began his professional career with a multi-year contract at the San Francisco Opera, then, after several years in New York, he found himself singing opera throughout Italy, France, Germany, Spain, and Switzerland.

Thomas has sung leading roles with numerous International music festivals, including the Spoleto Music Festival in both Italy and the USA venues, the Ravenna (Italy) Music Festival, the Bregenzer (Austria) Festspiele, the La Biennale Festival in Venice, Italy, and the Festival de Inverno - Campos do Jordão in Brazil.

A few of the opera companies with which Potter has performed include the Teatro Comunale 'Giuseppe Verdi'; in
Trieste, Palm Beach Opera, Nashville Opera, Opera Cordoba, Opera São Paulo, Opéra du Rhin in Strasbourg, Badisches Staatstheater in Karlsruhe, Atlanta Opera, Utah Opera, Orlando Opera, and Indianapolis Opera.

As a winner of the Luciano Pavarotti International Vocal Competition in Philadelphia Potter was awarded the opportunity to sing alongside Mr. Pavarotti in the resulting production of Verdi's opera UN BALLO IN MASCHERA. In 1992 he was a recipient of a study grant from the Licia Albanese - Puccini Foundation. From 1994 to 2000, Mr. Potter was engaged by the Stadttheater St. Gallen in Switzerland, singing the roles of "Scarpia" in TOSCA, "Jochanaan" in SALOME, "Alfio" in CAVALLERIA RUSTICANA, "Ezio" in ATTILA, "Amonasro" in AIDA, and "Giorgio Germont" in LA TRAVIATA, among others.

Following the birth of their son, he and his wife, soprano Kimberly S. Randall, decided to move back to the United States to begin new careers as university professors. Mr. Potter taught for five years in Indiana before joining the University of Central Florida in August of 2005, where he currently directs the UCF Opera program and teaches undergraduate and graduate level voice lessons.

Sunday, May 7th, 2017 was a very busy and exciting day for FSYO as they prepared and presented their 60th Season Finale Concert at the Bob Carr Theater. The concert started out with a very special performance by Overture Strings, who performed an arrangement of "Deep River" with all of the FSYO conductors joining in the ensemble. Selections from popular movies and classical staples followed, enthralling the audience throughout the afternoon. FSYO Alumni graced the stage, joining the Symphonic Orchestra for their performance of Enescu's Romanian Rhapsody No. 1. This year, FSYO bid farewell to 41 graduating seniors. Check out their senior bios below:

Did you join us during our 60th season? As an FSYO patron, please consider completing this short, anonymous survey. By completing this survey you will be helping us obtain valuable information about our audiences that will assist us as we plan for future seasons and as we apply for grant funding to ensure the longevity of our program.

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2017 Concerto Competition Wrap Up

FSYO Hosts Annual Concerto Competition Finalists' Recital

61st Season Opener Wrap-Up

16 YEARS LATER, 'BRUNDIBAR' COMES TO THE ORLANDO STAGE

FSYO Host 61st Season Opener, Featured Artist Thomas Potter

60th Season Finale Wrap-Up