MYSO Music Director Retires After 50 Year Conducting Career

Milwaukee Youth Symphony Orchestra (MYSO) announces the retirement of Ronald Melby after 48 years as a MYSO conductor. MYSO is honoring him at a series of events which began in January when its Senior Symphony saluted him at its annual Founders Concert. The organization will continue its celebration of his career May 17-19, 2013, the weekend of his final conducting performance, with Friday night festivities with MYSO students and families, and a public celebration and concert on Sunday afternoon:

Melby's Melodic MYSO Finale
Sunday, May 19, 3:00 PM
Shattuck Auditorium, Carroll University, 218 N. East Ave., Waukesha

The concert will feature performances by MYSO's String Orchestras North & Central and Percussion Ensemble, as well as Mr. Melby's final performance with the Philharmonia.

Tickets: $12 & $10 (students/seniors age 60+), available at the door, with discounts through the MYSO office until May 15. Please call 414-267-2906 for more information.

A reception honoring Mr. Melby will immediately follow. Attendees are asked to RSVP for this reception at 414-267-2906.

After graduating from the University of Wisconsin in 1963, Ron Melby was immediately hired by the West Allis School District as an orchestra director in the district's K-8 schools. Soon after beginning his career in West Allis, he became the orchestra director at Nathan Hale High School where he taught until his retirement in 1995. At age 25, Mr. Melby was recruited by MYSO's (then Music For Youth or "MFY") founder Milton Weber to conduct the organization's third orchestra, the "Training Orchestra." In the 1985-86 season, he began conducting the orchestra's second full symphony orchestra, now known as MYSO's Philharmonia. With Carter Simmons, Mr. Melby is the Music Director of that ensemble.

Mr. Melby has shaped the lives of literally thousands--generations--of musicians through his tireless efforts and boundless enthusiasm for youth and music. One such musician is Executive Director Linda Edelstein: "I had the honor of working with Mr. Melby while at Nathan Hale High School and in MFY. His dedication to excellence, coupled with his devotion to his students, make him a wonderful teacher and mentor. I fondly recall the many rehearsals he led of Beethoven's Symphony No. 1 and Schubert's Unfinished Symphony. It was his passion for education that instilled in me my life-long commitment to a career in music. I was beyond delighted to join MYSO and find Mr. Melby still teaching and mentoring the students today in the same selfless way he always has."

"Ron Melby has been vital to the success of the MYSO program," says Carter Simmons. "He has always demanded high musical standards and brings to the podium a thorough knowledge of how to teach each instrument. He has shaped the very important role of MYSO's second symphony orchestra and its importance to the organization and has played a pivotal role in Philharmonia's success. He has been helpful to the entire MYSO staff, and so supportive to me as a conductor and as a friend."

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