The Okanagan Symphony Youth Orchestra (OSYO) is thrilled to present its Fall Concert in-theatre to live audiences.
Founded in 1988 by renowned composer Imant Raminsh and now under the umbrella of the OSO, the OSYO is in its 33rd season. This year limited to 50 students from throughout the Okanagan Valley, the OSYO continues to navigate the aftermath of the pandemic and provides a safe environment for live music-making.
“We are so thrilled to be making music once again with our OSYO musicians,” says OSO Music Director Rosemary Thomson on behalf of co-conductor Dennis Colpitts and herself. “The excitement of our musicians as they prepare music for a live audience again after 24 months is palpable. I know that they will simply shine.”
The OSYO provides young string, wind, brass and percussion players with opportunities to engage in advanced orchestral playing with their peers who share a love for classical music. Students aged nine through 20 are welcomed from all over the Valley. Typically this is through weekly rehearsals between September and May, an overnight rehearsal camp weekend in the fall, two concert weekends, and a side-by-side experience with their professional teachers and mentors of the Okanagan Symphony Orchestra. Additional programs are available to students for concerto performances and in composition.
The OSYO Fall Concert will feature cellist Angela Zeng – a star in the making.
“Her solo performance of the first movement of the Dvorak Cello Concerto is quite simply awe-inspiring and we are delighted to showcase her on this concert,” say Rosemary Thomson. In addition, “Rain at the End of Time,” a new work by trombonist and Grade 12 student composer Dryden Bennett, will be premiered by the OSYO.
“This is Dryden’s second orchestral composition. His first, ‘Tangerine Trees,’ was included in the October concert of the OSO,” says Dennis Colpitts with pride. It is rare for a student composer to have the opportunity to hear their work performed by a professional ensemble.
Performance and ticket information are as follows:
Tickets available online at www.okanagansymphony.com/tickets/ or at the door for all performances (cash sales only) — general admission seating.
VERNON
Saturday, November 27 at 3:00 pm, Trinity United Church (3300 Alexis Park Dr.)
PENTICTON
Sunday, November 28 at 2:00 pm, Cleland Community Theatre (325 Power St.)
KELOWNA
Sunday, November at 7:00 pm, First Lutheran Church (4091 Lakeshore Rd.)
With audience capacity restrictions, venue requirements and mask mandates, the OSO and OSYO continue to follow all public health directives to ensure the safety of musicians, Symphony staff, volunteers, and patrons. Ticket holders over the age of 12 will be required to show their BC Vaccination card, as proof of vaccination to access the performance venues.
