It鈥檚 about showcasing up-and-coming classical talent.
That鈥檚 the modus operandi of the Okanagan Symphony Youth Orchestra annual spring concert, which hits Vernon May 5 and Penticton and 琉璃神社 May 6.
With roots in the late 鈥�80s, the OSYO was founded by local composer and now features 80 students from Keremeos to White Lake.
鈥淭he students always have the opportunity to be featured as soloists and composers on our concerts. This concert, both of our soloists on the program in Vernon are from Vernon and they are both graduating this year to pursue music at the post-secondary level,鈥� said Rosemary Thomson, music director.
Vernon talent Chris Dlouhy has played both violin and clarinet in the youth orchestra and will perform the second movement of the Beethoven Piano Concerto No. 3. Dlouhy, a nationally ranked fencer, also plans to study piano next year at the University of Victoria.
Fellow Vernon product Libby Wise is performing the first movement of the Mozart Violin Concerto No. 5. Wise is also a pianist and will pursue music at the University of Ottawa in the fall. She currently studies at the .
Under the direction of Dennis Colpitts and Thomson, the OSYO fell under the Okanagan Symphony Orchestra in 2012.
鈥淭hese students learn at the speed of lightning,鈥� said Colpitts, co-director. 鈥淲e are really looking forward to sharing their wonderful talents on stage next week.鈥�
The OSYO provides a rigorous orchestral education for advanced music students in the Okanagan.
As part of the program, students have the opportunity to grace the stage alongside OSO greats in the and are featured as concerto soloists in the OSYO annual spring and fall offerings. The spring show will also feature works by students Joel Casson and Leif Jack.
鈥淥ne of the special opportunities for these students is the chance to compose for orchestra and to hear their pieces performed,鈥� Thomson said. 鈥淲e are the only youth orchestra in the country to offer this and we have heard some magical compositions over the years.鈥�
And, to cap off the performance, students will ring in Antonin Dvorak鈥檚 Symphony No. 8.
鈥淚t would be wonderful if we could really pack the hall to support these wonderful students,鈥� Thomson said.
The OSYO will rock Vernon鈥檚 Trinity United Church May 5 at 3 p.m., Penticton鈥檚 Cleland Theatre May 6 at 2 p.m. and 琉璃神社鈥檚 First Lutheran Church May 6 at 7 p.m. Tickets are available through online at or at the door. All seating is general admission and costs $15 adult, $10 students and seniors, $5 for children 12-and-under and under two are free.
