FSYO ANNOUNCES 2019 CHINA TOUR WITH PERFORMANCES IN BEIJING, XI’AN, HANGZHOU, AND SHANGHAI

FLORIDA SYMPHONY YOUTH ORCHESTRAS ANNOUNCES 2019 CHINA TOUR WITH PERFORMANCES IN BEIJING, XI'AN, HANGZHOU, AND SHANGHAI

ORLANDO, FL - On Thursday, June 27, the Florida Symphony Youth Orchestras' (FSYO) students, parents, and staff will embark on an East Asia tour to explore famous landmarks and perform breathtaking concerts across China. Immersed in new cultures, students will gain a well-rounded experience of a lifetime during their two-week journey. Not only will students have the opportunity to meet youth from other countries, but they will also have the benefit of playing, and learning, alongside each other.

When asked how this tour will impact both FSYO students and Chinese audiences Mr. Hanrich Claassen, FSYO Music Director, remarked, "My hope for our FSYO musicians is to be inspired as life-long learners by this opportunity to travel to foreign lands and get to know a different culture. In turn, I am proud to offer to our audiences in China an engaging selection of music played by a group of diverse and accomplished musicians from Central Florida".

A highlighted piece from the tour program, building of a city, is a commissioned work by ASCAP's 2019 Young Composer Award recipient and former student of Claassen, Sam Wu. Born in Shanghai, the young composer recently completed his studies at one of the world's top music conservatories, The Juilliard School, after receiving his A.B. from Harvard University. Additional pieces that are being performed are by Balakirev, Copland, Chabrier, Mendelssohn, Dvorak, and Yuankai.

Florida Symphony Youth Orchestras' Touring Symphony is honored to perform for audiences in Beijing, Xi'an, Hangzhou, and Shanghai. Information on tickets for concerts at The Forbidden City Concert Hall, the Concert Hall of Xi'an Conservatory, the Zhejiang Concert Hall, and the Shanghai City Theatre in can be found online at www.fsyo.org.

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 62nd Concert Season, FSYO serves almost 300 students and is comprised of seven ensembles - three symphony orchestras, one string-training orchestra, a chamber orchestra, two jazz orchestras - and two supplementary programs - Stringmania Summer Camp and Sing-Song, String-Along.

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, Symphonic Orchestra students participate in life-changing experiences of organized tours, alternating between international & national travel every other year.

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