Spring Concert from Youth Orchestras Impressive!

Spring 2023 Youth Concert

The May 2023 LaGrange Symphony Youth Orchestra and String Ensemble Spring concert was a wonderful program full of impressive talent. From beginning to end, the program was very professional. Much thought and care went into this concert. Michael Giel is the LaGrange Symphony Youth Orchestra Director, and Sam Lee is the String Ensemble Director.

Special Audience Recognition

It’s pretty rare for the arranger of a piece to be present at the performance, but that is what happened at this concert. String Ensemble Director, Sam Lee, recognized Callie Hammond who was in the audience and had arranged their second piece, Gavotte.

LSYO 2023 Graduate

The LSYO consists of the older, more advanced students. This year, the LSYO is graduating one member and she was recognized at this concert. Kate Veatch was congratulated and thanked for her contributions to the group. Kate has been the cello section principal, and will be greatly missed. She is a 2023 high school graduate and has been selected to attend Reformation Bible College in Sanford, Florida. Congratulations Kate!

Program – “Dreams and Dances”

String Ensemble
Royal Fireworks Minuet — G. F. Handel/ Arr. Hall
Gavotte — Giovanni Martini/ Arr. Hammond
Evening Prayer — Engelbert Humperdinck/ Arr. Del Borgo from Hansel and Gretel
Theme from Canon in D — Johann Pachelbel/ Arr. Caponegro
Symphony No. 15 in G Major IV. Finale — W. A. Mozart/ Arr. Dackow

LaGrange Symphony Youth Orchestra
Dance of the Iscariot — Kirt Mosier
Toss the Feathers — Sean O’Loughlin
Themes from the Moldau — Smetana/ Arr. Frost
Dreams of Midsummer Night — Richard Meyer

Combined Orchestras
Turkey in the Straw — Arr. Duncan

From the handed out program, to the final bow, this concert was well put together and harmonious. Both groups were individually advanced.

For the grand finale both groups combined on stage to play Turkey in the Straw. It was great to see LSYO director Michael Giel sit in on this number. String Ensemble director, and conductor of this finale piece, Sam Lee, dressed in a handsome white tuxedo complete with white Stetson. The combined group performance was a rousing and fun partnership and received a standing ovation!

Photos

Lots of photos have already been shared via the LSO Facebook page. You can visit that page HERE. Below are also a few photos from the night.