Portsmouth Symphony Orchestra Celebrates Youth Participation - Gearing up for Mendelssohn Performance this Sunday

On the second Sunday of each month, fans of classical music are invited to The Dance Hall in Kittery, Maine where members from the group will be performing a selection of small ensemble pieces as part of their new chamber music series. This coming Sunday, January 10th, the PSO is excited for their debut showcase featuring youth members of their community driven collective.

The repertoire for this particular event highlights the Mendelssohn octet that was written when the composer was the tender age of 16, and features face-to-face string quartets, composed of principal players in the Portsmouth Symphony Orchestra who have mentored a youth string quartet of highly talented musicians from within the orchestra.

“Much like Mendelssohn when he wrote this piece, these young people performing are all 16 years of age or younger, a fact that blows my mind,” said Portsmouth Symphony Orchestra Youth Program Coordinator, Dorothy Braker. “The kids have already told me that they are so thrilled to have been asked and that it is an opportunity they would not otherwise have had, and has deepened their appreciation for their art. Many times, young people are not introduced to the great works when they are young. I think there is a very wrong assumption by their teachers that they are somehow not ready for these works. This is one of the cornerstones of the chamber music literature, some of the most difficult music ever written for an octet. They have put in countless hours learning it, and are doing a spectacular job bringing it to life.

We could not possibly be more proud of them.

I know the audience will be as well.”

The tradition continues for the Portsmouth Symphony Orchestra, who proudly place a strong focus on encouraging and educating young players and students, in order to foster appreciation for classical music.

For additional information on the entire series or to purchase tickets, please visit www.portsmouthsymphony.org, The Dance Hall Box Office, or call 207-703-2083.

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While keeping with the theme of the work the PSO maintains with youth as a part of their mission, the community-focused orchestra is pleased to announce its annual Young Artist Concerto Competition. The competition date will be Saturday, April 16, 2016 (time slot between 10am and noon) at The Woods Campus (Riverwoods) and is open to contestants:

· Currently attending high school

· Performing on Orchestral Instruments (including saxophone)

· NEW THIS YEAR: This competition is open to pianists

who live within New Hampshire or the Seacoast region of Maine and Massachusetts (from Beverly to York)

Registrations must be postmarked by Monday, March 14th. Winner will perform live with the PSO on the Music Hall stage on Sunday, June 5th.

For more information on the annual Young Artist Concerto Competition visit: www.portsmouthsymphony.org/competition/concerto

About PSO: Founded in 1997, The Portsmouth Symphony Orchestra is comprised of over 65 local professionals, educators, dedicated amateurs, and advanced students, with the mission of contributing high quality classical music to the Seacoast community.