School Spotlight: Minnesota Youth Symphonies

Today's audio comes from the 2014-15 season of the Minnesota Youth Symphonies. This MYS Symphony Orchestra performance took place at Northrop Auditorium and Orchestra Hall, and was led by Manny Laureano.

• 7:15 a.m. — Claude Debussy: La Mer: From dawn to noon on the sea

• 6:30 p.m. — Hector Berlioz: Benvenuto Cellini: Overture

Since 1972, Minnesota Youth Symphonies (MYS), has been fostering young musicians interested in conservatory-style orchestral instruction. Led by co-artistic directors Manny and Claudette Laureano since 1988, the organization has seen many artistic triumphs and honors since its inception, and the competition for landing a spot in an ensemble continues to grow. All students must go through a rigorous audition process every June, and just because a student has been a member of an MYS orchestra previously is no guarantee of re-admittance. The four orchestras — Symphony, Repertory, Philharmonic, and Strings — rehearse Saturdays at Highland Park High and Middle Schools throughout the academic year and perform concerts in the fall, winter, and spring. A scholarship program, based on need, ensures that no qualifying student is denied participation.

The Symphony Orchestra (the collegiate-level ensemble) in particular has had its fair share of exciting opportunities. Symphony was the first orchestra to ever perform for the Super Bowl when it was held in Minneapolis in 1992. In 2000, it was one of five youth orchestras from across the United States to participate in the National Youth Orchestra Festival in Sarasota, Fla. Notable professionals as Jorja Fleezanis — former concertmaster of the Minnesota Orchestra — and former Tonight Show bandleader, Doc Severinsen, have performed with the orchestra. Last season, the Symphony Orchestra students participated in a side-by-side rehearsal with the Minnesota Orchestra. Literature last season included La Mer by Debussy, The Sorcerer's Apprentice by Dukas, and they also performed Verdi's Requiem with the Minnesota Chorale at Orchestra Hall in April 2015. The annual Symphony Solo competition winner performs with the Symphony Orchestra. Last year's winner was violinist Jason Shu performing the third movement of the violin Concerto in D minor by Jean Sibelius in the February concert at Orchestra Hall.

Members of the Repertory Orchestra were showcased with the Minnesota Opera's Project Opera in one of the inaugural performances for the new Ordway Center Theater in March of 2015. Additional literature for Repertory included: Swan Lake by Tchaikovsky, Cakewalk by Gottschalk, Overture to the Barber of Seville by Rossini, and Danzón No. 2 by Márquez. The String and Philharmonic orchestras are no less impressive, performing classic and beloved literature that fits their intermediate and intermediate-advanced level of playing. The Philharmonic Orchestra featured guest artist, Kat Perkins performing Skyfall by the singer Adele and her producer Paul Epworth. Other literature included: L'Arlésienne Suite No. 2 by Bizet, The Magnificent Seven by Bernstein, Peer Gynt Suite No. by Grieg, and Easter Overture by Rimsky-Korsakov.

The String Orchestra enjoyed an eclectic season of literature that included: Vivaldi's Violin Concerto in A minor, Sinfonia in G Major by Stamitz, Jupiter from "The Planets" by Holst, Hoe-Down from "Rodeo" by Copland and music from Disney's "Frozen."

MYS gives back to the Twin Cities community of aspiring musicians in many significant ways beyond their annual concerts. Last May, El Sistema Minnesota — a program that offers free music instruction and instruments to students in North Minneapolis — was once again the beneficiary of a benefit concert featuring the MYS String Orchestra and students from El Sistema. All money raised was donated to El Sistema and MYS will repeat that success with another benefit concert at North High School in May of 2016.

MYS has another annual community event called Music and Melody Makers, which is designed to introduce the instruments of the orchestra. It is free of charge and open to children ages 3-14. Attendees get to try out the instruments themselves and then watch an orchestra in rehearsal. In addition to these special events, the MYS offers semi-private string lessons and instruments for 3rd-5th graders at Folwell Performing Arts Magnet in Minneapolis. Established in 1999, the String Studio program has about 40 students who are instructed by retired school music teacher, Susan Scott. These lessons allow the students to both progress faster as individual musicians, and to play better in their school orchestra. The String Studio students also visit an MYS rehearsal and perform at one of the MYS concerts each season, giving them an opportunity to perform at a professional concert venue with their peers. The positive effects of this string program have manifested in increased school attendance, and more articulate class participation from the participants. These students have found that their self-esteem has increased as they have begun to understand that achievement comes from working hard at something.

Discipline in music study and academic achievement go hand in hand for MYS students as well. Recently, a former MYS student credited being in MYS for his success in science. The practice habits he developed from being in orchestra, like working through a passage on his violin repetitively until he could play it well, translated into being able to focus for hours on problem-solving in science class. The development of the cognitive skills of problem solving and focusing on outcomes whilst working together as a music ensemble proves invaluable in the "real world" and gives students a sense of purpose and belonging. Executive Director Vicki Krueger says, "In creating an atmosphere of high expectations and being able to work with others who share the same ambition, you fuel a student's passion and discipline for achievement. The result is artistry that is amazing to the student and their audiences.

Future events: MYS has a concert at Benson Great Hall at Bethel University on Sunday, November 15 at 2:00 p.m. The program includes Romanian Rhapsody by Enescu, Rienzi Overture by Wagner, Pomp & Circumstance No. 1 by Elgar, The Moldau by Smetana, American Salute by Gould, The Little Fugue by Bach, and more. Follow this link for more information.

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