Date: Fri 03-Nov-1995

Publication: Bee

Author: ANDREA

Quick Words:

Youth-Symphony-Bridgeport

Full Text:

GREATER BPT SYMPHONY YOUTH ORCHESTRA

B Y A NDREA Z IMMERMANN

One sure way to be challenged is to engage in healthy competition with your

peers, whether it is sports, music or academics.

But, it's more than a challenge that propels eight Newtown youth out of bed

early every Saturday during the school year - it is the love of music.

Approximately 200 middle and high school students from Fairfield and New Haven

counties are selected by audition each year for the three symphonies - string,

concert and princial - of the Greater Bridgeport Symphony Youth Orchestra

(GBSYO). All of the students are expected to remain in good standing as

participants in their respective school music programs in order to be a member

of the GBSYO in Fairfield. The youth orchestra is just meant to intensify

their music education.

"It is good experience to play advanced music and orchestral compositions,"

said Curtis Hussarungsri of Newtown, who has been with the GBSYO for five

years.

Although he plans on majoring in mechanical engineering in college, he will

continue with the viola as a serious avocation.

"It's a huge commitment," said Curtis's mother Jeannette Hussarungsri. "He's

stuck with it. It's not me pushing, but the love of the music making him do

it."

She credits the Newtown school system for sparking and fostering that love of

music. Neither she nor her husband play an instrument, she said.

Emily Warner, a junior at NHS and a member of the school orchestra, said she

is exposed to "technically challenging music at the symphony." For instance,

the GBSYO has been practicing Scheherazade and Overture Rienzi in preparation

for its fall concert to be held November 12 at Fairfield High School.

"I look forward to going to rehearsal and making wonderful music," Emily said.

The challenges presented through GBSYO have brought her to "new levels" and

made her a better violinist.

"I've made a lot of new friends [from Trumbull and area towns] that I wouldn't

ordinarily have made if I was not doing this type of program," she said.

Eighth grader, Kari Levinson, who also plays soccer and takes karate, said

playing cello in the youth orchestra is a lot of fun.

"I get to be with a lot of my friends, meet a lot of new people, and play

challenging music, she said.

Newtown High School sophomore Karina Wolfe is in her fourth year as a

violinist with the youth orchestra. She describes the members of GBYSO as

serious, dedicated musicians. It's fun to be part of a group striving to be

their best, she added.

"It's amazing to hear how well kids our age can play and how hard they work to

make it sound so good," Karina said.

During the summer, she and her sister take private violin lessons. Because

each September the youth must audition for their seats, everyone wonders if

"someone else has been practicing more, or if you move up - do you move up

enough ," Karina said.

Senior Tara Wolfe said she will major in music education or music performance.

GBSYO has greatly contributed to this decision, she said.

"Four years ago, we were invited to perform at Carnegie Hall. That was great,"

she said, describing her first glimpse of the red and gold decor of the hall.

"It really motivates you to play the best you can and keep on trying and see

how far you can reach."

The conductor of the principal orchestra, Robert Genualdi, stresses

musicality, according to Tara.

"It's not just notes on the page - it's the emotion and feeling the group puts

into the music," she said.

"These youth are the cream of the crop from 17 towns," said Mr Genualdi. The

principle orchestra plays music by the masters in original form, he added. On

alternate years, they either play with an "up and coming young artist

soloist," or commission a new work by an American composer and give the piece

its world premiere. The orchestra has played at the Klein Memorial Auditorium

in Bridgeport, where the February 1996 concert will be held, and performed at

the Music Educators National Conference in Rochester.

There are 81 youth in the principal orchestra, 80 in the concert, and 40 in

string. Some of the sixth to twelfth graders bring with them a musical

heritage; others do not, and all are encouraged to pursue their talents.

"I'm as enthusiastic about it as [my son] is," said Mrs Hussarungsri. "That's

what it's all about."

The fall performance of the Greater Bridgeport Symphony Youth Orchestra will

be held Sunday, November 12, at 3:00 at the Fairfield High School. Tickets,

which cost $6 for adults and $4 students, will be available at the door.