CYSO is pleased to announce the addition of two new artistic staff for the upcoming 2016-2017 season. Michael Mascari, Director of Orchestras at Whitney M. Young Magnet High School, joins CYSO as Concert Orchestra Conductor, and Dana Green, who recently accepted a position as Director of Orchestras at Vernon Hills High School, joins as Debut Orchestra Conductor. In the upcoming 2016-2017 season, CYSO will also add a new full orchestra, Philharmonic Orchestra, to be conducted by long-time CYSO conductor, Terrance Malone Gray.
“We are thrilled to welcome Michael and Dana to our artistic team and look forward to the direction and inspiration they will provide,” said CYSO Music Director Allen Tinkham. “Adding Philharmonic Orchestra means even more students will have the opportunity to study at CYSO, helping to inspire in these young musicians a strong sense of self-discipline and confidence.”
NEW CONDUCTORS
Incoming Concert Orchestra Conductor Michael Mascari has served as Director of Orchestras at Chicago Public School (CPS)’s prestigious Whitney M. Young Magnet High School for the past ten years. During his tenure, the orchestral program has grown in both size and quality, and he is recognized statewide as a leader in arts education. A graduate of University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Mr. Mascari is currently pursuing his Master of Music in education from Eastern Illinois University.
Debut Orchestra Conductor Dana Green, the new director of orchestras at Vernon Hills High School, previously served as director of orchestras at Naperville North High School and as one of the former directors of the West Suburban Youth Orchestra. During his tenure in Naperville, Mr. Green grew the size of the high school and elementary orchestras, established an extracurricular string ensemble program, and introduced a district-wide summer instrumental festival. Mr. Green holds a Bachelor of Music Education from DePaul University and a Master of Music with a specialization in Music Education from Northern Illinois University.
CYSO’s Debut and Concert Orchestras provide students with some of their first exposure to high-level, full orchestra training. Debut Orchestra serves predominantly middle school students, and Concert Orchestra is composed of middle school and high school students. Both orchestras’ seasons include weekly rehearsals, sectionals, and have included concerts in some of the region’s most renowned venues, including Harris Theater, the University of Chicago’s Logan Center for the Arts, and Northwestern’s Pick-Staiger Concert Hall.
PHILHARMONIC ORCHESTRA
For the upcoming 2016-2017 season, CYSO will also add a new full orchestra, Philharmonic Orchestra. This new orchestra will be led by CYSO Associate Conductor, Maestro Terrance Malone Gray, who has been on staff at CYSO for more than 25 years. Philharmonic Orchestra will be a highly advanced ensemble, featuring some of the most talented student musicians from around the Chicago region.
