nTyme | And Now From New York ...

Tuesday, January 06, 2009

And Now From New York ... A Message From the Director
Friday, 28 March 2008

As many of you know, the North Torrance Youth Symphony Orchestra (NTySO) participated in the second annual World Projects New York Band and Orchestra Festival. After getting through a rigorous audition process, our group participated in a festival consisting of groups from California, Tennessee, Singapore, and the United Kingdom. On our first full day in New York, the orchestra performed on the frigid (the 20s) stage at Central Park. On the following day our group participated in a special rehearsal with Andrew Bassey, musical director of the Northhamptonshire Orchestral Winds from the United Kingdom. The unquestionable highlight of our week and our musical lifetime was on Wednesday afternoon, when we performed on the world famous stage at Carnegie Hall. Our 82 member group was excited and ecstatic about their opportunity. As many as 15 students were so happy they even cried. After performing works by Mendelssohn, Beethoven, and the world premiere of Kaeru by Pancho Burgos, the group received a SILVER rating (two other groups shared silver, and 3 received gold). It is important to note that each group was rated on its own performance of the music they selected to play. Among the good comments made were the performances of the cello section, oboeist, Jason Griffin, bassoonist Brian Morris, and shamisen player, Kevin Willoughby. Judges also mentioned the good selection of music and the group's preparation as strengths.

The North Torrance Youth Symphony Orchestra was adjudicated as a HIGH SCHOOL ORCHESTRA, even though only 25 of the 82 members are currently enrolled in high school. Another "disadvantage" our orchestra has is that it only rehearses once a week where most of the other groups rehearse every day.

Students, parents, family, and even the director (me) was overwhelmed from their experience at Carnegie Hall. Amongst the orchestra there were many members who cried during the sound check and/or performance not due to nerves, but from the realization that their dream had come true. In the audience there was hardly a dry eye in the house ..... moms, dads, friends, and even former teachers were overwhelmed at the site of seeing their "babies" perform.

On behalf of the orchestra I would like to thank all of you for your support. We were proud to represent our school, community, district and city in this performance. We could not have done it without you.

Musically yours,

Glen Kamida

© 2007-2008 nTyme
North Torrance Youth Musicians Ensemble
P.O. Box 6191
Torrance, CA 90504