The Memphis Youth Symphony was founded in 1966 by the Memphis
Symphony Orchestra, becoming an independent program in 2006. Today,
nearly 300 students from all over the city perform in MYS’ four
orchestras: the Youth String Ensemble; the Youth String Sinfonia; the
Youth String Orchestra; and the Youth Symphony.
According to executive director Kathleen Powell, only 10 percent of
the program’s graduates go on to play professionally. That said, all
are invited back for this Saturday’s “A Musical Homecoming,” an MYS
reunion and music-filled fund-raiser.
The evening will include a reception for MYS alums and current
musicians, speakers, and solo and group performances, followed by a
concert by the Memphis Youth Symphony Alumni Orchestra. The Alumni
Orchestra’s 65 members, led by former MYS conductor Vincent Danner,
will perform numbers they remember well, such as Morton Gould’s
American Salute.
Alisa Horn, MYS member from 1993 to 2000 and now a freelance cellist
in New York City, is one of A Musical Homecoming’s organizers. She’s
been working on the event for months and has contacted most of MYS
alums through Facebook. She says that the majority of those who are
coming still perform, and those who don’t have opted to speak at the
event. For Horn, the MYS was her weekly music outlet. She got to meet
other kids and develop her competitive side through the program’s
auditions, while building an appreciation for orchestral music. “I love
to play,” she says, “and it taught me to play well with others.”
“A Musical Homecoming,” Saturday, June 13th, 7:30 p.m. at First
Congregational Church. Tickets are $15 for adults and $10 for students.
Go to memphisyouthsymphonyprogram.org
or call 327-5078 for more info.
