As a board member, I see first hand how the orchestra grows and responds to strong leadership. Both the conductor and the executive director motivate the students to do their best, work together as a unit and commit their time to improve. The YOGC provides opportunities for young musicians to perform in an orchestral setting...part of the YOGC mission satement. The amount of talent in our region is abundant...and good conducting brings out the best in everyone.
As a parent of two youngsters in this organization, I would and do recommend the experience of becoming a member of YOGC to others. Why? I believe the organization is able to provide a positive musical experience. In addition to the exposure to a true orchestra experience, the other participating students are genuinely a great group of kids. I think the combination of a great musical experience with a fantastic set of young adults to interact with is a parents dream.
I became involved with YOGC because it provided my private music students an outstanding opportunity to play with a much larger group than they would find at school. The board has a core of deeply committed individuals but also makes a practice of recruiting some new board members every year, to widen the circle of talent and influence available to help out. The challenge is to really involve all the members, who may wait to be asked to give of their time.
The Youth Orchestra has done many things for me in the past 7 months. YOGC has helped me to become a better musician through exposure to different generes of music, a chance to play with advanced students, and time of intruction with university proffesors and students. Youth Orchestra is the best performing group I have been a part of and without it, my musical talents would not be where they are today. Thanks to Mr. Palmer(director), Mrs.Dottie Brown, and the Board