A Day in the Life Spotlight on Andrew Cheshire

FSYO SPOTLIGHT: ANDREW CHESHIRE

We have many graduating seniors this year in FSYO, some of whom are finishing high school after only three years! It is an amazing task to be committed to extra-curricular activities and maintain an accelerated academic track, but this was an easy task for our Symphonic Orchestra Concert Master, Andrew Cheshire. Read on for an interview with this talented young musician.

FSYO: How long have you been with FSYO? What made you want to join?

Andrew: I started FSYO five years ago. I began in Philharmonic, first violin section. Then I became concertmaster of the Philharmonic. The third year and fourth year, I was in the Symphonic, first violin section. This year, I am the concertmaster. I feel humbled to be leading such an amazing group of musicians under the baton of Maestro Lane.

Had I not joined FSYO, I would not be the musician I am today. I knew right away that the experience of working with other serious musicians would challenge me—it did, and continues to do so every year.

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Andrew shaking hands with Maestro Lane

FSYO: You participated in the National Youth Orchestra this summer. How was that experience?

Andrew: I learned more musically the summer of NYO-USA than I ever have in the past. However, NYO-USA wasn't just a musical experience for me. It influenced me in so many other ways as well. Traveling to Russia helped me to look past the labels that are put on people and ideas. To Americans, Russian's are looked at as Communists who carry no emotions, when in reality they are some of the nicest people I have ever met. In a similar way, classical music in America is labeled as a dead art. I want to be part of the future orchestras of America that prove this label wrong. Classical music is something more powerful than words. It is the force that brings more than nine thousand people together in one space. It is a universal language which allows communication between any two people no matter what nationality. Classical music is the past, the present, and the future. Classical music is my future.

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Andrew, one of last year's Concerto Competition winners, performing his concerto at Bob Carr

FSYO: You are a senior this year; a very exciting time! What are looking forward to the most this year? What are your plans after graduation?

Andrew: This year, I look forward to developing my leadership skills as the concertmaster of the FSYO. I also look forward to walking across the stage at the Bob Carr to graduate from the program, simply because I feel I now have the maturity and the skills to learn at the college level. I hope to attend college at one of the following universities where I can major in violin performance and minor in business: Jacobs School of Music/Indiana University; Cleveland Institute of Music/Case Western Reserve University; Eastman School of Music/University of Rochester; Thornton School of Music/University of Southern California; FSU School of Music/Florida State University.

Ultimately, I hope to graduate from college and be a member of one of the "Big Five" Orchestras in America. I know that my goal is attainable because of my training, such as with the FSYO and my years to come in college.

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Andrew in his cap and gown!

Thank you, Andrew, for the interview! Be sure to come and see Andrew sitting first chair in FSYO concerts this season.

Have more questions for Andrew? Email them to info@fsyo.org.