By Megen Balda, Greater Twin Cities Youth Symphonies

When The Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra (SPCO) and Greater Twin Cities Youth Symphonies (GTCYS) entered into a strategic alliance this past July, a major goal was to introduce new artistic and programmatic collaborations between the two organizations.  The first of such opportunities was held on January 14, 2012 when 330 GTCYS students and families attended “GTCYS Night Out to the SPCO” – a special evening of music and other activities offered to GTCYS families free of charge.

Taking place at the Ordway Center for the Performing Arts in downtown St. Paul, the evening began with a pre-concert lecture in the lobby hosted by Ara Guzelimian, Provost and Dean of The Juilliard School and Senior Advisor to the SPCO. A GTCYS-led string quartet performed the Finale to Haydn’s “Rider” Quartet and the first movement of Smetana’s First String Quartet after the lecture. The SPCO concert offered a wide-range of musical treats, including Mozart’s Overture to The Marriage of Figaro, Ligeti’s Violin Concerto, and Falla’s El Amor Brujo.  After the concert, GTCYS students and families were given the special opportunity to meet SPCO guest conductor Joana Carneiro and violin soloist Augustin Hadelich. One GTCYS parent who attended shared: “Our daughter has wanted to be a conductor and solo violinist since she was 9 or 10 years of age, so having a chance to interact with both Augustin and Joana was really a highlight for her! As parents and musicians, we look forward to the continuing partnership with GTCYS and the SPCO. The opportunity for students to learn from world class musicians in this type of setting is of great value.”

“GTCYS Night Out” will be held annually, and is just one of the growing number of programmatic collaborations between GTCYS and the SPCO.