Youth orchestra, symphony will play together in concert

1/28/2005

Enthusiasm meets experience on Sunday when the Toledo Youth Orchestra and the Toledo Symphony team up to present a 4:30 p.m. side-by-side concert in the Toledo Museum of Art Peristyle.

Expect the stage to overflow with musicians and good feelings. Also expect the rafters to shake when some 150 instrumentalists blast into the finale of Stravinsky's "Firebird Suite."

"It's easy to forget that these concerts are a great opportunity for both sides," said Toledo Symphony percussionist and personnel manager Keith McWatters, a former Toledo Orchestra member.

"When you sit the kids down next to us professionals, it's clear what they get. But the truth is that it's just as great as a professional to be able to sit next to these exuberant youths. It reminds us where we came from, and that's a refreshing experience," he said.

Toledo Youth Orchestra conductor Michael Moore sees the concert as an opportunity for his students to see how professionals assume responsibility for the musical product.

"Working with professionals is a cooperative effort. They take charge of the solo lines. But students have to be shown, it's a learning thing," said Miller.

In the past, these concerts have been run on a shoestring budget and with barely enough time to run through the music before the performance. This year is different, however. The groups will rehearse together for a full 2 1/2 hours. During that time they will not only solve technical problems, but the students will get to see what it's like to work in a professional orchestra, where problems are expected to be solved in an instant.

Conductors Chelsea Tipton II and Michael Moore lead the combined Toledo Symphony and Toledo Youth Orchestra in a side-by-side concert at 4:30 p.m. Sunday in the Toledo Museum of Art Peristyle.

Contact Steven Cornelius at:scornelius@theblade.com

or 419-724-6152.