Students selected for Youth Symphony Orchestra
Destinne Manuel and Bella Delawder have been selected to perform in the Johnstown Symphony Youth Orchestra.
The Johnstown Symphony Youth Orchestra is an opportunity for young musicians to hone their talent, perform and build life-long musical connections that will foster a deep appreciation for music long after their high school careers are completed.
The Johnstown Symphony Youth Orchestra is an ensemble of the region’s most promising young musicians performing music from the standard orchestra repertoire and beyond. Inspired by a rich curriculum, Manuel and Delawder will refine their skills in an environment that fosters a love of music and molds them into players who listen to each other, develop discipline and collaborate as a close-knit community.
Manuel said she learned of the opportunity through friends who have also participated in the youth program. “The opportunity came to me from my friends from around the county. They told me they were missing a tuba player, so I auditioned for the part.” Manuel was also selected to play in a quartet chamber, which includes musicians who play trumpet, trombone and french horn.
Delawder, who plays the French horn, also learned of the Johnstown Symphony Youth Orchestra through fellow musicians she has come to know through festivals and concerts. She said while the audition process was challenging, she is honored to be among the less than 50 musicians chosen to perform in this prestigious program. “The audition process consists of us choosing two pieces of our own that are complete opposites of each other and afterwards you play parts of the pieces you’ll play that fall. I wanted to do this because music is my passion,” she said.
Katie Howard, director of bands at Meyersdale, said she is thrilled to have two students earn positions in the Johnstown Symphony Youth Orchestra. “I’m honored to have these two girls representing our band program as members of the JSYO. They both work very hard to improve as musicians every time they walk through the doors of our band room and their dedication and hard work shows,” she explained. “I’m excited for them as they embark on this new endeavor and get to rub shoulders with other exceptional musicians in our area as they participate this year. We’re all cheering for you from here, girls!”
Both talented students will study under the guidance of David Anderson, JSYO music director. He also serves on the faculty of the University of Pittsburgh and Seton Hill University.
Performances will be held at the Pasquerilla Performing Arts Center on the campus of the University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown campus. Musical pieces that will be performed this year include: Williams, “Harry’s Wondrous World”;
Stravinsky, “Rite of Spring”; Williams, “Jurassic Park”; Respighi, “Pines of Rome”; Carmina Burana, (“O Fortuna”); Antonio Vivaldi, “La Folia”; Thomas Cabaniss, “Come to Play”; and Thomas Cabaniss, “Drumlines.”