Kawartha Youth Orchestra is rehearsing via videoconference
In-person sessions for local music program on hold due to COVID-19
The Kawartha Youth Orchestra’s usual rehearsal home is the Parish Hall of All Saints’ Anglican Church, 235 Rubidge St. But like many organizations, it has temporarily migrated to the Zoom video platform to hold rehearsals during this period of physical distancing.
“Our ensembles meet at their regular times to learn and review repertoire,” says Maggie Goldsmith, the group’s president. “While online rehearsals can be challenging — orchestra musicians play better together — we’ve maintained almost 100 per cent musician participation during COVID-19. In fact, one of our members, a Spanish exchange student, continues to rehearse with us from his home in Spain to which he returned in March. We are now an international orchestra!”
The orchestra’s annual public spring concert was cancelled due to COVID-19, but the musicians intend to perform a virtual concert in mid-June, at a date to be announced. Led by PSO musical director Michael Newnham, the KYO is an auditioned orchestra that has been in existence since 2002 and has trained over 400 local youth musicians to date.
The Junior Kawartha Youth Orchestra was founded in 2016, led by Marilyn Croteau Chalk, in recognition that too few local youths had access to ensemble music programs through school music or private music lessons, and the available recruitment pool for the KYO was shrinking.
Since its inception, JKYO has welcomed more than 70 musicians and has been a consistent talent feeder for the auditioned orchestra.
Last spring the organization ran a pilot after-school music program called UPBEAT! Downtown for at-risk children in the downtown area at All Saints, where they came together three times a week for musical fun and learning. Instructors led the students in musical activities that included rhythm and percussion, singing, playing the PBuzz and music exploration games.
Participants enjoyed musical experiences in a supportive environment. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the program is on hold for this year, but will start up again in September 2021.
The KYO relies on community volunteers to help keep it running, assist with event production and, most critically, serve on its committees and board of directors. They are currently inviting applications from those interested in serving on their finance committee, development committee, or serving as treasurer with the board of directors.
For information about volunteer opportunities, please email info@thekyo.org.
If you have discovered unused instruments while spring cleaning, please consider donating them to the KYO. Orchestral instruments in playable condition are welcomed for their instrument lending library. Tax receipts will be issued for the current appraised value of the instrument. For more information or to donate, contact Ann ann@thekyo.org.
Crawford Trail cleanup
The Crawford Rail Trail cleanup has been happening for at least 10 years. This year, the usual trail clean ups for Earth Day were cancelled, but that did not stop organizers, the East Peterborough Lions.
“Very special thanks go to the East Peterborough Lions for, while respecting physical distancing, picked up many, many bags of litter on the Crawford Rail Trail behind Lansdowne Place and the TD plaza,” says Peterborough Coun. Lesley Parnell.
“This Lions Club has also sponsored a new picnic table and new big tree for the Cameron Street Park which will be installed/planted at some point this year. Previously, they have donated toward that fabulous new playground and bench in the Cameron Street Park.”