The South Carolina Philharmonic Youth, Repertory and String Orchestras will perform Sunday, February 4, 2018, 3:30 PM at the Koger Center for the Arts.
Highlights of the most advanced orchestra – the Youth Orchestra - include first violinist and high school senior Jesse Kaiser conducting the flashy Overture from Russlan and Ludmilla by Glinka. Jessie observed and played for the world renowned Conductors Institute of South Carolina this past summer. The Youth Orchestra will also present opera arias by Lehar and Gounod, and will feature soprano Sun-Joo Oh. “Sunny” has performed all over the world, is a full professor of voice at East Tennessee State University, received her doctorate from USC, and is the wife of Youth Orchestra Music Director Neil Casey. The performance will conclude with Holst’s magical “Jupiter” from his Planets Suite.
For the first time in its history, the Repertory Orchestra - the intermediate level ensemble of the three Youth Orchestras - will perform a movement of a major classical symphony in its original format. Schubert’s Symphony No. 8, also known as the “Unfinished,” was intended by the composer to be difficult, and is quite a feat for an orchestra of this age group to perform. Conductor Hayden Denesha considers it a testament to the dedication and talent of his group.
The beginning level ensemble, which is strings only, will be led by conductor Meredith Miller and joined by six local orchestra teachers and private teachers to perform side-by-side on “John Henry,” an American Folk Song arranged by Carrie Lane Gruselle. The Strings Orchestra will also perform a traditional chorale by Haydn, a charming pizzicato piece that is entirely plucked, and a majestic processional.
Founded in 1964 as an educational extension of the South Carolina Philharmonic (SCP), the S.C. Philharmonic Youth Orchestras (SCPYO) offer exceptional orchestral playing experience for young people throughout the Midlands. Each year approximately 200 students participate in three orchestras, comprised of the most talented young musicians in the Midlands. Membership in the SCPYO program is open to students throughout the state, ages 8 through high school, by audition.
The South Carolina Philharmonic entertains, educates, enriches and excites diverse audiences through live symphonic music.
