Alex Barstow • Boston Youth Symphony • Viola

I live for Sundays. On Sunday, BYSO meets for six hours to rehearse one of our five annual concerts. Being part of this musical community is a thrill. Fed connects the music to topics in literature and history to help us understand the context of the notes on the page. Learning Mozart in the correct manner and style is a challenge more intricate than reading and analyzing a Shakespearean play. Yet, BYSO is not just about making music. It is an unparalleled social world. My friends there share my passions, as reflected by our spirited discussions and arguments, mostly arguments. BYSO enriches my life by contributing to my musical development and, I hope, my compassion as a person. Music is more than an extracurricular activity-- it is a fundamental component of my existence.

Jeff Brown • Boston Youth Symphony • Flute

BYSO is awesome. More than anything, they have afforded us great opportunities such as concerts that are as rewarding as they are challenging, the chance to meet interesting and talented people, and the experience of working with renowned teachers. Peace, I'll miss you all.

Sarah Chamberlain • Boston Youth Symphony• Flute

Thank you, everyone, for the friends, trials, help and art. Oh, and the BYSO cupcakes--delicious!

Jennifer Chen • Boston Youth Symphony • Piano

(G)BYSO has been one of the most amazing and enriching experiences of my life.  I deeply appreciate what the conductors, administrators, coaches, and crazy fellow musicians have taught me over the past two years (amidst Starbucks and Jamba Juice runs), and my only regret is that I did not begin sooner.  Thank you to everyone for making it impossible for me to imagine life without (G)BYSO!

Elizabeth Connolly • Boston Youth Symphony • Violin

Dear BYSO,

      Thank you so much for all the amazing times, memories, music, and friends. I know the last 4 years wouldn't have been the same without you- I'm really going to miss everyone next year. Thanks for making me a better musician, making me laugh and maybe even making me cry (what? It was Brahms!) I know I'm going to miss you-

   Love,

      Liz

P.S. Good luck next year seniors- you guys are the BEST.

Nicholas Fitton • Boston Youth Symphony • Flute

BYSO has provided me with friends, wonderful music, and the experience of a lifetime. Thank you to all the BYSO coaches and conductors! You have helped us to make music live and breathe at BU on Sundays. A special thanks to my teacher, Judy Grant! We have done so much together and it's only the beginning. A huge thanks to my parents as well and to my grandmother. You have nurtured my passion for music and helped me become the person I am today. Thanks to all. I'll come visit soon!

Julia Glenn • Boston Youth Symphony • Violin

When I first joined BYSO—or GBYSO, as it was back in the day—I was twelve years old with buck teeth and big bifocals.  Pretty much the only thing I had down about orchestral playing was the tuning part, and not even that had a 100 percent success rate.  I spent two years in Rep and four in Senior, and the ways in which I have changed personally and artistically are considerable.  BYSO has given me priceless opportunities and resources, from the top-notch concert hall reservations to my open and enthusiastic peers—not to mention the insightful and life-philosophy-changing-moment-producing coaches and conductors.  I will carry everything I have learned with me, whether I dig into a measure of Mozart or find myself faced with the task of flying half-way across the world and waltzing into a concert hall to lead an orchestra.  I will miss you, BYSO!

Jeffrey Heim • Repertory Orchestra • Trombone

I had a great time playing trombone in the Repertory Orchestra this year, and the music we played was unforgettable.  I wish I had joined BYSO earlier!

Elizabeth Kane • Boston Youth Symphony • French Horn

BYSO has been one of the best experiences of my life.  It’s where I found true friends and where I really decided that I would pursue a career in music.  It has truly made me who I am and I would never trade my experiences for anything.

John Lambert • Boston Youth Symphony • Trombone

I had a great year in BYSO- the repertoire has been great, rehearsals were fun, and camp was a blast. I don't have much to say, except that I want to thank everyone for the experience- the players, Ben Hires, Leah, Mark, Fed, and all of the coaches, especially John Faieta. BYSO made this one of the best years of my life, and made me a better musician.

Thanks everybody!

Daniel Lelchuk • Boston Youth Symphony • Cello

I have been a member of BYSO for a number of years, in various orchestras. Besides all of the aspects of the organization that are well known, such as the extremely high level of music making, commitment from the players, and professionalism of the conductors, BYSO, especially my time spent in the Boston Youth Symphony, has been a place to meet very interesting people and sustain friendships that are, in some ways, richer and more fulfilling than those with friends outside of BYSO. Being able to discuss in depth a nuance of, for example, a Karl Böhm recording of Don Juan versus that of Wilhelm Furtwängler, and then all the usual social issues, is something I cherish. Rehearsing at such a high and detailed level a movement from a Mozart symphony with Federico is something I doubt I will encounter any time soon. This tapestry of experience-- musical, professional, and personal--is something that I believe is truly unique to the BYSO.

Alicia Maloney • Boston Youth Symphony • Oboe

Jeff Brown once said "BYSO is awesome." After this year, I'd have to agree. I love (G)BYSO (and especially the oboe section).

Rebekah Meyer • Boston Youth Symphony • Violin

Over the course of the last six years, through bus-rides to camp and detailed rehearsals, during breaks at the snack table and post-concert jubilation, I have valued the vision and dedication of the members of this organization. I have learned an unforgettable lesson about the roles that individuals and groups play in creating art.

Trevor Roche • Boston Youth Symphony • Clarinet

Playing clarinet with the BYSO this year under Federico Cortese and Mark Miller has been incredible. I am taking away amazing experiences, memories and friendships, and although I do not plan to study music exclusively in college, I will keep the genuine appreciation for classical music and orchestral playing that I have gained this year. Thanks BYSO!

Maxwell Silva • Boston Youth Symphony • Violin

[G]BYSO has been one of the single most profound and positive experiences of my life.  The growing caffeine addiction from the Starbucks across the street, the awesome friends who make me wish every day was tour so I could spend it with them, and how Fed & Co. taught me to express the fact that I love music more than anything else - it all makes me relish every minute of every Sunday I spent, and I only wish I had started sooner than last year. Thanks!!

Caroline Tahk • Boston Youth Symphony • Violin

Thank you BYSO for all the great experiences I've had. I feel very grateful for Fed and Mark, and all the other coaches who led us in our musical maturation. Without BYSO, I couldn't have had such valuable musical experiences. Thank you Ben and all the other BYSO staff, and thanks to all my friends for everything! Good luck Class of 2007!

Lija Treibergs • Boston Youth Symphony • Oboe

I have given approximately 5 years, 185 Sundays, 1200 hours, and the lives of many many reeds to BYSO.  Why? Well because BYSO has given me 5 years, 185 days, and 1200 hours of wonderful music , 25 incredible concerts, 1 unforgettable Verdi Requiem, 12 warm Spanish days, 5 well written haikus, 1 funny story about a turkey pigeon, 1 Ben Hires, 4 fantastic conductors,  the most amazing oboe section (I love you), and countless friendships and priceless memories. Thank you BYSO and everyone involved for giving me the greatest experience of my life. I will miss you so much.

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