Charleston Symphony Orchestra Partners With Charleston Symphony Youth Orchestra

CHARLESTON, SC – The Youth Orchestra of the Lowcountry (YOLOW) is pleased to formally announce its new, official affiliation with the Charleston Symphony Orchestra (CSO). Effective immediately, in honor of this new partnership, the youth orchestra has changed its name to Charleston Symphony Youth Orchestra (CSYO). The two organizations have been working on the terms of the partnership over the last six months, phasing various elements into effect as the process unfolded.

The mission of the Charleston Symphony Youth Orchestra is to provide serious middle and high school music students within the tri-county area an opportunity to perform symphonic music with a high standard of musical excellence, supporting the experience of music education within the community and schools. The CSYO aspires to serve as the region’s premiere youth orchestra, providing excellent concert performances in the state of South Carolina and beyond, as well as enhancing its musicians’ opportunities to compete for scholarships and other advancement possibilities.

In addition to the youth orchestra name change, additional programs and activities of the formal partnership include:

1. CSYO sectional rehearsals conducted by members of the CSO.
2. At least one CSO/CSYO side-by-side concert presented each year. These concerts will be co-conducted by the CSYO Music Director and the CSO Music Director (or his designated replacement).
3. Select CSYO members may be invited to perform with the CSO for additional concerts.
4. The CSO will provide the CSYO access to the CSO music library. Additional repertoire purchased by the CSYO shall become the property of the CSO music library.

In regards to the new partnership, Jon Kidder, president of the Charleston Symphony Youth Orchestra commented that “The CSYO is excited to embark on this new chapter of its development. We are so thankful that the Charleston Symphony Orchestra will be joining us as one of our major partners in helping us meet our mission. This new relationship with the CSO ensures our CSYO musicians will receive excellent mentorship by the professional musicians of the CSO which will help them attain their own personal goals.”

Ellen Dressler Moryl, vice-president of the CSYO who is also a board member of the CSO and retired director of the City of Charleston Office of Cultural Affairs, added “it is extremely gratifying to see the Charleston Symphony Orchestra join forces with the CSYO to play a leadership role in the musical development of the Lowcountry’s gifted young musicians. I know firsthand how valuable this can be in developing the CSYO into the premiere youth orchestra in South Carolina. My own professional development as an arts administrator was significantly enhanced by my experience playing cello in the Portland (OR) Youth Philharmonic when I was in high school and college. It taught me the meaning of the word discipline and helped me prepare for my life’s work. I look forward to continuing that work in the context of serving on the boards of both the CSYO and the CSO as a strong advocate for this important partnership on behalf of our talented young musicians in the CSYO.”

Jack A. Cleghorn, music director and conductor of CSYO remarked on the new partnership with the CSO: “What an exciting time for the Charleston Symphony Youth Orchestra. Our partnership with the Charleston Symphony Orchestra is sure to provide the best possible experience for our young musicians. Our partnership provides multiple sectionals, at no cost to our students, over the course of the year as well as a yearly side by side performance. These special opportunities are indeed unique to the CSYO. Such opportunities provide unparalleled access to our outstanding local CSO musicians whilst fostering the inspiration of each and every student. In addition, our partnership will also present the opportunity to work with world renowned guest performers and conductors alike; an opportunity no young musician should miss.”

As one of the CSO leading members who will be conducting sectionals for the CSYO, Yuriy Bekker, concertmaster of the Charleston Symphony Orchestra and artistic director of the CSO Chamber Orchestra, went on to say “Whether you want to go into music or not, playing in a youth orchestra is fun, educational, musically satisfying, and an all-around great way to grow as a musician and person. I am thrilled that the CSO is involved so closely with the Charleston Symphony Youth Orchestra. Being part of a youth orchestra is essential to a young musician and a great opportunity for students to gain valuable experience. When I was in high school and a member of a youth orchestra, I was so inspired and this greatly contributed to my career in music. I am so looking forward to leading sectionals with the CSYO.”

Ken Lam, Music Director of the Charleston Symphony Orchestra commented that “I am very excited about the partnership between the Charleston Symphony and the Charleston Symphony Youth Orchestra – together we will be able to offer our young musicians unique opportunities and support, and I look forward to working with Jack and the CSYO musicians in the very near future.”

Origins of the Charleston Symphony Youth Orchestra:

The Charleston Symphony Youth Orchestra had its beginnings in the 1970s as an expansion of early string programs in the Charleston County Schools. Two string orchestras, the West Ashley Strings and the East Cooper Strings were formed to combine students in the various school programs into larger, more advanced ensembles. In the mid-1970s, the two string orchestras were combined with winds and percussion to become the Charleston County Youth Symphony led by Ruth Goldsmith, John Steffa and David Ezell.

During Ralph Rizzolo’s tenure as Executive Director of the Charleston Symphony Orchestra, the organization was taken under the wing of the CSO as the Charleston Symphony Youth Orchestra. Former conductors include Won Mo Kim, Stuart Malina, Ed Ritchen, Rex Conner and Richard Marcus. In 2007, the orchestra was renamed the Youth Orchestra of the Lowcountry and became an independent, non-profit organization in 2009. In 2014, the orchestra begins a new chapter as the Charleston Symphony Youth Orchestra (CSYO) by affiliating once again with the Charleston Symphony Orchestra.

The CSYO still maintains its independent non-profit status with a separate Board of Directors. Over the years, the orchestra has performed for the Piccolo Spoleto Festival, the South Carolina Music Educators In-Service Conference and the Royal London Heritage Music Festival. Former members have gone on to major in music at such prestigious institutions as the University of South Carolina, Boston Conservatory, Berklee College of Music and the Cincinnati Conservatory.

Charleston Symphony Orchestra

The mission of the Charleston Symphony Orchestra is to enrich the cultural life of South Carolina’s Lowcountry with high-quality performances of symphonic and chamber music and unique and engaging music education opportunities throughout the region.

For more information about the Charleston Symphony Youth Orchestra (CSYO), visit www.csyo.org. For more information about the Charleston Symphony Orchestra, visit www.charlestonsymphony.com.