Congratulations to Grace Rames, BYSO’s 2020 Concerto Competition Runner-up! Today we feature Grace’s performance of the First Movement of Symphonie Espagnole by Edouard Lalo. Enjoy her performance and learn more about Grace:

Grace has been with BYSO for 6 years. She used to play the cello and double bass, but now has excelled in the violin, playing it for 7.5 years.

“I’m very excited to have been picked as a runner-up for the BYSO Concerto Competition! I’ve put so many hours of work into this piece and to see all the effort pay off fills me with so much joy. The thing I have missed the most during this pandemic is playing in orchestras and BYSO with everyone. As amazing as it is that we can use technology to meld together individuals and bring back that spirit of togetherness, it doesn’t quite hit the same as seeing and hearing a performance come together in real time. Though, I can’t discredit Zoom rehearsals entirely, it is also so satisfying when all those parts playing along with the click track line up with each other and create that full “orchestra” effect.

After I graduate high school, I plan on attending a music conservatory. My goal is to become a concert violinist, but I would also love to see wherever the music world takes me. Though music is my number one passion, I also enjoy drawing, fashion, and makeup. I love all things creative whether that be art, writing, or music.”

Congratulations, Grace! Next Sunday we’ll feature BYSO’s 2020 Concert Competition Winner, Renee Yeung.

 

Several students have not filled out BYSO’s Winter Quarter Signup form. Whether you prefer to stay in the same ensemble as the fall OR have decided to go on leave until spring, you must fill out the form. This form helps ensure that each student is accounted for and placed in their preferred ensemble.

If you have any questions, contact admin@byso.org.

Learn more about BYSO’s Winter Quarter Offerings.

Congratulations to Daniel Sun, BYSO’s 2020 Concerto Competition Runner-up! Today we feature Daniel’s performance of the first movement, Allegro, of the Flute Concerto No. 7 in E Minor, by Francois Devienne. Daniel also played his own piano accompaniment, a first for BYSO. Enjoy the performance below!

Daniel is a senior this year who has been with BYSO for 5 years. He plays a variety of instruments including cello, piano and his primary instruments, flute and piccolo.

“The BYSO concerto competition gave me a chance to be creative and push myself to see what I can accomplish. Back before quarantine, I always enjoyed accompanying for my friends. Though it’s not the same as playing with other people, this concerto competition gave me a chance to try accompanying for myself, which I thought was useful for understanding the music as well as fun!

Even though in-person rehearsals are difficult for most instruments and downright impossible for winds, I’ve enjoyed the opportunity to rehearse virtually with my friends. The slower pace of rehearsals and sectionals allowed me to build a strong relationship with my ensemble groupmates.

In my spare time, I enjoy listening to a variety of classical music, leading science clubs at my school, studying physics, doing science bowl, playing video games, and video calling with friends.”

Congratulations, Daniel! Next Sunday we’ll feature BYSO’s 2020 Concert Competition Runner-Up, Grace Rames.

All students who plan to continue BYSO this season must fill out our Winter Ensemble Selection form. This form will let us know if you plan on returning in the winter and which ensemble you prefer, or if you would rather have your spot held for spring 2021.  Sign up for Winter Quarter before December 6, 2020.

Submissions for BYSO’s Winter 2021 Auditions are due tomorrow, December 1 at 11:59 PM. All instruments are welcome. Learn more.

If you already auditioned in the fall, sign-up for winter quarter. All students that are participating in BYSO’s 2021 Winter Quarter must sign-up by Dec. 6.

Submissions for BYSO’s 2021 Winter Auditions are being accepted now until December 1, 2020. Winter auditions are for new students that did not audition in the fall. All instruments are welcome. Learn more about the audition process.

Are you a a current BYSO student? Did you audition in the fall? Sign up for BYSO’s winter quarter.

Don’t forget you can support your favorite nonprofits while you shop on Amazon. Start your shopping this weekend at smile.amazon.com, use your regular Amazon login information, and choose BYSO as your charity recipient. Amazon will then donate a small percentage of what you buy. Thank you for supporting the arts in these small and wonderful ways!

This Monday, Nov. 23, is BYSO’s last rehearsal for the fall quarter. Winter quarter will begin Monday, January 4, 2021.

For those who already auditioned in the fall, please fill out our Winter Ensemble Selection Form to let us know your preferred ensemble next quarter. Submissions are due by Sunday, Dec. 6, 2020.

For new students interested in auditioning, visit our Audition Instructions page. Registration for BYSO’s Winter Auditions is open now until Tuesday, Dec. 1, 2020.

Registration for BYSO’s Concerto Competition is open for one more week. Learn a concerto, record with a live or recorded accompaniment, and submit to BYSO by November 18. Winners will have their performances featured in December.

BYSO’s Concerto Competition is open to members of Youth Symphony, Philharmonia, Flute Orchestra, and Percussion Ensemble. A student in another BYSO ensemble who is extremely advanced on an instrument other than the one he or she plays in BYSO (for example, piano) may enter the competition as well.

BYSO’s fall quarter is halfway through and we could not have imagined getting this far without supporters like you. Thank you to all who have donated to BYSO’s annual fall Pass the Hat campaign. If you had not had the chance to donate, please consider giving. Our goal is that all BYSO families give, even $5. We are currently at 28% participation with less than a month to go.

Your donation helps BYSO afford the music directors that teach small ensembles, the software and programs that keep our platforms running, and scholarships for students in need. Again, your donation of any size is appreciated and will help us reach our participation goal.

We thank you deeply for your support.