Tampa Metropolitan Youth Orchestra Spring Concert

Tampa Metropolitan Youth Orchestra
Spring Concert Features Youth Ensembles

Tampa, FL  -- Experience an afternoon of orchestral music performed by Tampa Bay’s most talented young musicians during the Tampa Metropolitan Youth Orchestra Spring Concert on Saturday, May 10, at 6:30 p.m., at the University of South Florida’s School of Music Concert Hall, 3755 USF Holly Drive, Tampa.

The spring concert will feature the Symphony Orchestra performing Howard Hanson’s Merry Mount Suite.  In addition, two talented TMYO seniors – Tianbo Chen and Joseph Min -- the winners of the TMYO Concerto Competition, will perform as soloists with the orchestra.

Chen, a violinist and pianist, will play the third movement of Edvard Grieg’s Piano Concerto Op. 16.  Cellist Joseph Min will perform movements one and two of Edward Elgar’s Cello Concerto, Op. 85.

Music Director Dr. William Wiedrich explained the importance of featuring talented students during the concert.  “TMYO is a family.  A wonderful ‘whole’ made up of unbelievably talented individuals.”

Performing as a soloist “allows these incredible young people to exhibit another side of their talent.  They step out of the ranks, and become soloists,” said Wiedrich. “Complemented by a full orchestral experience, these young musicians learn the art of accomplishing their full potential, individually and collectively.”

Earlier on May 10, at 4 p.m., in the USF School of Music Concert Hall, three other TMYO ensembles will perform:  the String Concertino, the Symphonic Strings, and the Philharmonic Orchestra.  This concert is always fun as the youngest TMYO musicians take the stage, ending with a performance by the Philharmonic Orchestra, a full orchestra. Audience members will recognize familiar classical works such as the 1812 Overture and Capriccio Italien.

Tickets for both performances may be purchased prior to the concerts at the USF School of Music Concert Hall box office. Tickets are $12 for adults and $8 for students.  The purchase of one ticket gives you admission to both concerts.

If you are interested in learning more about TMYO, please visit the website at www.tmyo.org.  Auditions for next year will be held in August.  These auditions are open to students ages 6 to 19 who play string, woodwind, brass and percussion instruments. Financial assistance is available.

The Tampa Metropolitan Youth Orchestra offers superior orchestral training to young musicians throughout Tampa Bay. Students audition and are divided into four orchestral groups based on their skills.  More than 200 students from over 75 public, private, and home schools rehearse and perform at the University of South Florida’s School of Music.  Young musicians come from a wide variety of social, racial, economic and geographic backgrounds to create music, to make new friends, and to gain a lifelong appreciation of classical music.