For Immediate Release
ORLANDO, FL - Following an extensive search, the Florida Symphony Youth Orchestra is pleased to announce the four finalists in the running for the position of Music Director and Symphonic Orchestra Conductor for the organization. The finalists are Nate Beversluis, Dr. Thomas Taylor Dickey, Christopher Thibdeau, and Dr. Robert Yaklich.
The four finalists were chosen by a search committee, comprised of board members with diverse backgrounds, from a group of over 50 talented and qualified candidates from all over the world. Each finalist will rehearse with FSYOs Symphonic Orchestra. These rehearsals are open to the public and will be held on February 22, 2015 and March 1, 2015 from 3:45-5:00 PM at Edgewater High School – 3100 Edgewater Dr., Orlando, FL 32804.
About the Finalists:
Nate Beversluis: Nate Beversluis is a pianist, conductor and composer/arranger, currently Resident Conductor with Greensboro Symphony Orchestra. He serves as assistant conductor and frequent concerto accompanist to Dmitry Sitkovetsky, as well as Music Director of the flourishing Greensboro Symphony Youth Orchestra program. He also conducts Greensboro Symphony as a ballet orchestra for local productions. Recent guest conducting engagements include Ohio Southwest Regional Orchestra, CCM Philharmonia, and Orlando Philharmonic. Previously he was Music Director at Elon University, Seaside Music Theatre, University of Central Florida Theater Department, and Associate Artistic Director at Tri-Cities Opera. He holds degrees from Indiana University (Jazz Studies) and the College-Conservatory of Music (CCM) at the University of Cincinnati (Orchestral Conducting).
Dr. Thomas Taylor Dickey: Reviewed by critics as a "dynamic and exciting conductor" whose conducting is "imbued with aplomb, energy, and pathos," Dr. Thomas Taylor Dickey is the Director of Orchestral Activities at the University of Wisconsin-Platteville, and concurrently serves as Conductor of the Dubuque Symphony Youth Orchestra (IA). Previous positions include Director of Orchestral Activities at the University of Evansville (IN) and Conductor of the Evansville Philharmonic Youth Orchestra (IN). Dr. Dickey has also held assistant conductor positions with university and professional orchestras in Illinois, Louisiana, and Georgia. He holds doctoral and master's degrees in orchestral conducting from the University of Georgia and Louisiana State University, respectively, and further studied conducting at the Cleveland Institute of Music, Cincinnati Conservatory of Music, and numerous workshops and master classes.
Christopher Thibdeau: Christopher Thibdeau has a diverse background as both a cellist and a conductor. Recently appointed the Music Director of the Metropolitan Youth Symphony Orchestras of Atlanta, Christopher has previously served as the Associate Conductor of the Georgia Symphony Orchestra, Associate Conductor of the Brighton Symphony Orchestra, and Conductor of the Atlanta Music Project Orchestras to name a few. Christopher is also the Assistant Conductor of the Georgia Tech Symphony Orchestra. He is an active cellist, maintaining a private teaching studio as well as performing with the Georgia Symphony Orchestra and the Columbus Symphony Orchestra. Mr. Thibdeau holds a Bachelor of Music degree in Cello Performance from the Eastman School of Music and a Master of Music degree in Orchestral Conducting from the Cleveland Institute of Music.
Dr. Richard Yaklich: Dr. Richard E. Yaklich, currently serves as an Associate Professor of Music at Florida Memorial University; Former Conductor of the South Florida Youth Symphony (2002-2013) and the former Director of the Jubilate Chamber Orchestra, Associate Conductor of the Kingsport Symphony and Music Director of the Kingsport Youth Symphony. He has conducted orchestras throughout the United States and Eastern Europe including the Maikop Philharmonic and the Sochi Symphony Orchestra. In addition to his conducting activities, he is an active cellist and composer and has had works performed by the Colorado Symphony and in Romania. Dr. Yaklich received his bachelor's degree from the University of Southern Colorado; his Master's degree in music from Colorado State University and his Doctorate from the University of South Carolina.
FSYO's current music director, Andrew Lane, who served the FSYO as Music Director since 1998 – with a two-year leave between the 2005 and 2007 seasons – will continue to lead the program through FSYO's 58th season ending in May 2015.
About FSYO: The Florida Symphony Youth Orchestra aims to educate and inspire Central Florida's top young musicians via programs committed to strengthening musical talents and developing appreciation of the arts through classical music. The FSYO, in its 58th Concert Season, comprises three full orchestras, one string training orchestra and various chamber groups, made up of more than 250 students from nine Central Florida counties, including Orange, Osceola, Lee, Seminole, Brevard, Lake, Highlands, Polk and Volusia. 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. We thank these groups for their generous support. The FSYO is a non-profit 501(c)(3) charitable organization. For more information, please visit www.fsyo.org | facebook.com/THEFSYO | @fsyo
This month we interviewed Abigail Goodin, senior, principal violist of our Symphonic Orchestra, and a long-time member of FSYO. Let's see what she had to say!
FSYO: How long have you been in FSYO? What made you want to join?
Abigail: I have been in FSYO for 10 seasons now, beginning when I was in the 3rd grade, the 2006-2007 season. At that time, I was still playing violin, but I switched to viola a year and a half later. Since I began when I was eight years old, I do not remember why I joined, but I do remember my mom and teacher talking to me about the organization. They told me I would learn a lot, and it would be a good experience. They were right and wrong. When they said I would learn a lot, they were correct, but the knowledge I've obtained has surpassed any of their expectations. FSYO hasn't just taught me about music. It has helped me grow as a musician, but more importantly, a person. The life skills I've learned from participating in this organization are far more numerous than I can recall, but I can't forget about all of the friends I've made along the way either. Not only friends who are my age, but musicians who are many years older, and younger, than me. When we come together to bring a piece to life, our differences are thrown aside, and we create something truly magical.
FSYO: What are your plans after you graduate high school?
Abigail: After graduation, I would like to attend college to major in Business Management and Finance, with a possible minor, or double major, in music. Duke University in Durham, North Carolina, or Emory University in Atlanta, Georgia are my top two college options, but I am also looking at schools in state, such as Stetson University, University of North Florida, and Florida Southern. Throughout college I wish to continue playing and growing as a musician by taking privately with the viola professor, participating in the symphony orchestra, and taking part in a chamber ensemble.
FSYO: What do you do when you're not rehearsing?
Abigail: When I'm not in rehearsal or practicing my viola, I'm either completing my school work, hanging out with my friends, volunteering, reading, or on the golf course.
FSYO: What do you want to be when you grow up?
Abigail: When I grow up, I want to climb the ladder in the Disney Company to become the President of Walt Disney World. I know this is a huge dream, but I know it is possible. The current president started out as a bus boy in a restaurant on Disney property, and now he is president. That's where I want to go, and that's what I want to reach.
For Immediate Release
ORLANDO, Fla. – On February 15, 2015, the Florida Symphony Youth Orchestra will present their annual Celebration of Music Education Concert. This special concert event will feature performances from three of the organization's orchestras and will honor music educators throughout the Central Florida area for their passion and dedication to the development of our future leaders.
FSYO recognizes music educators and the life changing work they do every day. Their devotion imparts an invaluable experience in the lives of their students and enhances the level at which organizations, like FSYO, can perform. In the words of Aristotle, "Music has the power of producing a certain effect on the moral character of the soul, and if it has the power to do this, it is clear that the young must be directed to music and must be educated in it." By acknowledging and celebrating the key role music education plays in the lives of youth, the audience can experience and appreciate the merits of the players and the educators that have inspired them.
This concert also offers the FSYO the opportunity to present the "Outstanding Music Educator" award to one extraordinary music educator. This year's special honor will go to Jennie Lou Klim, who has taken great leaps to offer music education to young musicians, including: beginning string programs in public school systems, starting summer string camps, conducting workshops, and co-founding The Somerset Music Festival. When asked about Ms. Klim, Andrew Lane (FSYO Music Director and Symphonic Orchestra Conductor) said, "Jennie Lou [Klim] is one of those wonderful teachers we think of when we see or hear the phrase 'Thank a Teacher If....'. She has inspired countless young musicians in the Central Florida area. Music teachers like Jennie Lou are an essential part FSYO's success."
Join us as we celebrate Ms. Klim and all of our remarkable music educators at The Celebration of Music Education Concert – 3:00 p.m., Sunday, February 15, 2015 at the Edgewater High School Performing Arts Center – 3100 Edgewater Drive, Orlando, FL 32804. Open to the public, ticket prices range from $8 to $16 and can be purchased through the FSYO website (www.fsyo.org) or at the door. This concert is part of the Season Subscription Package. As always, teachers receive free admission to this and all FSYO concerts.
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So much has already happened this season with the FSYO. Our annual concerts have gone off without a hitch, while some great, once in a lifetime events, like the Rex Brothers Live concert, were introduced. Edgewater High School proved to be a fantastic new host for our practices and events and this is just the half!
As we prepare for the New Year, let's take a moment to look back at the first half of this amazing 2014-2015 FSYO season!
For Immediate Release
ORLANDO, FL– On Saturday, December 6th, 2014, the Florida Symphony Youth Orchestra will once again join forces with WMKG Local 6 and the City of Orlando to present the fourth annual WKMG Local 6 Holiday Concert. The concert will feature the FSYO orchestras and will serve to benefit the Salvation Army's Angel Tree Network. In past seasons, attendees contributed $600 in Salvation Army Red Kettle donations and over 160 gifts for children in need.
Hosted by WKMG Local 6 talent, and featuring FSYO's four award winning youth orchestras, this concert will ring in the holiday season with sing-a-longs, Yule-tide cheer and a very special ho-ho-holiday guest. The concert will begin at 6 p.m. at the Lake Eola Band Shell, 195 N Rosalind Avenue, in Downtown Orlando and is free to the public; however in keeping with the spirit of the season, and in support of The Salvation Army's Angel Tree Network, the FSYO kindly asks attendees to bring a new toy or new clothing item for donation.
ABOUT: 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 58th Concert Season, comprises three full orchestras and one string training orchestra made up of more than 250 students from eight Central Florida counties. The FSYO is a non-profit 501(c)(3) charitable organization. For more information, please visit www.fsyo.org.
ABOUT: WKMG Local 6 is one of the foremost television stations in the Central Florida area. Serving nine counties, WKMG Local 6 provides award-winning daily-newscasts, in-depth investigations, local entertainment and network programming to the community. Known for being Central Florida's first television station, Local 6 has received numerous accolades for their work including the prestigious Edward R. Murrow Award and multiple Emmy and Associated Press awards. Owned by Post-Newsweek Stations, Inc., a division of the Washington Post Company, WKMG Local 6 is Central Florida's source for CBS. Local 6 serves the public through the Good Neighbor 6 community outreach program, bringing important, life-saving information to Central Floridians through special events and programming. Additionally, Local 6 exclusively broadcasts RetroTV, which brings viewers all their favorite television classics. Visit clickorlando.com for continuous updates on local news, weather & sports.
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