CONTACT: Joyce Linehan (617) 282-2510, joyce@ashmontmedia.com

      Kristin Altman (617) 358-6015, kaltman@bu.edu

BOSTON YOUTH SYMPHONY ORCHESTRAS ANNOUNCES

BOSTON YOUTH SYMPHONY ROSTER FOR 50TH ANNIVERSARY SEASON

Roster Shows Increased Diversity as Unique, Nationally-Recognized Intensive Community Program Yields Substantial Results

Students from 120 Communities in All Six New England States, Plus Korea and Germany Earn Orchestra Places

(BOSTON - Sept. 25, 2007) Boston Youth Symphony Orchestras (BYSO) Executive Director Catherine Weiskel today announced the roster for its advanced orchestra, the Boston Youth Symphony (BYS). This year's 50th anniversary season's roster sees the BYSO achieving a significant milestone. Seven students from the BYSO's nine-year-old Intensive Community Program (ICP), which provides rigorous string instrument instruction and financial assistance for music lessons and instruments to underrepresented youth, have been accepted into BYS. (See BYS roster at the end of this release for names, hometowns and schools of all members.) This means that the percentage of African-American or Haitian-American youth musicians in the 119-member BYS has increased to substantially more than the national average in professional orchestras in the United States. According to a recent Philadelphia Inquirer article, only 1.7% of the musicians in the top five professional orchestras in the United States are African-American. A wider national survey by the American Symphony Orchestra League reported that in the professional orchestras that participated in the survey, just 2% of the players were African-American.

The process for acceptance into BYS, conducted by BYSO Music Director Federico Cortese, is competitive. The young musicians go though a series of auditions to be accepted into this group of outstanding players that performs a wide range of demanding orchestral repertoire. It is comprised of outstanding players whose technical level is highly advanced and who show strong musicianship.

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ICP started in 1999, as a way to address a lack of music training resources available to some children. A lack of high-quality string instrument training, the result of affordability issues coupled with a paucity of classical instrumental music training in schools, led to a shortage of students who could successfully audition for BYSO's orchestras. Under the direction of Bonnie Black, ICP accepts students ages 6-8, who show exceptional interest in studying stringed instruments. The program provides them with financial aid assistance for weekly music lessons, ensemble classes and instrument rental. The purpose of ICP is to bring fine music training to students who may not otherwise have access to it, enabling them to pass auditions for one of BYSO’s four orchestras. Once admitted into a BYSO orchestra, ICP students receive support in the form of tuition subsidy, weekly lessons and use of an instrument until they graduate from high school.

Said BYSO Executive Director Catherine Weiskel, "We knew it would take time to see results, but we are thrilled that nine years after starting this innovative program, we have made some phenomenal progress. All of the kids who are accepted into BYS work very hard for the opportunity."

There are a total of 71 students in the ICP, the oldest in 12th grade and the youngest in first grade. The total enrollment in the entire program of BYSO, which is competitive and done by audition, is 440, so ICP represents 16.1% of all BYSO programs. Thirty-six of ICP children have been accepted by audition in BYSO orchestras: the aforementioned seven in BYS, six in Repertory Orchestra, nine in Junior Repertory Orchestra, and 13 in the Young People's String Orchestra.

The BYS performs at world class venues including Symphony Hall, Sanders Theatre at Harvard University and Jordan Hall at New England Conservatory. The ensemble has collaborated with the Tanglewood Festival Chorus, Chorus pro Musica, soloists from the Boston University Opera Institute and other guest artists. Highlights of BYS' ambitious 2007/2008 season include Beethoven's Symphony No. 9 at Symphony Hall, an invitation to be a part of the Celebrity Series’ prestigious Boston Marquee series, and a special performance with world-renowned cellist Yo-Yo Ma as part of the 50th Anniversary Gala Event.

Federico Cortese, Music Director of BYSO and Conductor of BYS

Federico Cortese assumed the post of Music Director of the Boston Youth Symphony Orchestras in 1999. He joined the New England String Ensemble as Conductor in 2005 and was named Music Director in 2006. He has conducted operatic and symphonic engagements throughout the -

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United States, Australia and Europe. From 1998-2002, he served as Assistant Conductor of the Boston Symphony Orchestra under Seiji Ozawa. In addition to his annual scheduled concerts, Mr. Cortese led the Boston Symphony several times on short notice in Symphony Hall and at Tanglewood, most notably performing Beethoven's Symphony No. 9 and Puccini's Madama Butterfly. Mr. Cortese has conducted several prominent symphony orchestras, including Atlanta, Dallas, BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra, Sydney Symphony and Oslo Philharmonic. Opera engagements have included, among others, Maggio Musicale in Florence, the Spoleto Festival in Italy and the United States, the Boston Lyric Opera, the Saint Louis Opera, the Finnish National Opera, Opera Australia, and the Washington Opera. Mr. Cortese has been music coordinator and associate conductor of the Spoleto Festival in Italy. He also served as Assistant Conductor to Robert Spano at the Brooklyn Philharmonic and to Daniele Gatti at the Orchestra dell'Accademia Nazionale di Santa Cecilia in Rome. Mr. Cortese studied composition and conducting at the Conservatorio di Santa Cecilia in Rome and subsequently studied at the Hochschule für Musik in Vienna. In addition, he has been a conducting fellow at the Tanglewood Music Center. Mr. Cortese also studied literature and humanities and holds a law degree from La Sapienza University in Rome.

Bonnie Black, Artistic Director of ICP

Bonnie Black has been a conductor with BYSO since 1998. She brings her experience as director, conductor, and master teacher for many successful programs, including the Harlem School of the Arts, the Harlem Children's Orchestra, and the Arcady Youth Orchestra. Honored through the years for her innovative teaching methodologies, she is also on the faculty of Boston University's College of Fine Arts, and maintains an active involvement mentoring and training teachers in string pedagogy and methods.

BYS concerts in 2007-08 50th Anniversary Season:

Sunday, Oct. 7, 2007, 3 pm Symphony Hall, Boston

BEETHOVEN Symphony No. 9

Kendra Colton, soprano

Paula Murrihy, mezzo-soprano

Richard Cox, tenor

Aaron Engebreth, baritone

Chorus pro Musica

Jeffrey Rink, Music Director

This concert will also feature performances by two other BYSO orchestras – Repertory Orchestra and Junior Repertory Orchestra.

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Sunday, January 20, 2008, 3 pm Sanders Theatre at Harvard University, Cambridge

MOZART Cosí fan tutte

opera buffa in two acts, K. 588

Jessica Tarnish, Fiordiligi

Jossie Pérez, Dorabella

Aaron Engebreth, Guglielmo

Steven Sanders, Ferrando

Vaélrie Arboit, Despina

Eric Downs, Don Alfonso

Semi-staged.

Sunday, March 9, 2008 3 pm, Symphony Hall, Boston

BERNSTEIN/Foss Prelude, Fugue and Riffs

BERNSTEIN/Bennett West Side—Variants

MAHLER Symphony No. 1

Richard Stoltzman, Clarinet

Sunday, May 18, 2008 3 pm, Symphony Hall, Boston

DVORÁK Symphony No. 8

DVORÁK Cello Concerto in B minor

Yo-Yo Ma, Cello

This Gala concert event will also feature performances by BYSO’s Young People’s String Orchestra (YPSO) and the Intensive Community Program (ICP).

Sunday, June 15, 2008 3 pm, Sanders Theatre at Harvard University, Cambridge

ROBERT BEASER BYSO Commission (world premiere)

TBA Concerto Competition Winner

Robert Beaser has been commissioned by the BYSO to create a piece for the 50th anniversary season. Beaser is Professor and Chairman of Composition of the Juilliard School and a BYSO alumnus. The Repertory Orchestra and Junior Repertory Orchestra will also perform.

BYS will conclude its season in June 2008 with a concert at Gewandhaus in Leipzig, Germany, one of the finest concert halls in the world, as part of its 19th international tour.

The other three BYSO Orchestras - Repertory Orchestra, Junior Repertory Orchestra, and Young People's String Orchestra, as well as ICP, will also perform several additional concerts during the anniversary season. For complete schedules, including ticket information, visit www.BYSOWEB.org or call (617) 353-3348.

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JPMorgan Chase

The BYSO 50th Anniversary Season is made possible in part by JP Morgan Chase Foundation. JPMorgan Chase Foundation's legacy of supporting education, the arts and diversity inspired the sponsorship of BYSO's 50th Anniversary season. JPMorgan Chase shares a common mission of a commitment to excellence, access to the arts and investing in and inspiring youth.

About Boston Youth Symphony Orchestras

Since its inception in 1958 at Boston University, the Boston Youth Symphony Orchestras (formerly the Greater Boston Youth Symphony Orchestras, or GBYSO) continues to achieve the highest artistic standards, and remains committed to musical excellence. Today, the BYSO is widely regarded as one of the country's finest youth orchestras and is recognized nationally as a model music and arts education organization.

Boston Youth Symphony 2007/2008 Roster

Isaac Julien, Amherst MA, Amherst Regional High School, Horn

George Cheng, Andover MA, Andover High School, Violin

Alexandra Morgan-Welch, Andover MA, Andover High School, Viola

Miki Nagahara, Andover MA, Andover West Middle School, Violin

Sasha Scolnik-Brower, Andover MA, Doherty Middle School, Cello

Madeleine Tucker, Andover MA, Phillips Andover Academy, Cello

Renée Delgado, Arlington MA, Arlington High School, Cello

Miranda Forman, Arlington MA, Arlington High School, Viola

Mary Rab, Arlington MA, Arlington High School, Viola

Carl Whatley, Ashby MA North Middlesex Regional High School, Oboe

Melody Morris, Bedford MA, Bedford High School, Bassoon

Jerway Chang. Belmont MA, Belmont High School, Violin

Enchi Chang, Belmont MA, Chenery Middle School, Violin

Katharine Dooley, Belmont MA, Belmont High School, Cello

Narissa Gogos, Belmont MA, Belmont High School Bassoon

Nathaniel Meyer, Belmont MA, Belmont High School, Trumpet

Tiemae Roquerre, Belmont MA, Belmont High School, Bass

Anna Stromer, Belmont MA, Belmont High School, Viola

Ari Umans, Belmont MA, Belmont High School, Violin

Justin Burack, Boxborough MA, homeschool, Violin

Daniel Buckley, Braintree MA, Archbishop Williams High School, Trumpet

Jessica Ko, Brookline MA, Brookline High School, Viola

Metok Hughes-Levine, Cambridge MA, Cambridge Rindge & Latin School, Violin

Elliott Perko, Carlisle MA, Concord-Carlisle High School, Bass

Eric Auerbach, Centerville MA, Cape Cod Academy, Violin

Heather Pulkowski, Chelmsford MA, Chelmsford High School, Flute

Eileen Coyne, Chepachet RI, Ponaganset High School, Horn

Cara Bergantino, Chestnut Hill MA, Brookline High School, Viola

Kenny Kang, Chestnut Hill MA, Brookline High School, Clarinet

Chlöe Potter O'Connell, Chestnut Hill MA, Concord Academy, Violin

Seth Ainsworth, Colrain MA, Mohawk Trail Regional School, Violin

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Abe McWilliams, Durham NH, homeschool, Violin

Gabrielle Purcell, Duxbury MA, Duxbury High School, Violin

Sangwon Lee, E. Walpole MA, Walpole High School, Clarinet

Adrienne Rosenblatt, Gorham ME, Gorham High School, Percussion

Kendra Lenz, Hampden ME. Bangor High School, Violin

Marissa Dickson, Harvard MA, Bromfield High School, Cello

Angelica Cristello, Hingham MA, Milton Academy, Cello

Ifeanyi Chukwujama, Hyde Park MA, Thayer Academy, Bass

Gloria Ojimba, Hyde Park MA, Boston Latin School, Bass

Samantha Nam-Krane, Jamaica Plain MA, Boston Latin Academy, Bass

Jason Gorelick, Jamestown RI, North Kingstown High School, Violin

Stephanie Atwood, Lexington MA, Belmont Day School, Violin

Hyun Ji Boo, Lexington MA, Lexington High School, Viola

Stephen Chang, Lexington MA, Lexington High School, Viola

Lydia Ding, Lexington MA, Lexington High School, Violin

Maura Evans, Lexington MA, Lexington High School, Bass

Laura Green, Lexington MA, Lexington High School, Bass

Rachel Iba, Lexington MA, Lexington High School, Violin

Charlotte Morgan, Lexington MA, Lexington High School Viola

Andrew Olsen, Lexington MA, Lexington High School, Viola

Timothy Gocklin, Manchester NH, Manchester, Memorial High School, Oboe

Matthew Sinno, Mansfield MA, Mansfield High School, Viola

Benjamin Dobkin, Marblehead MA, Marblehead High School, Violin

Stephanie Jensen, Medfield MA, Medfield High School, Violin

Paige E. McGrath, Mendon MA, Nipmuc Regional High School, Horn

Christoph Worm, Mering Bavaria, Violin

Sarah (Seo Hee) Min, Merrimack NH St. Mark's School, Violin

Jenny (Seo Yoen) Min, Merrimack NH, Cello

Timothy Maxwell, Middleborough MA, Middleborough High School, Percussion

Allan Jean-Baptiste, Milton MA, Milton Academy, Viola

Kethlaine Michaud, Milton MA, Milton High School, Bass

Charles Rosmarin, Milton MA, Millis High School, Percussion

Hillary Erb, Nashua NH, Nashua High School, Bassoon

Ambica Sastry, Nashua NH, Nashua High School South, Violin

Meagan Magnoni, Natick MA, homeschool, Percussion

Michael Smalky, Natick MA, Natick High School, Cello

Sarah Shin, Natick MA Walnut Hill School, Flute

Ethan Bauer, Needham MA, Rivers School, Violin

Paul Lueders, Needham MA, Needham High School, Oboe

Brendan Ryan, Needham MA, Needham High School, Flute

Stephen Wagner, Needham MA, Milton Academy, Violin

Elizabeth Cooke, Newton MA Newton North High School , Violin

Samuel Fisher, Newton MA, Maimonides School, Cello

Taichi Fukumura, Newton MA, Newton South High School, Violin

Carolyn Ranti, Newton MA, Newton North High School, Cello

Jessica Rucinski, Newton MA, Newton South High School, Piano

Emily Saly. Newton MA, Newton South High School, Viola

Emily Seidman, Newton MA, Thayer Academy, Horn

Calla Tse, Newton, MA, Newton South High School, Violin

Sarah Sklar, Newton Lower Falls MA, Newton South High School, Bass

Amalia Lieberman, Newton Upper Falls MA, Newton South High School Viola

Pat Bergerson, Norfolk MA, King Phillip Regional High School, Trumpet

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Alanna Tonetti-Tieppo, North Attleboro MA, Walnut Hill School, Violin

Emily Eckart Norton MA, Norton High School Horn

Zachary T. Sheets, Norwich VT, Hanover High School (NH). Flute

Colin Mainella, Plaistow NH, Timberlane Regional High School, Trumpet

Douglas Kanner, Plymouth MA, homeschool, Oboe

Gréta Kristkjánsdóttir Ásgeirsson, Reading MA, Reading Memorial High School, Harp

Gerald Pierre, Roxbury MA, Bass

Caroline Manela, Sharon MA, Sharon High School, Horn

Avery Yen, Sharon MA, Sharon High School, Cello

Ingrid Yen, Sharon MA, Sharon High School, Violin

Evan Perry, Somerset MA, Somerset High School, Viola

Patrick Lim, Southborough MA, St. Mark's School, Clarinet

Andrew Salo, Sterling MA, Groton School, Violin

Liam Sheehy, Tewksbury MA, Tewksbury Memorial High School, Tuba

Victoria Stutz, Trumbull CT, Milton Academy, Cello

Sofia Basile, Watertown MA, Watertown Middle School, Violin

Elizabeth Bloom, Wellesley MA, Milton Academy , Percussion

Laurel Caplan, Wellesley MA, Wellesley High School, Clarinet

Lucy Caplan, Wellesley MA, Concord Academy, Viola

Priscilla Livingston, Wellesley MA, Wellesley High School, Bass

Anna Teng, Wellesley MA, Rivers School, Violin

Kelsey Woerner, Wellesley MA, Wellesley High School, Violin

Cecile Zhu, Wellesley MA, Wellesley High School, Bassoon

Miguel Cutiongo, West Hartford CT, William H. Hall High School, Cello

Emilie Campanelli, Westboro MA, homeschool, Violin

Hillary Ditmars, Westford MA, Westford Academy, Violin

Kenta (Chris) Kawasaki, Westford MA, Westford Academy, Violin

Jessica Lin, Westford MA, Westford Academy, Violin

Eileen Liu, Westford MA, Westford Academy, Violin

Rylie Harrod, Westminster MA, Walnut Hill School, Cello

Misha Checkovich, Weston MA, Weston High School, Violin

Charlotte Malin, Westwood MA, Westwood High School, Violin

Rachel Plumb, Whitinsville MA, Whitinsville Christian School, Violin

Johanna Eidmann, Winchester MA, Winchester High School, Viola

Carol Fraser, Winchester MA, Winchester High School, Cello

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