NEWS: American West Symphony of Sandy to mentor Canyons School District youth in joint concert.

When: April 22, 2013  7:00 p.m.

Where: Butler Middle school, 7530 South 2700 East, Cottonwood Heights, Utah

Cost: Free

Contacts:          Charlotte Jordan, Chairman of the Board of Directors, 801-523-7084 or 801-664-4753

                        Joel Rosenberg, Music Director, 801-581-0113

Teen musicians from the Canyons School District Youth Symphony will perform side-by-side with American West Symphony on April 22 in a joint concert at Butler Middle School, 7530 South 2700 East, Cottonwood Heights at 7:00 p.m. This mentorship event is the second of its kind for the Sandy-based Symphony.

Canyons Youth Symphony is made up of about 80 players from around the district, ranging from grade 6 to grade 9. Its after-school program is open only by audition, and participating students are required to play in the orchestra programs in their schools.

 

"The kids were so excited about last year's experience and they kept asking: can we do it again? It is an invaluable opportunity to play side by side with experienced musicians and a massive learning experience," says Keith Davis one of three co-directors of the Canyons Youth Symphony

During the upcoming joint concert, each symphony will first perform alone. After that the American West Symphony musicians, under the direction of Joel Rosenberg, will share music stands with members of the youth orchestra and play together an arrangement of Giaochino Rossini's William Tell Overture. 

"I feel it is a great opportunity for our students to see they can continue to express themselves through music during their whole lifetime. They become more aware of performance opportunities beyond high school and college and that will motivate them to practice more," says Sharee Jorgensen, Art Consortium Chair of the Canyons School District.

The American West Symphony's other community outreach efforts include presenting educational Sandy Library programs for kids and the youth piano competition.

"Of all the community outreach we do, the mentorship with the Canyons Youth Symphony is the one our musicians enjoy the most. The proud smiling faces of the young musicians show the incredible empowerment the sharing of the gift of music gives, and everyone involved experiences a feeling of great enjoyment attending the event," says Charlotte Jordan, Chairman of the Board.

The American West Symphony of Sandy is in its 25th season of providing quality music around the Salt Lake Valley. The Symphony encourages young people to attend their educational concerts in Sandy by offering reduced admission of $5 for youth age 7 through 15.

For information about upcoming concerts see our website: www.americanwestsymphony.org