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Bakersfield Youth Symphony Orchestra in harmony with young musicians
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Anonymous user Tue Nov 14, 2006 10:30:20 PST
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0 responses 0 comments The original community orchestra for young players began in 1985 as a Bakersfield College class under the direction of Dr. James Mason, but eventually disbanded after a few years of inactivity.
In 1992, Bakersfield Symphony string players Barbara Byers and Rebecca Brooks approached conductor John Farrer with a proposal for reorganizing the youth orchestra under Symphony sponsorship.
Bakersfield College agreed to include the new group — the Bakersfield Youth Symphony Orchestra (BYSO) — in their community services program with the conductor serving as an adjunct professor.
By the second season, the group was fully organized with a constitution and bylaws, board of directors, and paid conductor and manager.
Past conductors include Robert Wolfersberger, local music instructor; David Aks, a California State University, Northridge professor; and most recently, Tomasz Golka of Ball State University.
Today, although no longer a part of a Bakersfield College program, the Youth Orchestra remains an affiliated group of the Bakersfield Symphony, operating under its own board of directors with able assistance from manager Dana Svedberg, parents and Symphony coaches.
Members of the Youth Orchestra are  admitted by yearly auditions. The season runs from September through June, during which students practice together for 2 1/2 hours each week at Thompson Junior High School.
Students also play in their school musical organizations and study under private teachers.
Especially accomplished Youth Symphony players also hold chairs in the Bakersfield Symphony.
The very talented Maxim Eshkenazy, originally from Bulgaria, conducts this enthusiastic group of young people in a three-concert season — the first of which for the 2006-07 season will be held on Sunday, Nov. 19, at 7 p.m. at California State  University, Bakersfield’s Doré Theater. Other concerts will be March 24 and June 16.
Funding is provided by corporate and private contributions, player tuition fees and ticket sales. 
The BYSO seeks to serve the accomplished young musicians of the community, as well as providing another source of musical enjoyment for those who are interested in fine music.
Membership in the Youth Symphony enriches a musician’s musical skills by performing great symphonic literature with some of Kern County’s finest young musicians, helping to groom the future leaders for our musical community.
The public is invited to attend any or all of the Bakersfield Youth Symphony Orchestra concerts.

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