FLORIDA SYMPHONY YOUTH ORCHESTRAS PRESENTS POPS IN THE GARDEN FT. THE CENTRAL FLORIDA COMPOSERS FORUM

ORLANDO, FL – On Sunday, February 9, 2020, Florida Symphony Youth Orchestras (FSYO) will present its third annual POPS in the Garden concert. Grab a blanket and enjoy a picnic in the park accompanied by some of your favorite movie themes, show tunes, and popular hits. This afternoon performance will feature FSYO’s Overture Strings, Prelude, Philharmonia, Jazz I, and Jazz II orchestras. 

In partnership with FSYO, the Central Florida Composers Forum invited current members to apply for one of five composer residencies with ensembles within the FSYO organization. Residencies will take place during FSYOs 63rd concert season with the unifying theme for all residences being PULSE. Each composer was left to interpret that theme in any meaningful and appropriate way. Overture Strings will premiere a commissioned piece by composer Ryan McQuinn during the POPS concert.

"My piece for the young children in Overture Strings embraces unity while celebrating diversity,” says McQuinn. “It's wonderful to witness the youngest musicians learning to walk. I hope that my piece helps them feel more sure-footed and inspires confidence that bolsters their journey."

The Grove at Mead Botanical Garden is an open-air pavilion designed for musical performance, theatrical productions, film viewings and educational programming, located in the heart of the 47-acre public garden in Winter Park. It was constructed for FSYO after a generous and long-time anonymous supporter of the orchestras donated $250,000 to build the multi-faceted pavilion. 

The concert will begin at 3:00 p.m. at The Grove at Mead Botanical Garden - 1500 S Denning Dr, Winter Park, FL 32789. Tickets range from $10 to $15 and can be purchased at www.fsyo.org or at the door day of show. As always, academic and music educators receive complimentary admission to this concert.

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 63rd concert season. Today, 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 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 have the opportunity to participate in life-changing experiences of organized tours. 

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 Ryan McQuinn: Ryan McQuinn's music has been performed live by Orlando Contemporary Chamber Orchestra and Alterity Chamber Orchestra. Through the years, he mastered various recording software and played in different rock bands, most notably Bedlam Stories. After years of songwriting, recording, and playing live, 2012 presented him with an opportunity to work on the score for Dungeons & Doritos. 

McQuinn has worked on various video games and podcasts such as Interstellar Space: Genesis, Lotia, Dungeons & Doritos, Call of Cthulu Mystery Program, Liberty: Vigilance, and Dark Dice. He is currently creating sfx for Axe Cop, scoring and doing sound design for the Lightning Dogs short film, and writing orchestral versions of Johnny Cash music for Cash & Friends.

About Central Florida Composers Forum: Founded in 2011, the Central Florida Composers Forum is an organization of composers and new music practitioners dedicated to engaging the creative and larger community of Central Florida through the promotion of original and innovative music programming. Central Florida Composers Forum strives to be part of a larger cultural conversation where the musical, visual and other performing arts connect with audiences, foster vital collaborations, and produce multidisciplinary performances. Cultivating an audience for new music through education, workshops and outreach programs that create memorable artistic experiences for youth and community members are also central to our mission.

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Link for tickets: http://bit.ly/PopsFSYO2020

Facebook Link: www.facebook.com/events/576483693181812/