Beaufort Youth Orchestra to receive scholarships, perform concerts
For the fifth consecutive year the Outback Steakhouse will offer a special Lunch on Sunday, March 7th, from 12:00 to 2:00 P.M. for the benefit of The Beaufort Youth Orchestra’s Scholarship Fund. This year’s event will be a plated meal, rather than a buffet. Outback is generously donating all the food, and 100% of the money raised will go to the young people. Chamber groups from the Youth Orchestra will be offering musical selections during the event.
The cost of the Lunch is $20 for adults; Children up to 13, $10. Children under 6 may come for free. Reservations must be prepaid in advance by sending a check to:
Beaufort Orchestra League
% Shandalove,
1501 Springwell
St. Helena Island, SC 29920.
Please note the number of children and adults on your check. For further information about the Outback Lunch you may call Greta at 476-1310 or Sherry at 838-3233. Donations from those unable to attend would also be gratefully received.
Each year the Beaufort Orchestra Board has been able to give selected members of the Youth Orchestra an opportunity to take private lessons, attend summer music camps, and to support those BYO graduates who continue their music studies while in college.
During 2009-2010 The Beaufort Youth Orchestra, under the direction of Maestro Fred Devyatkin, has grown to nearly fifty young musicians. They are a full symphonic group, including strings, brass, winds, and percussion. New players are accepted through audition, and those interested may inquire by calling Greta Maddox at 476-1310 or Ron Maddox at 263-2190.
The talented young people typically begin playing with BYO in upper elementary grades and can continue through high school. Rehearsals are held Thursday evenings at Beaufort High School. Recently, Beaufort Symphony members Amy Rabinowitz, Bill Baker, and Chris Cushman have volunteered their services to assist the Maestro in coaching sectional rehearsals and chamber groups.
According to Maestro Devyatkin, the young people make huge strides when they are able to take private lessons provided by the scholarships. This also sparks their interest in practice, and of course, increases the skills of the orchestra as a whole. Recently one of our graduate students attended Brevard Summer Music Camp in North Carolina. There she had the opportunity of working with Boston Pops Director Keith Lockhart and attended a master class with Yo Yo Ma! Another BYO grad is now a bassoonist and contrabassoonist at University of Memphis School of Music. Other alumni have begun teaching careers and one is a prolific composer!
BYO is proud of the honors our young people have won here in 2009. Several string players auditioned and were accepted into both Regional and State Orchestra. In addition, a number of wind and brass students auditioned and were selected for Regional Band.
The Beaufort Youth Orchestra will be in concert during the last week of February. Dataw Island Club will host the young folks on Tuesday, February 23rd at 7:00 P.M. On Thursday, February 25 they will present the same concert at Sea Island Presbyterian Church, also at 7:00 P.M. The programs will include classical music, hits from Broadway and the movies, as well as current pops tunes. The concert at Sea Island Presbyterian, 81 Lady’s Island Drive, is open to the public. There is no charge for the concert, but donations are gratefully accepted.
