Metrowest Youth Symphony to Merge With Claflin Hill Orchestra

The members and board of birectors of the Metrowest Youth Symphony Orchestra, based in Framingham, have voted to formally dissolve their organization and merge with the Claflin Hill Symphony Orchestra, which is based in Milford.

The organizations announced the move in a press release.

MetYSO, which formed in 2000 is in residence at MassBay Community College in Framingham, where it holds weekly rehearsals every Sunday afternoon from September through May. The organization consists of three ensembles: the Youth Orchestra, students from junior through senior high school ages; a Repertory Ensemble, an “introductory” string ensemble for younger string students; and a Youth Wind Ensemble, a concert band ensemble for junior and senior high school students.

MetYSO serves more than 60 students from almost 35 communities throughout Eastern and Central Massachusetts.

In 2005, Claflin Hill Symphony Founder and Executive and Artistic Director Paul Surapine became MetYSO's music director. MetYSO and Claflin Hill also entered into an official mentor orchestra relationship, which brought Claflin Hill musicians into MetYSO rehearsals and concerts as coaches and advisors throughout the season.

MetYSO’s next concert is at 3 p.m. Jan. 27 at the MassBay Community College Wellesley campus, when all three ensembles will perform a wide range of musical offerings from Leroy Anderson, to Wagner, Gounod and The Lord of the Rings.

Auditions for openings in the orchestras for second semester are on Feb. 3 at the MassBay Framingham campus.

For more information on MetYSO, visit www.metyso.org. For more information on Claflin Hill, visit www.claflinhill.org.