LYSO
Lubbock Youth Symphony to perform Spring Concert on March 9th

The Lubbock Youth Symphony Orchestra (LYSO) concludes its twentieth season with its Spring Concert on Sunday, March 9, at 3 p.m. in the Civic Center Theater. The Lubbock Youth Symphony Orchestra was founded in the fall of 1988 by two LSO members, Patrice Barnett and Janeen Holmes Gilliam. The first orchestra consisted of 54 members and was conducted by the LSO Music Director and Conductor, Gurer Aykal. The LYSO program is now made up of three auditioned performance groups: the LYSO Symphony Orchestra, an advanced full orchestra; the Philharmonic Orchestra, an intermediate full orchestra; and the Prelude Strings, a string training orchestra. Together, these ensembles maintain a total membership of nearly 200 young musicians. The LYSO program membership is made up of musically talented students throughout the South Plains Region.

The LYSO Program gives two formal concerts each season, one in the fall and one in the spring. As part of the Spring Concert there will be a Silent Auction beginning at 1:30 and the proceeds from this auction go to the LYSO operating fund. The LYSO Symphony Orchestra concert schedule has now expanded to include the annual 4th on Broadway Fireworks Concert for an audience of approximately 75,000 people. Additionally, this year the LYSO Symphony Orchestra will perform side-by-side with the Lubbock Symphony Orchestra in the Many Faces of the Americas concerts on March 7-8, 2008.

This concert will feature concerto winner, Natalie Ham, playing flute with the LYSO Symphony Orchestra performing the first movement from W.A. Mozart’s Flute Concerto No. 1 in G Major. Natalie is a senior at Lubbock High School and one of two winners from last season’s concerto competition held in the Spring of 2007. She is the daughter of Mr. Gary and Dr. Donna Ham. She began taking flute lessons under the direction of Margaret Redcay during her freshman year of high school. Since then, Natalie has received numerous awards in UIL and other competitions. She has also held top chairs in the Honor All Region Band for four years and the Symphony All Region Orchestra for three years. She was finalist in the Juanita Miller Concerto Competition held last fall at Southern Methodist University. Natalie has studied with Dr. Brad Garner (Cincinnati Conservatory), Dr. Lisa Garner Santa (Texas TechUniversity), Leone Buyse (Rice University), Dr. Andrea Graves (Western Illinois University), Dr. Brian Luce (University of Arizona) and Bonita Boyd (Eastman School of Music). She has been a member of the Lubbock Youth Symphony for five years. Natalie serves as principal in LYSO Symphony Orchestra, the Lubbock High Symphonic band and the Lubbock High Orchestra.

At the March 9^th concert, the LYSO Symphony Orchestra, under the direction of Bruce Wood, will perform Berceuse and Finale by Stravinsky, Mozart’s Flute Concerto No.1 in G Major, featuring soloist Natalie Ham and the Finale from Sibelius’ Symphony No. 2.

Under the direction of Laurie Williams, the LYSO Philharmonic Orchestra, will perform Fidelio Overture, Op. 72 by Beethoven, Farandole from L’Arlesienne, Suite No. 2 and Tchaikovsky’s Symphony No. 2 in c minor

The LYSO Prelude Strings, under the direction of Kathleen Smith, will perform Fiddlin’ to Boston by Halferty, Baroque Fugue by Siennicki, and Fantasia for Strings by Del Borgo.

What a great opportunity to enjoy yourself or have a fun afternoon with your family. This promises to be a wonderful afternoon of music and everyone is encouraged to enjoy this fun, family event. Tickets are available at the door or by calling 762-1688. 

Tickets Prices are $8.00 for adults and $6.00 for children 12 and under.

For more information on the Lubbock Symphony Orchestra and the LYSO Program, visit our website at www.lubbocksymphony.org or call 806-762-1688.