MYSO News
The latest news and announcements from Milwaukee Youth Symphony Orchestra
12-Year-Old Violinist Inspires Community
by Michelle Hoffman If you ask Sinfonia violinist RaphaĂ«l Coly, 12, what he likes most about playing music, he will tell you it is “to make people happy”....which makes him happy. RaphaĂ«l’s mom, Yolanda, works with the non-partisan non-profit Transformative Justice Coalition which helped organize the local John Lewis “Good Trouble” VoterCade March. Named for Rep. John Lewis after the congressman’s death in July 2020, the marches popped up in cities across the country. Back in October 2020, RaphaĂ«l was quarantining at home, and feeling rather dejected because he was unable to come to MYSO. Yolanda had a last-minute idea:…
In the Pocket with Yishay Levin
by Ron Oshima Yishay Levin started playing electric bass in middle school when a jazz combo needed a bassist, and he quickly jumped at the opportunity. He didn’t play the instrument and didn’t have a private teacher when he started. Through sheer determination, he pulled off a concert only a month later and hasn’t looked back! Yishay plays electric (5-string) and upright bass in MYSO’s Jazz Studies and is a senior at Nicolet High School. Yishay’s body moves through the notes when he plays. “Yeah, I do like to move a lot on the electric bass,” he says. “I move…
April 27, 2021
MYAC Expands Into the Future
by Michelle Hoffman The sounds of banging, pounding, and drilling aren’t necessarily the magnificent musical phrases one would ordinarily hear at MYSO. But these days, it’s the norm. This winter, the renovation of our home, the Milwaukee Youth Arts Center, began with a bang…literally! Construction crews descended upon the building in January, beginning the process of creating more programming space in the basement (now known as the “garden level”), specifically, providing two additional rehearsal halls, six small group spaces, and another six studios. In addition, a second common space where our students and their families can come together will be…
April 27, 2021
MYSO Tidbits
by Michelle Hoffman Congratulations to MYSO members named winners in the 2021 Civic Music High School Competition: Nicholas Emanuelson, cello; Shreya Girish, flute; Lucas LaBeau, piano (winner of the Lee Guse Memorial Jazz Scholarship); Autumn Lee, clarinet; Isabella Lozier, voice; and Cecelia Santiago, violin. On January 30, MYSO held concerto competitions for seven of its ensembles. The winners are: Senior Symphony: Cecelia Santiago, violin; Metropolitan Symphony Orchestra: Owne Xayboury, viola; Philharmonia: Cordelia Zahner, violin; Sinfonia: Kate Flint, viola; and Madison Koo, violin; String Orchestra: Charlotte Kojis, violin; Ava Larsen, cello; and Kevin Mi, cello; Chamber Flute Ensemble: Zackary Munoz; flute;…
April 27, 2021
Pathways To Success: MYSO’s signature fundraising event, April 29, 2021
Please join us at https://youtu.be/fgDoICOJ6Zk Thursday, April 29, 7:00 pm, for our livestream Pathways to Success event, to support MYSO’s financial aid programs for young musicians. Experience an hour-long program of student performances, inspiring stories of student transformation, fundraising, silent and live auctions, and the presentation of the 2021 Collaborative Spirit Award to the Milwaukee Youth Arts Center. With your support we can continue to transform young minds and our community through music. Virtual Experience: 7:00 pm – 8:00 pm. To donate, visit one.bidpal.net/mysopathways2021/welcome or contact Development Director Guillermo Baena at guillermobaena@myso.org or 414.267.2952. Thanks to our Host Committee: Tami…
April 27, 2021
2021 Concerto Competition Results
MYSO is pleased to announce the results of the 2021 Concerto Competitions which took place Saturday, January 30. The winners of these competitions will perform as featured soloists with their ensembles at concerts later this season. Please join us in congratulating the following musicians: Senior Symphony Winner: Cecelia Santiago, violin Runner-Up: Maja Pechanach, clarinet Honorable Mention: Nolan Boerner, cello Sofia Castanho-Bollinger, violin Abigail Hanna, cello Jonathan Koch, cello Amy Koo, violin Cecilia Koth, violin Brooke Wisniewski, horn Cynthia Yan, flute Metropolitan Symphony Orchestra Winner: Owne Xayboury, viola Runner-Up: Jayanth Suthan, violin Honorable Mention: Andrea Hanna, violin Lydia Weaver, violin Philharmonia…
February 01, 2021
Alumni Gathering a Success
We were excited to re-connect with nearly 70 alumni and friends at our annual Alumni Gathering on January 6 which included a reception and a side-by-side rehearsal with the Senior Symphony! See more photos on our Alumni Facebook page.
February 07, 2020
Save the Date for Pathways To Success: April 30, 2020
You can change a life. Attend Pathways, MYSO’s signature fundraising event. We are grateful to our early sponsors of this year’s Pathways to Success! For information on sponsorships, contact Judy Haugsland, VP of Development, at judyhaugsland@myso.org. PRESENTING SPONSORS Margarete & David Harvey Richard & Suzanne Pieper PREMIER SPONSORS Kate & Don Wilson Larry & Diana Morton GOLD SPONSORS Kris & Ken Best Bobbi & Jim Caraway Craig & Mary Robyn Peotter/Baird Sarah & Steve Zimmerman SILVER SPONSORS Dr. Gerardo Caballero & Mrs. Cynthia Caballero Croen Foundation Inc. Jayne Jordan Andy Nunemaker Jodi Peck & Les Weil BRONZE SPONSORS Linda Edelstein…
February 07, 2020
Pizza for Thanksgiving in the Big Apple
by Ron Oshima Lyle Rivera, MYSO Jazz Studies guitarist and 2019 graduate, spent his first Thanksgiving away from home dining in at Joe’s Pizza on 14th St. and 3rd Ave., a few blocks from New York University (NYU) where he is a freshman. This is the quintessential image of a young musician striking out on his own in New York City. Lyle is pursuing a Bachelor of Music degree in Jazz Studies at NYU, which lies in the heart of Greenwich Village, home to many jazz clubs. What led you to MYSO? I spent the last two years of high…
February 07, 2020
Bravissima, Ms. Deutsch!
by Ron Oshima What else can one say about Margery Deutsch, after 34 years of leading MYSO’s flagship Senior Symphony as Music Director? She is retiring at the end of this season and has been named Music Director Laureate of MYSO. It’s mind-boggling to succinctly summarize 34 years of service to MYSO, but let’s try: Over 2,000 young musicians trained Over 5,000 hours in rehearsals and performances 13 tours, 10 of them international A dozen countries toured, spanning 4 continents Ms. Deutsch influenced several quantum leaps in those 34 years. When she started, MYSO tour performances took place in outdoor…
February 07, 2020
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