OSO Youth Orchestra performs this weekend across the valley
You have the opportunity this weekend to join in a marvelous experience with approximately 80 of the most musically talented young people in the Okanagan. Joining you will be an incredibly dedicated and capable group of young musicians who will bring to you concerts this weekend:
It will be clear that they have brought with them not only their incredible talent but also a deep love of music.
Yes, it is the spring performance of the Okanagan Symphony Youth Orchestra under the director of Rosemary Thomson and Dennis Colpitts. You will hear the full orchestra performing eight wonderful pieces. In addition, three amazing soloists will be featured during the concert.
As the music emerges from the orchestra, your appreciation will deepen not only for the exceptional concert music, but also for the incredible array of youthful talent we have in the Okanagan. This talent, in combination with a strong commitment from orchestra members and their families, has been used to create an exceptional level of performance through the work of the Orchestra leaders.
One additional enriching aspect of the program is that two of the pieces, Symphony No. 1 in E Minor by Leif Jack and Days End by Joel Casson, are both original compositions each by the students mentioned. These will also be performed at the concert.
Be prepared to hear exceptional solo performances. The soloists are Christopher Dlouhy performing the Piano Concerto No. 3, 2nd movement, by Beethoven, Emily Traversy, performing the second and third movements of Tchaikovsky’s Violin Concerto in D Major and Libby Wyse, performing the first movement of Mozart Concerto Number 5 in A Major on the violin.
All three are amazing in terms of the talent they have developed and their love for and commitment to the orchestra.
Dlouhy is a student who finished high school at Kalamalka Secondary and has a wide range of performance skills. These include the piano, as well as the violin, which he played for two years before becoming a clarinet playing member of the orchestra. He became exposed to music as “a kid and loved it” which motivated him to keep learning and improving. As this wasn’t enough, Chris is also a world class fencing competitor in both North America and Europe placing seventh overall in the world in recent international competitions. He was drawn into fencing when he saw the movie The Princess Bride, some years ago. He now spends more than five hours a day in practicing his two passions.
The experience with the orchestra he describes as unique, as he says “everyone here loves the music we are playing. Everyone pushes hard and wants to be here, practicing and performing”. Dlouhy is planning to go to University of Victoria to continue his career in music.
Traversy is the orchestra’s Concert Master. She joined the orchestra after completing high school at the Fountain View Academy. When she was two and a half she told her family she wanted to be a violinist and at five was given her first violin and started taking lessons. She has never stopped.
Having graduated from high school, she is now teaching music in Kelowna to beginners and intermediate players as well as being a key part of the orchestra. As she says “music will always be the biggest part of my future. I would like to continue with orchestral music as well as become part of a Chamber Group. It is amazing to be a part of such a wonderful group of dedicated musicians, especially working with Rosemary and Dennis. I love being part of it”.
Wyse, assistant Concert Master, has been playing the violin since she was nine, and later joined the orchestra encouraged by her friends to do so. She also plays the piano however she says: “it is more for fun”. Growing up as a home-schooled student she says it worked out well as “she had more time to practice. It is also so much fun and interesting to be able to share the rehearsals and concerts with all the members of the orchestra”.
Wyse plans on going to university after she finishes high school next year.
In every student’s life – each of them has been strongly supported by their families who are also wonderful supporters of the orchestra.
So, this weekend, gather together and listen to the Okanagan Symphony Youth Orchestra for an inspiring live musical performance from the valley’s most talented young musicians. You will enjoy it. Today: Trinity United Church, Vernon, 3 p.m.
Sunday: The Cleland Theatre, Penticton, 2 p.m.; First Lutheran Church, Kelowna, 7 p.m.
Milton Orris is a long-time supporter of Penticton’s arts scene.