Helpful reminders for audiences

Written by Michelle Hoffman | 07 February 2013

The idea of a live instrumental concert is to enjoy the music, not worry about a set of guidelines. However, the only way to fully enjoy the music is to listen; and, therefore, many of the hints below will focus on enjoying the concert quietly. The audience is an essential part of a concert, along with the composer, the music, the conductor and the musicians. Just as the musicians must do their part to make the performance a success, so must you! With our Winter Concerts approaching--the first this weekend--we have compiled some hints just for you.

• Try not to talk to your neighbors during a performance.
• Try not to rustle your program noisily while the music is playing. Also, searching for something in a plastic shopping bag is very noisy and is strictly prohibited. (Believe us, it happens!)
• Unwrap your cough drops before the performance. The candy with a silent wrapper has yet to be invented, and listening to someone trying to open a wrapper stealthily is excruciating.
• Please turn OFF your cellular phone, beeper, pager, alarm watch and any other electronic devices that may make noise during the concert. Even phones on "silent" or "vibrate" mode emit a signal that could be picked up by and audible through nearby sound equipment. Also, no texting, please! Luminous LED screens are very annoying to other audience members!
• If your young child becomes restless or noisy, out of courtesy for the other audience members--and so as not to risk spoiling the recording of the concert--please take him or her out of the hall immediately. Also, the audience is free to stand up and stretch during breaks between orchestras; use this opportunity to allow your youngsters to be themselves. MYSO concerts are performed by young people, but because of the advanced music performed and the length of the concerts, they may not be appropriate for very young audience members. Please keep this in mind when planning who will join you at the concerts.
• It is strongly recommended that you stay seated during a concert. When people get up during performances it is a visual distraction to performers and also a distraction to fellow audience members. If you or a child must leave the hall for a reason other than the above, please do so during breaks in the music, or better yet, during applause.

• Fill in all seats by moving to the middle of rows.
• Use coatrooms and coat check areas as a way to save on space in seating areas. Those bulky winter coats can take up a lot of space in a concert hall!

• Camera flash is prohibited at all times, especially during the music.
• Please be aware of others around you; be courteous to your neighbors. Your camera or videorecording device may be blocking someone else's view of the stage. Please set up tripods in the BACK of the hall.
• Camera sounds should be silenced during performances. It may sound far-fetched, but shutter "clicks" have been picked up on MYSO concert audio recordings. Also, your camera's "beeps" could be distracting to performers or your neighbors in the audience.

• Allow plenty of time to park, find the correct location and get tickets if needed. (To avoid the often long lines at the ticket booth, we would highly recommend purchasing your tickets in advance, which generally means you'll get them at a discount too!)
• Enter the concert hall quietly and in an orderly fashion.
• Know that box offices (especially those which are run by the performance facilities) generally close one half hour after the concert's starting time. If you plan to arrive late to a concert because your child is performing later or if you know you must be late for some other reason, you may be left without tickets! Plan to get your tickets in advance--or better yet, come for the whole concert!
• If you are arriving late, please enter only during breaks in the music. Waiting until a piece ends is ideal; during the applause is even better.
• Stay for the entire concert. More than one group is performing on each of our Winter Concerts, and each deserves an audience and your courteous attention. Having younger MYSO students hear more advanced groups is a wonderful educational experience. Blocks of seats will be reserved in the concert halls for students so they can be seated and hear the remainder of the concert.


• applauding when the concertmaster enters
• applauding when the conductor enters
• applauding after a piece is over. To avoid applauding at an inappropriate time in the music, wait for the conductor to acknowledge the audience before applauding. Sometimes this seems like a long time, but the conductor may be waiting for the sound to fade away. Enjoy the final notes of the piece with him or her by waiting to applaud until he or she turns around.
• You may "participate" only when the conductor or master of ceremonies asks you to (e.g., clapping to the beat); however...
• ...it is probably not a good idea to hoot, boo, whistle, or stamp feet in the concert hall.
• We strongly encourage WILD applause and shouts of bravo at the end of a piece (remembering, though, not between movements of multi-movement works)!


Thank you! We hope remembering these tips will ensure EVERYONE'S enjoyment of these concert events and help make the concert experience for all our participating MYSO students the best it can be!

MYSO welcomes Aaron Apaza to its full-time administrative staff!

Written by Michelle Hoffman | 28 January 2013

MYSO is delighted to announce that Aaron Apaza has joined the MYSO administrative staff as Executive Assistant. Aaron will be coordinating and training MYSO’s many volunteers as well as assisting the administrative staff and the committees of MYSO’s Board of Directors. Some of you may know Aaron already as he has been an instructor, coach and judge for MYSO.

Before joining the staff of MYSO, Aaron served as Acting Assistant Principal bassoon with the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra for the 2011-12 season. He developed a love of music early in life, spending two years at the Interlochen Arts Academy in Michigan studying with Barrick Stees, Assistant Principal bassoon of the Cleveland Orchestra. In 2001, Aaron was named a Presidential Scholar in the Arts, and as part of that honor, played a movement of the Gordon Jacob bassoon concerto at the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C. After Interlochen, Aaron moved to Philadelphia to attend the Curtis Institute of Music under the tutelage of Bernard Garfield, retired Principal bassoon of the Philadelphia Orchestra. He then continued his studies at Yale University's School of Music where he received instruction from Frank Morelli, bassoon soloist, chamber musician, and teacher. Upon the completion of his studies at Yale, Aaron was invited to join the New World Symphony in Miami, where he played under music director Michael Tilson Thomas. In 2010, he joined the Colorado Symphony as Acting Assistant Principal bassoon for the 2010-2011 season. In addition, Aaron has played with the Philadelphia Orchestra, The Delaware Symphony, and the Chamber Orchestra of Philadelphia, among others.

Aaron has an interesting set of experiences which make him uniquely qualified to join us in this new role. He has administrative experience at both the Curtis Institute of Music and Yale University, where he supported the Deputy Dean, human resources and benefits coordinator and development department. He also has served as a binding technician for the Curtis Institute and has experience in billing and bookkeeping. 

When he's not working at MYSO or playing the bassoon, Aaron enjoys cooking, discovering local restaurants, and watching British period costume dramas.

We are thrilled that he has decided to join our team at MYSO and look forward to the skills and experience he will bring to our organization.

MYSO honors Ron Melby

Written by Michelle Hoffman | 24 January 2013

At MYSO's annual gala Founders Concert on January 20, we paid tribute to those who shaped and formed the MYSO organization in its early days without whose vision MYSO--now in its 57^th season--would not exist. One of those early and very influential educators--Mr. Ron Melby--is still working with our young people today. With Carter Simmons, Mr. Melby is the Music Director of MYSO’s Philharmonia, and has recently announced his retirement from MYSO after nearly 48 years as a MYSO conductor. We were delighted that Mr. Melby and his family--including daughter Lynn Trinkl, also a MYSO conductor, and grandson Nathan, a member of MYSO's String Orchestra--could be at this concert in which MYSO staff--and the Senior Symphony--celebrated him and his years of service to generations of young musicians. We will be honoring Mr. Melby at additional concert presentations this spring.

After graduating from the University of Wisconsin in 1963, Mr. Melby was immediately hired by the West Allis School District as an orchestra director in the district’s K-8 schools. One year later, at age 25, Mr. Melby was recruited by MYSO’s (then Music For Youth or “MFY”) founder Milton Weber to conduct the organization’s third orchestra (the precursor to today’s Sinfonia) then known as “Orchestra III,” or the “Training Orchestra,” which Mr. Melby describes as “an absolutely beautiful chamber orchestra.” In the 1985-86 season, he began conducting Orchestra II, now known as MYSO’s Philharmonia. Soon after beginning his career in West Allis, Mr. Melby became the orchestra director at Nathan Hale High School where he taught until his retirement in 1995.                                                            

Known as an extremely hardworking yet supportive taskmaster during the early years, Mr. Melby rattled off the names of dozens of MYSO alumni describing them as, “each so special in their own unique ways; I’ve seen so many of them grow so fast both as musicians and as people.” One such alumna is MYSO’s new Executive Director Linda Edelstein: “I had the honor of working with Mr. Melby while at Nathan Hale High School and in MFY. His dedication to excellence, coupled with his devotion to his students, make him a wonderful teacher and mentor. I fondly recall the many rehearsals he led of Beethoven’s Symphony No. 1 and Schubert’s Unfinished Symphony. It was his passion for education that instilled in me my life-long commitment to a career in music. I was beyond delighted to join MYSO and find Mr. Melby still teaching and mentoring the students today in the same selfless way he always has done. Thank you, Mr. Melby, for all you have taught to me and the thousands of students before and after me!”

Above: Music for Youth Training Orchestra, Ronald Melby Director, 1967-68 season

Mr. Melby’s deep commitment to educating young people is exemplified by his devotion and dedication to teaching. “My first major interaction with Ron Melby was in late summer, 1988, shortly after I started working at MYSO,” says Fran Richman, MYSO Executive Director from 1988-2012. “We were holding auditions, and Ron’s audition room quickly became horrendously behind schedule. I was concerned that there might be a major parent uprising over the long waits. But as soon as I discovered that the issue was that Mr. Melby was simply doing what he always does—teaching!—and that each student was getting not just an audition but also a full-scale lesson in the ways to improve upon everything, it was very easy to say to parents, ‘Just pretend it’s your son or daughter in there. Surely you’d want your child to reap the benefit of those wonderful years of experience, right?’ After that, no complaints!”

“Ron Melby has been vital to the success of the MYSO program,” says Carter Simmons. “He has always demanded high musical standards and brings to the podium a thorough knowledge of how to teach each instrument. He has shaped the very important role of MYSO’s second symphony orchestra and its importance to the organization and has played a pivotal role in Philharmonia’s success. He has been helpful to the entire MYSO staff, and so supportive to me as a conductor and as a friend.”

When asked to discuss his favorite moments of his career, Mr. Melby cites performances like Tchaikovsky’s Serenade for Strings, Greensleeves Fantasy and performing with then “Orchestra III” at the State Orchestra Convention in Oshkosh. Mr. Melby said with a laugh, “I worked that group of kids really hard, maybe a little too hard.”

In typical Mr. Melby fashion, when asked to talk about himself and his own accomplishments as a music educator, his response was to praise everyone else he has worked with through MFY and MYSO including Milton Weber, Bernie Stepner, Margery Deutsch, Fran Richman and Carter Simmons.

A result of his great love of nature and “roughing it,” one of his favorite parts of his role as a MFY and MYSO Orchestra Director was seventeen years of planning, conducting and teaching at MFY’s Summer Camp at Camp Indian Sands at Tuttle Lake in Northern Wisconsin. With guest artists, orchestra rehearsals, sectionals and chamber music experiences, “the MFY staff “kept the kids busy and playing sun up to sun down.”

MYSO owes a huge debt of gratitude to Mr. Melby for 48 years of shaping the lives of literally thousands—generations—of musicians and for his tireless efforts and boundless enthusiasm for youth and music.

Above: Playathon 2010—for the first time, three generations of one family perform on a single MYSO concert. Mr. Melby, his daughter Lynn Trinkl, also a MYSO conductor and Lynn’s son Nathan, a member of MYSO’s String Orchestra.

Above: Mr. Melby teaching at MFY Camp in the late 80s.

A tribute to Fran

Written by Michelle Hoffman | 20 December 2012

It’s almost impossible to imagine MYSO without Fran Richman. Her impact on the organization--on children, families, and the community--has been monumental, and that’s the best part of the whole “Fran equals MYSO” thing. She’s never made people feel like it IS an organization. Everyone I know feels a personal connection to MYSO, whether it’s as a participant, parent, contributor, board member or staff member. It’s the ultimate collaborative undertaking. That sort of “It Starts at the Top” management is not easy, even if her demeanor and self-depreciating style would lead you to believe otherwise. Don’t be fooled, and for heaven’s sake, do not underestimate her ability to multi-task every detail (right down to cooking lunch for the volunteers) while driving the cause forward, ever forward. Her tenacious grip on the goal of giving to Milwaukee-area’s children an opportunity never imagined for them could only be achieved by a highly intelligent, relentless individual, huge of heart and willing to do whatever it takes to make it happen.  I and many others are constantly inspired, and challenged, to DO and GIVE more by the example she has set every day these last 24 years. As a parent, then a volunteer, and now proud to call her my friend, I give a standing ovation to Fran’s legacy, and wish her a happy, healthy, and productive—‘cause that’s the way she’d want it—retirement. Bravo!

            DEB LINLEY, MYSO volunteer and alumni parent

The skill and discipline Fran brought to her leadership of MYSO is an example for the entire community. I have been incredibly fortunate to work with Fran having learned a life-time of lessons from her. Her superb abilities have created an institution that will sustain young peoples’ learning and creativity for generations. Fran is a visionary and powerful champion for young people, for MYSO, and for Milwaukee. Her leadership has enabled MYSO to become an extraordinary arts institution and an incredibly powerful model for those who want to provide opportunities for young people. Fran cares enormously for people, and she is the fiercest mush-ball I know. Her legacy of love and devotion to Milwaukee’s students will endure as MYSO continues to prosper. Everyone who is touched by MYSO has benefitted from her stewardship of resources, and her ability to bring people together for noble causes. Each of us owe a debt of honor to Fran for her work and for her passion. She has created a foundation and vision that will drive MYSO’s mission for decades; Fran has truly been “Instrumental in Changing Lives.” It’s an honor to be her friend and colleague. Thank you for everything, Fran.

CARTER SIMMONS, MYSO Artistic Director

The legacy of Fran Richman and her extraordinary influence on MYSO will live on for generations to come. Fran has touched the lives of thousands of children during her impressive 25 years as executive director, collaborator and visionary. The influence Fran has had on the performing arts in Southeastern Wisconsin extends beyond her work at MYSO. Fran was instrumental in conceptualizing the Milwaukee Youth Arts Center (MYAC), which has had an exponential impact on arts education programming. For many, MYAC is more than a building. It is a safe, innovative place where a child’s potential can be realized. The United Performing Arts Fund congratulates Fran on her well-deserved “retirement.” The entire UPAF staff expresses their gratitude for Fran’s dedication, generosity and courage to make a difference.

            DEANNA TILLISCH, President and CEO, United Performing Arts Fund

I wouldn’t be the musician I am today without Fran Richman and MYSO.

ANDREW NEESLEY, MYSO alum, professional jazz trumpeter based in New York

Margery, Ron and I were on hand to welcome Fran to the then MFY staff. Little did we know what—by the initial decade of century 21—this amazing individual would have wrought. Fran led and oversaw the growing of MFY to MYSO and from 300-some to 900-some in young Milwaukee-area musicians. Between 1988 and 2008 I saw Fran lead MYSO from a mere youth orchestra program to a complete youth instrumental music program—with something for everybody. Added to the already flourishing orchestras, I saw added a wind ensemble, two flute choirs, a chamber orchestra, the Progressions program, Jazz, Calypso, and possibly student musician involvement of which I'm not even yet aware. She accompanied and or oversaw five international and several domestic tours—all of which I've been honored to be a part. Perhaps the greatest accomplishment of all—MYAC. During a period of economic downturn, Fran was one of the principal forces in raising some 12-13 million dollars it took to forge the spectacular Milwaukee Youth Arts Center into reality.

Such dedication. Such tenacity. Such vision. As a 28-year veteran of the MYSO staff, I can say, "Fran, it has been an amazing and artistically rewarding journey." Well done. WELL DONE! I look forward to your being with us—adjusted capacity granted—long into the future. Brava!

SHELBY KEITH DIXON, Associate Conductor, MYSO Senior Symphony

Let’s go back a few years … to 1993.  MYSO is still cooped up on the 4^th floor of the PAC.  Hallways are crammed with students, bookbags, and instrument cases. UPAF staffers complain they are trapped in their office.  Fran and her loyal staff are stuffed into a large closet, along with a collection of basses, harps, timpani, tubas, a xylophone, a gong and massive piles of music scores. Overhead, overburdened shelves that are overburdened threaten to crumble at any moment.  Meanwhile the PAC is lusting after MYSO’s tiny space and conjuring schemes to evict.

In the eye of this hurricane is Fran Richman.  Deftly she is managing another magnificent year for MYSO, to be topped by a trip to Carnegie Hall.  Creatively, she is envisioning an unbelievable future for MYSO for her board of directors.  Energetically she is scouring the city for a new home for MYSO.  Auditions, parent counseling, real estate searches, rehearsals, staffing situations, and the usual shenanigans by a group of Senior Symphony members who were leading the chaperones on a merry chase up and down the back stairwells of New York’s Hotel Taft.  Halcyon days!

Today, Fran’s dreams have come to fruition. The incredible MYAC is here and paid for. Endowments and scholarships are at all-time highs, including the innovative Fran’s Fund. Student and staff talent has never been better or more exciting. MYSO is strong and a national leader.  What seemed like a dream in 1993 is today’s reality. It has been an amazing journey. 

Thank you Fran.

PAUL KRITZER, MYSO board President, 1992-95

Today, I am fortunate to be an orchestra teacher in the Shorewood school district, doing something I love to do in a school system where music arts are so appreciated. As President Obama said, “You didn’t do it alone”….and in my case, that’s true. MYSO and Fran Richman had profound impacts on my life.

The gift of five years in MYSO, learning the appreciation of wonderful music, being influenced by dedicated conductors, and surrounded by young musicians from throughout our community helped prepare me for a career in music that now allows me to give back what MYSO gave to me.

Because of my years in MYSO, and my close friendship with Wendy Richman and the entire Richman family, I was able to watch and understand why MYSO became so meaningful to me and to others. It was the leadership of Fran. It’s difficult to think of MYSO without thinking of Fran….or to think of Fran without thinking of MYSO. But I know that Fran’s skills made MYSO into an outstanding organization that will continue to flourish and enhance our community.

Thank you, Fran….and congratulations on your retirement!

            MELISSA HONIGMAN, MYSO alum, Elementary Orchestra Director, Shorewood School District

Fran, Thank you for making so many of my musical dreams come true—from Carnegie Hall to Edinburgh; from the Great Wall of China to the Musikverein and Dvořák Hall. Your hard word, dedication, and vision are a constant inspiration. I don’t think anyone else could have raised the money to create MYAC in such a short time. Your skills as an administrator and fundraiser are nothing short of brilliant. Fran’s Fund will keep your legacy alive for generations to come. There is no doubt in my mind that MYSO would not be what it is today were it not for you. Thank you from the bottom of my heart. P.S. Life will not be the same without your curried rice salad.  : )

MARGERY DEUTSCH, Music Director, MYSO Senior Symphony

Paul Kritzer hit the nail on the head when Fran received the 1996 Civic Music Distinguished Citizen award:

Fran Richman is a model of management, a master organizer, a moral compass, and a warm and considerate people manager. In the middle of the bustling, energetic MYSO arena, there is Fran with her clipboard plastered with dozens of stickered notes, calmly bringing order to the chaos from scores of students, staff, volunteers and members of the board of directors.

Fran’s mix of energy, efficiency, generosity and compassion has typified her almost twenty-five years at MYSO as well as her interaction with community and friends. It has also been our family’s great fortune to have the benefit of the blessing that is Fran at home. Now that we have three young grandchildren (Sara Tikvah, Bentzion and Reuven), these attributes are, if possible, appreciated even more. People sometimes ask how Fran will deal with semi-retirement. I am confident that she will find plenty to do. Our family’s only challenge will be to slow her down a bit so that she also multi-tasks on a few vacations.

STEVE RICHMAN, Fran’s husband of 41 years

My mom is one of my heroes, and not just because she’s my mom. As an arts administrator, I aspire to be like her: very diligent, good at working with and managing diverse individuals, a top-notch leader, skilled in many different areas, and exceptionally fiscally responsible, to name a few important qualities. Most importantly, I aspire to become the person my mom is: modest despite being very gifted at what she does, giving of herself to the utmost degree to others (especially the underserved), cheerful in the face of stress and adversity, fiercely devoted to her family, outstandingly generous, and did I mention very diligent?

Thank you, Mom, for all you’ve given and that you’ll continue to give, even after retirement. You have been a role model for me and for so many others. We love you, respect you, and are SO proud of you. May you be the beneficiary of all the good and blessing you’ve brought to so many people.

JOSHUA RICHMAN, Fran’s son

Being an itinerant musician means much of my socializing is done through Facebook. It’s an efficient way to tell friends about anything and everything, from a favorite gluten-free goodie to a cross-country move. On May 15, when I could finally spill the retirement beans, I posted:

My mom is retiring after 24 chronological years as Executive Director of MYSO. I say "chronological" because she's the hardest worker I've EVER known and has probably put in more like 50 years' worth of hours, conservatively. My mom is a complete powerhouse and has, with an amazing staff and thousands of talented kids, turned MYSO into a one-of-a-kind, world-class organization. I love you, Mom, and I'm so proud of you!

I knew that many former MYSO members and Whitefish Bay classmates would “like” the post and leave comments, but I wasn’t quite prepared for the response of over 150 friends. People referred to her as “an inspiration,” “one of the most awesome people I’ve ever met,” “dedicated and phenomenal,” and “definitely an influence in shaping my musical career.” Oh, and “a rockstar.” I was bursting with pride at the public affirmation of all these people’s esteem, and I know it made Mom pretty happy, too. 

WENDY RICHMAN, Fran’s daughter