Category: “Spotlight” Newsletter

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

by Erica Mendoza We‘re excited to introduce you to three members of the 2023 Belgium and The Netherlands Tour Orchestra. Senior Symphony percussionist Daniel Grady had no idea he would enjoy composing music until he applied for the John Downey Creation Project. Daniel first heard about the opportunity when he saw that one of his

by Ron Oshima Former MYSO bassist Olivia Reyes (‘17) was selected as one of two winners of a Chicago Symphony Orchestra (CSO) Fellowship, announced on May 8. The CSO Fellowship program welcomes musicians from populations that have traditionally been underrepresented in American symphony orchestras. Early September was to be the official start date, but Olivia

by Michael Gauger We’re in the final weeks of our 2022-23 season at MYSO—and what a season it’s been, with your support! Thanks to you, we’ve served 900 students with participatory music education—an experience that they, and their families, needed more than ever, after three years of pandemic isolation. You’ve put us on track to