Youth Orchestra Closes 31st Season

The Youth Orchestra of the Southern Finger Lakes will present the final concert of its 31st concert season at 4:00 p.m. on Sunday, May 16th at First United Methodist Church in Horseheads, New York (address: 1034 W. Broad St). The concert, conducted by Fitzroy Stewart, is free and open to the public.

A highlight of this concert is a newly commissioned piece by Christian Martin featuring the graduating senior members of the Youth Orchestra of the Southern Finger Lakes.

The Youth Orchestra, sponsored by the Orchestra of the Southern Finger Lakes, is an ensemble of the finest young musicians in the Twin Tiers region. Now in its 31st season, the Youth Orchestra exists to inspire and enrich the lives of young musicians through unparalleled experiences performing in a full symphony orchestra with good friends and expert instruction.

CONCERT PROGRAM:
VON SUPPE Overture to a Poet and Peasant
STRAUSS Allerseelen Opus. 10, No. 8
BACH Praeludium
MARTIN Symphony for Scholars
Featuring Graduating Senior Soloists
SCHUBERT Symphony No. 8 in B minor
BACH Concerto for Oboe, Violin, and Strings
Gretchen Raupp, violin and Benjamin Yoder, oboe
DVORÁK Slavonic Dance No. 7 in C minor
DVORÁK Slavonic Dance No. 8 in G minor

The Youth Orchestra of the Southern Finger Lakes encourages its senior players to perform advanced concerto repertoire of their own choosing. Two of our graduation seniors, violinist Gretchen Raupp and Oboist Benjamin Yoder, will perform Bach's "Concerto for Oboe, Violin, and Strings." Due to this year's large number of seniors, the remaining graduates will be heard in a newly commissioned work by the young composer Christian Martin entitled "Symphony for Scholars." Fitzroy Stewart has said, "In all, it promises to be a wonderful culmination to a successful season!"

Originally formed by David Einfeld in 1972 and directed by Fitzroy Stewart since 1988, the Youth Orchestra of the Southern Finger Lakes is an ensemble of Corning-Elmira Musical Arts, Inc. (CEMA). CEMA serves New York's Southern Tier communities through extraordinary musical programs and educational offerings. CEMA was established in 1996 when the Corning Philharmonic Society merged with the Elmira Symphony and Choral Society. The organization now comprises more than 120 musicians in its Youth Orchestra, Professional Orchestra, and Community Chorus.