Dating back to at least 35,000+ years ago, music has remained a prominent and joyous part of everyone’s lives. Especially classical. It evokes feelings of satisfactory grandeur that other genres can’t fully replicate.
And Liberty High School has some special, talented instrument players who have been displaying their musical talents both in and out of school. One of those places being the Bellevue Youth Symphony Orchestra.
Bellevue Youth Symphony Orchestra (BYSO) is a nonprofit organization in Bellevue, Washington, that provides a positive and stimulating musical environment for youth of all ages. They have six large orchestras and three smaller instrumental ensembles, having existed since 1964.
The available instruments range from woodwind to string, and even brass may audition for this organization.
Students who’ve played within it have called the BYSO a fun and enriching experience. Students get to play with others of different age ranges and skill sets, meeting those from different school districts they would not have met otherwise.
Junior Megan Atwood at Liberty describes it as a great learning experience and very beneficial for learning harder pieces of music. Atwood plays in the Youth Symphony, along with sophomore Corbin Honey and senior Charles Van Parys.
“It definitely helps me be a better musician with better musicianship”, Atwood said.
They provide challenges for young musicians working beyond school programs, along with great opportunities to practice playing in ensemble settings. From female composed pieces such as Beatrice’s Second Symphony, to old symphonies, to Johannes Brahms: Symphony No. 3, the students are exposed to varieties of compositions and are able to expand their musical knowledge well.
All profits go to funding the organization and help pay for the rehearsals, renting venues, etc. Practices include one-on-one coaching and quarterly retreats where students have five hour long rehearsals.
“A professional comes in and helps you work on your music and learn new stuff”, Atwood said.
They are usually found performing in the Meydenbauer center in Bellevue or, every few years, in the Benaroya Hall located in Downtown Seattle. However, they have played in other areas, and merged with other symphonies as well.
The organization was originally formed by musical educator, Frances Walton, from the Issaquah School District, and later merged with the Highline Youth Symphony and Youth Philharmonic Northwest. In 1999, the group was then named the Bellevue Youth Symphony Orchestra.
Instruments are not easy to play, but the rewards are worth the tedious efforts. And for Liberty students to be able to play both in and out of school? Cue the applause.
