On Saturday, February 6, at 3:00 p.m., MYSO will present the first Percussion Concert of the season.  The concert will feature MYSO’s newest ensemble, the Calypso steel band, and two Percussion Ensembles comprised of the Senior Symphony and Philharmonia percussion sections. This free concert will take place in Youth Arts Hall at the Milwaukee Youth Arts Center (325 W. Walnut St., Milwaukee).  

The first half of the program will include the Percussion Ensembles, instructed by Linda Siegel and Tim Rush, performing modern works for percussion.  These ensembles have provided a wonderful opportunity for MYSO's advanced percussion students to perform challenging literature in a small ensemble setting.  Audience members will have the opportunity to hear music that they have likely never experienced on instruments that will be utilized in fascinating ways and in interesting combinations.  

The second half of the program will feature Calypso, MYSO's steel band. Calypso was formed in May of 2007 and is instructed by Tim Rush and Charlie Short.  The program began with intensive rehearsal and training of students who came from various Milwaukee schools and auditioned into Calypso by showing a positive attitude, a natural sense of rhythm, and a genuine desire to learn.  Following a successful summer season, Calypso continued into the regular MYSO season as the newest ensemble in the MYSO family.  Calypso has performed all over Milwaukee, with highlight performances including African World Festival in 2008, at the 2009 United Performing Arts Fund Kickoff, and , most recently, at the 2010 Martin Luther King Jr. Birthday Celebration at the Marcus Center for the Performing Arts.  Selections performed at the concert will include those from the traditional calypso and soca genres as well as arrangements from the classical repertoire.