Parting Thoughts

Monday was the GTCYS Symphony's final rehearsal of the season. I wanted to tell the students how proud I am of them before this Sunday's Spring Festival concert at Orchestra Hall. Following are my remarks:

I’d like to say a few words, reflecting back a bit on this year which is ending so very quickly (even if some of you, especially seniors, may think otherwise).

Returning students, next year you will be the glue that holds the group together. You will set the standard with preparation, energy, initiative in dealing with bowing issues or fixing balances or asking about apparent mistakes in the parts, counting rests, making confident entrances – in short, playing like real musicians.

Seniors, many of you have stated that their favorite GTCYS memory is Scheherazade or Carmen, or Jupiter, or one of my many pie facials. Yes, those are all tasty moments which I don’t believe I’ll forget. But special moments for me are also when a student overcomes a musical issue that’s been frustrating him or her. It’s when a shy kid and I have an interesting conversation for the first time. It’s when a student sitting in the back of their section makes eye contact with me during some electric moment in a concert, and at that point in time we both know that we’re sharing something musical which is very special – and it doesn’t matter that the student isn’t first chair.

Everyone contributes to amazing moments and major successes in Symphony, both at rehearsal and in concert. And that’s been especially true this season. Whether it’s practicing scales and excerpts, or counting rests, or taking the initiative in fixing a bowing or balance issue, or marking parts, or just generally playing in such a way that the Minnesota Chorale folks go, “WOW,” this has been very much a student-led orchestra – more than in the past, and in a way which I’m confident will continue into future years. And that is one of the hallmarks of any really good orchestra – that regardless of the conductor’s imprint on it, there’s tremendous initiative, cohesion, pride and enjoyment emanating from the players themselves. I think you all are at least somewhat aware of that dynamic in our Symphony. It’s there, it’s very strong, and it’s just as important in a student orchestra as it is in a professional orchestra. So I wanted to just say that – IT’S THERE. And it’s made this year such a treat, and I thank you for it.

"Carmen" in concert!

This Sunday, May 1, the GTCYS Symphony joins forces with Minnesota Chorale to present portions of Bizet's opera Carmen. This is a one-of-a-kind program, and it's going to be spectacular! Also on deck are Jennifer Higdon's "blue cathedral" and Verdi's overture to La forza del destino.

Concert is at 3pm at Ted Mann Concert Hall at the University of Minnesota.

We're charting new paths!

GTCYS is entering into a strategic alliance with the St Paul Chamber Orchestra! We're sharing resources by moving into their office space, and SPCO will give us administrative and fund-raising advice. What we're NOT doing is merging--not now, not later. The organizations are staying independent, and our orchestras will continue rehearsing and performing in the same places, with the same conductors and coaches, that they do now.

We already make some music together. There's the "Saturday Special" chamber music program, in which SPCO musicians coach GTCYS students. And SPCO artistic partners have guest-conducted our rehearsals. It'll be interesting to see which new musical paths we take.

This partnership is especially interesting for its uniqueness. Normally a youth orchestra is completely independent (e.g. Albuquerque, Portland, New York) or it's part of the professional orchestra in town (like in Cleveland and San Francisco). In this unique arrangement we're charting new paths alongside an organization known for its creativity and artistry--and we couldn't be more excited!