Columbus Symphony Youth Orchestra Makes Carnegie Hall Debut Tonight

The Columbus Symphony Youth Orchestra (CSYO) and the Cincinnati Symphony Youth Orchestra have collaborated to present a concert showcase of both youth orchestras at NYC's Carnegie Hall. Tonight, June 13, at 8pm, CSO Associate Conductor Peter Stafford Wilson and more than 75 youth musicians from central Ohio will perform the second half of the program in Carnegie's Stern Auditorium, presenting Brahms' Academic Festival Overture, Liebermann's Nocturne for Orchestra, and Stravinsky's Firebird Suite. This will be the first time in the history of the CSYO to have a group perform at Carnegie Hall.

Just prior to leaving for NYC, the Columbus Symphony Youth Orchestra will hold a free Big Apple Send-Off concert at the Alum Creek Park North Amphitheatre (221 W. Main St., Westerville) on Wednesday, June 10, at 6:30pm as part of the Westerville Sounds of Summer concert series. The youth orchestra will perform their Carnegie Hall program at this concert.

These concerts are made possible through the generous support of American Electric Power, All Life Foundation, The Dassel Family Memorial, JP Morgan Chase & Co., Nationwide, The Ohio State University, and the Ohio Arts Council.

About the Columbus Symphony Youth Orchestra

Central Ohio's aspiring young instrumentalists in grades 9-12 perform in this ensemble directed by Peter Stafford Wilson, Associate Conductor of the Columbus Symphony Orchestra. The 97-member orchestra consists of students from 36 high schools in more than 20 counties. Members are selected annually through a competitive audition process held in the spring.

Sponsored by the Columbus Symphony Orchestra, the Youth Orchestra emphasizes the performance of standard orchestral literature with special emphasis on American music under the leadership of a professional conductor with regular advice from coaches from the Columbus Symphony. Weekly rehearsals during the school year are carried out under professional standards, and the members are expected to take private lessons and maintain leadership responsibilities in their school ensembles.

About conductor Peter Stafford Wilson

Peter Stafford Wilson is celebrating his 25th season with the Columbus Symphony Orchestra, having been appointed assistant conductor in 1990, and promoted to associate conductor in 1995. He has led the CSO in subscription concerts, festivals at the Southern Theatre, Pops events, and many education, outreach, and tour activities. Wilson has led the Columbus Symphony Youth Orchestra to exciting new heights, including the China tour of June 2005 and European tours in 1998 and 1999. In addition to the CSYO, Wilson also leads the Columbus All-City Orchestra and the Youth Orchestra Summer Pops.

In addition, Wilson leads the Westerville Symphony and serves as music director and conductor of the Springfield Symphony. This season he also assumes the position of principal conductor of the Tulsa Ballet where he will conduct three major productions.

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