Category: “Spotlight” Newsletter

“The staff lines on the page are merely music’s instrument in connecting us all on a deeper level, enhancing the relationships already there and forging many new ones.” ~Lauryn Klinger, violist and 2023 MYSO graduate. At MYSO, the staff lines on the musicians’ pages connected us all during our Play Your Part fundraising campaign. Our

by Michelle Hoffman Enjoy conversations with two more members of the 2023 Belgium and The Netherlands Tour Orchestra. Juilliard Student Returns for Unforgettable Journey Meet French hornist Brooks Wisniewski who brought his talents to the 2023 Belgium and the Netherlands Tour alongside twelve other MYSO alumni. Brooks’s journey with MYSO spans back to fourth grade

by Michelle Hoffman Follow our amazing MYSO musicians and alums! Alumna Opens for Grammy-Nominated Artist Miki Howard Hip-Hop and R&B violinist Artaska Roberts (’05) was the featured opening act for Grammy-nominated R&B, soul, and jazz artist Miki Howard in May. Performing as Artaska Strings, this year she reached 15 million streams of her music; her

by Ron Oshima When the second-year Prelude Wind Ensemble (PWE) played the soaring melody of the theme from Jurassic Park at the recent Play Your Part all-day concert on November 5, members of the audience could not believe they were hearing a group of kids who had only been playing their instruments for one year!

by Michael Gauger It’s all because of you—parents, families, and supporters. Because of you, MYSO nurtures, challenges, and inspires young minds through the power of music —profoundly changing lives and our community for the better. There are so many ways to get involved! You can help by volunteering—to welcome our students, families, and guests at

by MYSO’s Marketing Team Enjoy conversations with three members of the 2023 Belgium and the Netherlands Tour Orchestra (and watch for more in our next issue!). Marrying Jazz and Classical by Ron Oshima Lucas LaBeau, a high school senior and talented jazz pianist at MYSO, was surprised when tour music director Carter Simmons asked him

by Ron Oshima For 30 years, Carter Simmons has been putting them all together for MYSO: the new mix of young people forming an ensemble at the start of each season—some returning, some joining the group for the first time, all with their own stories. Reflecting on his anniversary which he and MYSO are celebrating

by Emma Kunz Congratulations to all MYSO graduates—from our Progressions program grads to our 99 graduating seniors! And congratulations to our community —for all you’ve accomplished by supporting the Milwaukee Youth Symphony Orchestra! Thanks to our donors, our 2023 graduates are out in the world with musical skills—and so many other skills they’ll need to

by Michelle Hoffman Follow our amazing MYSO musicians and alums! Alum Chosen as Commencement Speaker Liam McLean (bass, ‘19), UW-Madison senior class president, was chosen to address the graduating class of 2023 as this spring’s UW commencement student speaker. Read more about Liam! Alums Win Orchestra Positions We are so excited to report that two