MYSO News
The latest news and announcements from Milwaukee Youth Symphony Orchestra
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.
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
MYSO Tidbits
by Michelle Hoffman Congratulations to MYSO winners in the recent Civic Music High School Competition: In the vocal category: Senior Symphony member Michael Seybold. In the instrumental category: Senior Symphony members Amy Koo, Cecelia Santiago, and Grace Woo, and alumnus Jonah Kartman. Alumnus Malik Johnson (2018) was part of Kirk Franklin’s recent Grammy award-winning album Long Live Love, as a member of the Matt Jones Orchestra. Malik was also onstage with the Matt Jones Orchestra when they performed in Kanye West’s opera, Nebuchadnezzar, at the Hollywood Bowl in Los Angeles in November. Alumna Aruna Halala-Vishudh (1995) was recently honored by…
February 07, 2020
2019-20 Concerto Competition Results
MYSO is pleased to announce the results of the 2019-20 Concerto Competitions. 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: Zak Chen, violin Runner-Up: Amy Koo, violin Honorable Mention: Grayson Eichmeier, oboe Simon Field, horn Noor Salameh, cello Cecelia Santiago, violin Leonardo Viglietti, flute Julianna Vogl, violin Grace Woo, violin Metropolitan Symphony Orchestra Winner: Clark Snavely, violin Runner-Up: Sofia Castanho-Bollinger, violin Honorable Mention: Emmah Bagin, trumpet Nolan Boerner, cello Ethan Chen, violin Vivian Cucu, viola Zechariah Cummings, cello Shreya…
January 13, 2020
MYSO Tidbits
by Michelle Hoffman Read about all the amazing things our musicians are doing! Congratulations to Metropolitan Symphony Orchestra Concertmaster Clark Snavely who was named winner of the Madison Symphony Orchestra 2019 Fall Youth Concerto Competition. Clark performed the first movement of Lalo’s Symphonie Espagnole with the Madison Symphony Orchestra in Madison’s Overture Hall. Violinist Zak Chen was recently named winner of the MYSO 2019-20 Senior Symphony Concerto Competition. Zak will perform Ravel’s Tzigane as featured soloist with the Senior Symphony in Uihlein Hall of the Marcus Center on January 25. Zak began his violin study at age four and studies…
December 03, 2019
Musicians Share Perspectives on Ireland Tour
by Michelle Hoffman This summer 89 Senior Symphony and Metropolitan Symphony Orchestra musicians embarked on a cultural and performance tour of Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland. We were delighted to read the inspiring and engaging personal accounts of three musician bloggers. From their descriptions of the rich history and scenic beauty of Ireland, to the stories of bonding and camaraderie, to the powerful accounts of creating music and connecting with their audiences, they made us feel as though we were right there with them. We are happy to share their portrayals of the most central aspect of the…
December 03, 2019
The Journey from MYSO to Olympic Gold
by Ron Oshima Composer, computer scientist, educator, lawyer, musician, physician, recording engineer…these are some of the careers that MYSO alumni typically pursue. Olympic Gold medalist never appears on that list…but it eventually did for Gwen Jorgensen, Olympic Gold winner in the triathlon in Rio de Janeiro in 2016. Gwen became the first American triathlete, man or woman, to win an Olympic Gold medal. I had the chance to speak with Gwen’s sister Liz, and mother Nancy, about this incredible journey. Liz Jorgensen graduated in 2001 from Senior Symphony as a violist, while her sister Gwen graduated in 2004 as a…
December 03, 2019
Margery Deutsch Announces Retirement at MYSO
As we enter this new season, there is a major development to share with our MYSO family in the coming year. It is surely bittersweet to inform you that now in her 34th season with the Milwaukee Youth Symphony Orchestra (MYSO), Margery Deutsch has announced her plans to retire from her role as Music Director of Senior Symphony, the flagship orchestra, at the end of the 2019-20 season. In consultation with the board chair and a small advisory group of board directors, we are delighted to announce that Ms. Deutsch will transition into the first Music Director Laureate in MYSO's…
September 03, 2019
Receive our newsletter
Find joy, passion, and inspiration at MYSO.