KEVYN - Violin

When auditions were held in the spring for YOBC’s 2009-10 season, we auditioned a number of students for our new ensemble, Prima Strings. Kevyn, a violinst, was the first Prima Strings candidate to be accepted for our new junior ensemble.

Kevyn was a fourth grader at Bryn Athyn Church School in Bryn Athyn, Pennsylvania. She had been playing violin for about two years. She takes lessons from Rachel Brandt who provides lessons during the school day. Ms. Brandt recommended that Kevyn audition for our new ensemble. It was not the first time Kevyn’s family heard about YOBC. Their friends and neighbors are former YOBC students.

Kevyn has played violin in her school orchestra and in small groups for school programs and at church. She says her audition was “really easy,” and she thought that the people were very welcoming and friendly.

STUDENT COUNCIL
In February we held the first meeting of the new YOBC student council. The students who volunteered to serve on the student council were told they would have two objectives: to plan a social activity for the Advanced Division students and to give input to the YOBC Board of Directors regarding their ideas and suggestions for improving YOBC’s mission. Thirteen students from YOBC’s Advanced Division volunteered to serve in this capacityi.

The goal of the first meeting was to choose officers and brainstorm for possible direction. The students were engaged and focused on the job at hand. They exchanged information about the qualifications of the various members and elected a president, Claire; vice president, Brian; and secretary, Victoria—all members of YOBC’s Symphony Orchestra. Claire then led the council in forming a special events committee and coming up with a plan for accomplishing their tasks. The council had a lively discussion—creative and reflective—regarding ideas for making YOBC a better experience. The president and vice president present their ideas to the Board at the March meeting.

WILL - CELLO

One of 15 seniors graduating from YOBC this year is our principal cellist, Will. Will has been a member of YOBC for four years: two in Philharmonia and two in Symphony Orchestra, this year serving as our section leader. Will is also graduating from the Solebury School in New Hope, where he plays in their instrumental ensembles and participates in chorus.

One of Will’s favorite YOBC moments was the trip last spring to New York City. He liked being able to play in a new venue—St. Paul the Apostle Church in Manhattan (“better than those middle schools”)—followed by an opportunity to see the Broadway production of West Side Story. But overall, Will appreciates the opportunity YOBC gave him to play with other motivated musicians. “It’s humbling for me, at least, to play with others who are so talented,” Will said. “It puts my playing in perspective.” He has enjoyed having YOBC as part of his regular Sunday afternoon routine and how Mr. Loughran always made it fun.

MELISSA - TROMBONE
What did you do on your summer vacation? YOBC trombonist Melissa went to New York and played at Carnegie Hall! In June, Melissa took part in the American High School Honors Performance Series at the famous concert hall, established “to showcase some of the most talented performers in high school today.” Melissa spent five days in New York, rehearsing 10 hours a day, and enjoying some of the sights of the city. The program culminated in a performance for a sold-out crowd of 1,600 “New York concert going patrons and specially … collegiate and professional music program representatives” as well as families and friends who were able to make the trip. Melissa was nominated for the program by her high school band teacher , who says Melissa has a great attitude toward learning. “She worked so hard [in middle school] and continued to work hard in HS as my student. She has a great attitude and helps out her section.” Last fall, Melissa sent in a CD she made on a friend’s computer. In December she blearned that she was one of only 90 band students accepted for the program. Upon arriving in New York, and meeting students bfrom all around the United States, Canada, and the Caribbean, there were seating auditions (Melissa earned third chair) before the hard work of the rehearsals. The music was more difficult than what she is used to playing at YOBC or at school, but by the third rehearsal, under the direction of Professor Robert Reynolds of the University of Southern California, the band really came together.

GABE - TUBA
My goal this past summer was to attend a summer music camp program that would allow me the opportunity to grow as a musician. My tutor recommended several camps to me. After looking at all of the camps on the web, I quickly became interested in the Tanglewood Institute because I thought it would be a great experience to work with Mike Roylance, Principal Tuba with the Boston Symphony Orchestra. Tanglewood was the only program that was “tuba intensive.” I liked the idea that it was a two-week program as opposed to the full summer, allowing me time to participate in my high schoolʼs marching band camp.

The experience all started with the application process which included asking for recommendations. I decided to do a live audition and went into New York City for my audition. Carrying my tuba through the snowy and cold streets is something I will not forgot. I felt my audition went well, but it was several months before I received my acceptance letter.

The program started on Fatherʼs Day with a barbeque. The barbeque was a great way for all of us to meet one another. Then the next day and for two weeks straight the day was filled with rehearsals, sectionals, and solo time with a pianist followed by master classes with Mike Roylance and other invited guests. Most evenings, we attended concerts given by the faculty. Many of them were also members of the Boston Symphony Orchestra.

I enjoyed being with other dedicated musicians who share a love of music as I do. I found out that over 800 students auditioned for various spots in the two-week program and only 100 students were accepted. It was cool to know that I was part of a select group.

SCHENLEY - BASS
Schenley has a “string thing.” The Concertino musician joined YOBC last year as a violist, but over the winter break, decided she would like to come back to Concertino as a bass player.

Schenley is a homeschooled seventh grader who  plays with the orchestra and the jazz band at her local middle school. She started viola when she was in third grade, but last fall switched to the bass because she likes the louder sound. It has not been easy learning the bass because she had to learn to read a different clef, but Schenley has been working hard at her new instrument.

Musical instruments are not Schenley’s only string passion. She is also a member and treasurer of two local 4-H clubs—a community club and an alpaca club—which help her indulge her interest in fiber arts. Schenley has learned to wash, card, and spin wool to make her own yarn (strings!) that can be dyed and used to create any number of things.

Schenley enjoys working with her animals and the fiber they make and pictures herself living and working on a “hobby farm.” She also sees herself continuing to play music and especially enjoying the orchestra. One way or another, Schenley will be doing her “string thing” for a long time!

WIDCHARD - PERCUSSION
YOBC percussionist, Widchard, has won the School Band and Orchestra (SBO) essay contest. Widchard was chosen as one of SBO’s 10 $1,000 winners for his essay on “How my music teacher has influenced me and my goals in school.…”

“My band teacher has influenced me and my goals in school by always giving me upbeat support. For the past three years, he has played an instrumental role in helping me to become a skillful musician and has encouraged me to maintain a high level of discipline. I joined the band as a percussionist in the fifth grade. From the start, Mr. B took me under his wing and has nurtured my musical aspirations. He always takes time to answer my questions and helps me with my music no matter how busy he is. His encouragements have motivated me to practice more and make progress everyday in music, as well as in all my academic subjects. My hard work paid off when I was able to move up to advanced band in my second year. I was proud of myself when I was awarded with an Outstanding Musician Award at the end of the school year. I was able to accomplish these milestones because my band teacher supported me every step of the way.

Mr. B has reinforced what my parents have always told me to do, which is to put education first, do my very best to hit high notes in my academic studies. I will continue to work hard to achieve all my educational goals. With the help of teachers like Mr. B, I am marching on to cross the finish line.”

CHRIS - VIOLIN
This year, Chris will be YOBC’s Symphony Orchestra Concertmaster. Chris first auditioned for YOBC when he was in fifth grade. He was not accepted then since he had never had private violin lessons. But he began taking lessons and came back the following year even more determined. Chris joined Concertino that year and has worked his way through our ensembles, to earn the first violin chair in our Symphony Orchestra.

Some new members of YOBC may recognize Chris from their auditions in the spring. Chris is a valuable volunteer who works with us to help students tune their instruments. But he also offers them last-minute advice, calms their nerves, and serves as a cheering section for incoming students. During our season, he helps younger students tune, and helps out at the snack stand and wherever else he can volunteer.

JESSE - PERCUSSION

Jesse is in his third year with YOBC. He plays in the Wind Ensemble, the Percussion Ensemble, 

Playing in three YOBC ensembles makes Sunday a busy but interesting day for Jesse. “It is an incredible opportunity to be able to play in these three ensembles. Their styles are very different, which gives me the chance to play many different songs and learn so many new things during my time there. I have been given the chance to play obscure instruments, like brake drums, and the timpani which has taught me a lot.”

Jesse’s favorite part about YOBC is interacting with other musicians and conductors. “I rarely get the opportunity to play with such dedicated, talented people because I do not have a band at my school,” he says. “They give me inspiration to work harder and play better each week. “

This spring, the YOBC Percussion Ensemble will have a joint performance with the TCNJ Percussion Ensemble. Jesse is looking forward to the event which he believes will be “an incredible learning experience for me. To be able to play with percussionists of their caliber will teach me so much and give me inspiration to practice harder each day.”