Hendersonville – As fall begins, new programs are on the agenda with the Hendersonville Symphony Youth Orchestra to encourage talented youth and children to help them grow with more musical knowledge. The HSYO has recently launched the HYSO Sonata Ensemble and the HSYO Allegro Ensemble. The Sonata Ensemble is for advanced beginning players with one to two years of playing experience, while the HSYO Allegro Ensemble is an intermediate-level string orchestra designed for players with two to four years of experience. Both ensembles are conducted by Andrea Jackson, a talented musician who served as Orchestra Director for 22 years at Rugby Middle School. The Sonata Ensemble rehearses on Tuesday afternoons from September through May from 4:15 PM to 5:45 PM at the WNC Music Academy, while the Allegro Ensemble rehearses on Monday afternoons during the same months at the Bo Thomas Auditorium of Blue Ridge Community College.
The Hendersonville Symphony Youth Orchestra Programs provide symphonic orchestra coaching and performance opportunities for accomplished students at the middle school level and up to age 21. Area school-aged string, wind, and percussion players rehearse together weekly. These ensembles serve as a perfect supplement to school and private instruction. Students enrolled in the Youth Orchestra programs benefit from professional coaching to advance their skills and techniques as they prepare for a full orchestra performance at the end of the year. Students are accepted by audition only.
Vocal instruction for children and youth in grades 2 and older can be found with the Hendersonville Symphony Children’s Chorus. This non-auditioned ensemble encourages and promotes a love of singing. The HSCC accepts members twice a year—in September and January—and provides several concerts a year. There will be a concert on Saturday, December 7, with the HSYO and with the adult orchestra on December 8. Kelli Mullinix has led the chorus since 2016. This will be her final season with the choir as Makayla Melton assumes full leadership in January.
Rehearsals begin Tuesday, September 10 at Grace Lutheran Church in Hendersonville. Last day for registration is September 17th. Singers must attend rehearsal to sign up. Tuition is $60.There are two ensembles 2nd – 5th, led by Kelli, which rehearses from 4 – 4:45 and 5th – 12th led by Makayla and Kelli, from 5 – 6. If you have any questions email Kelli at mullinexkelli@hotmail.com
Hendersonville Symphony Season
John Young Shik Concklin, the conductor, has an exciting season planned. Season Passes are currently available and include many added benefits. As a Season Pass holder, in addition to three masterworks concerts and the Holiday concert, you get complimentary entry to all Youth concerts. Also included is the exclusive Bring a Guest program, allowing you to share the magic of classical music by inviting a friend to join you at any one of the Masterworks concerts at no additional cost. For assistance with ticket orders, call 828-697-5884.
Concklin wil kick off the season with well-loved musical pieces on September 28. Guest artist Brian Hsu performed Rachmaninoff’s 3rd Piano Concerto in D Minor, known as an extremely difficult piece to perform, followed by Beethoven’s Pastorale Symphony. The concert starts at 3:00 PM in the afternoon at Blue Ridge Community College. On November 9, the concert featured “Three M’s”: Mozart, Montgomery, and Mendelssohn. The winner of the “Be the DJ” raffle collaborated with the Music Director to bring together this concert featuring Mozart’s dark and enigmatic Symphony No. 40 in G minor, Mendelssohn’s jubilant Italian Symphony, and Jessie Montgomery’s playful piece for strings, Strum.
On December 8, the holiday season will kick off with favorite hits, including Sleigh Ride, Nutcracker, Polar Express, Festive Sounds of Hanukkah, and many more popular tunes to get the audience in the mood for Christmas. In March, a Family Concert will feature music that the whole family will enjoy, such as Peter and the Wolf, alongside pieces from Indiana Jones and the Avengers. The season finale will culminate with the epic music of Tchaikovsky’s Swan Lake, featuring Mary Irwin, Concertmaster. The concert will begin with a nostalgic piece by Margaret Brouwer and will feature this year’s Young Artist Competition Winner. The Young Artist Competition is open to musicians in grades 9-12 who live in surrounding counties in North Carolina or who are members in good standing of the Hendersonville Symphony Youth Orchestra. Awards for the winners include First Place: $1000, Second Place: $600, and Third Place: $400.
Be sure to sign up now for a delightful season of musical favorites with the Hendersonville Symphony.