Fairbanks Youth Orchestras




2011-2012 Season


Welcome to the 2011-2012 Season! For our Spring concert the Youth Symphony is planning Beethoven's Battle Symphony. Beethoven wrote his "Battle Symphony," or Wellington's Victory, to commemorate the Battle of Vitoria between the English and French. The music simulates approaching opposing military regiments and contains extended passages depicting scenes of battle. Instruments on stage are arranged into an English side and French side. It incorporates older themes, such as "God Save the King" for the British, and "Marlbrough s'en va-t-en guerre" ("Marlborough Has Left for the War") for the French - the tune now known as "For He's a Jolly Good Fellow."

Also on our Spring program will be a combined piece with Youth Symphony and Concert Orchestra, selections from the well known musical Les Miserables. This fall, the Youth Symphony fielded a pit orchestra for Opera Fairbanks' production of "Red Riding Hood," with performances on November 4 and 5. Congratulations on a great show!

The Fairbanks Youth Orchestras was started by Gordon Wright and Inga-Lisa Wright in 1970 with 18 string players. This year we have more than 120 young musicians involved in the orchestras. Read more about the early FYO on our history page.The Fairbanks Youth Orchestras (FYO) is a non-profit organization under the auspices of the Fairbanks Symphony Association. Three youth ensembles make up the Fairbanks Youth Orchestras: String Orchestra, Concert Orchestra & Youth Symphony. Rehearsals and final orchestra concerts are on the University of Alaska Fairbanks campus, in the Fine Arts Complex.



The concerts are fun, and it feels like you achieved something.

Violinist, Concert Orchestra
We play great music well.

Bass player, Youth Symphony
The funniest thing that happened was when Mr. Rydlinski said last year, "Strings you're the mist on top of the water, and winds, you're the ducks."

Violinist, Concert Orchestra
I get this feeling of exhilaration, playing with so many people.

Violinist, Concert Orchestra
When I auditioned I felt nervous, of course. But I was also really excited.

Viola player, Concert Orchestra
My best memory is going to Germany and playing with all the kids from there.

Bass player, Youth Symphony
I get to learn more and meet new people. I also get more challenges.

Violist, Concert Orchestra
Orchestra is awesome!

Violinist, Concert Orchestra
I love making music and making new friends who also like music.

Violinist, Youth Symphony
My best memory of playing in this orchestra was when we played Pirates of the Caribbean and Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire at the last concert of the year.

Percussionist, Concert Orchestra
When I first auditioned I felt really shy because I didn’t know anyone.

Bass player, String Orchestra
The funniest thing that happened was when it was April Fool's Day, and we fooled our conductor.

Violinist, String Orchestra
The concerts are fun, and it feels like you achieved something.

Violinist, Concert Orchestra
Its fun!

Harpist, String Orchestra
It is so much fun! Also I learn about music and can play cool pieces.

Flutist, Youth Symphony
My best memory is playing “The Sorcerer’s Apprentice” because it was a cool piece.

Cellist, Youth Symphony
When I first auditioned I felt very nervous. I also thought it was going to be very hard, but it went smooth because I practiced.

Violinist, Youth Symphony
Our conductor makes jokes.

Cellist, Concert Orchestra
When I auditioned I felt very nervous, but after playing in the group for a few years I have realized just how much fun it is, so the audition isn’t so bad anymore.

Violinist, Youth Symphony
This is a sweet band.

Trumpet player, Concert Orchestra
When I first auditioned I felt nervous but confident. I had practiced it a lot and was ready for the audition. I was nervous about the sight-reading part, though.

Violinist, String Orchestra
I like playing with the orchestra because it is very good music and it makes me practice more.

Cellist, Youth Symphony
It was really amazing to travel to Europe and have host families, see castles, and play with different youth orchestras around the world.

Violinist, Youth Symphony
Our conductor is an awesome teacher and she makes playing really fun.

Bass player, String Orchestra
 

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No rehearsal if at 8 AM Saturday morning the temperature is -40 F or colder.

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Listen to sound clips from the Fairbanks Youth Orchestras.
YouTube videos of recent concert performances.