The rain softly tapped outside, but inside Orchestra Hall, excitement and musical anticipation electrified the atmosphere as Symphony Orchestra prepared to deliver their fall performance.
CYSO Executive Director Jennie Oh Brown opened the evening by thanking the audience and acknowledging the donors and sponsors who make the orchestra’s mission possible. She also announced the upcoming 2025 CYSO gala, “Spanish Rhapsody,” scheduled for Saturday, February 15, and invited supporters to contribute to the fall appeal and make an impact on the students, many of whom are experiencing classical music for the first time.
The concert began with a remarkable performance of The Star-Spangled Banner. Special guest CYSO Board Member Josh Butler joined the ensemble on cymbals. Under Music Director Allen Tinkham’s direction, the students performed with precision and heartfelt expression. The brass section launched boldly, while strings and winds added depth and warmth.
Following the national anthem, the Symphony Orchestra tackled Samuel Barber’s Overture to The School for Scandal, a vibrant and playful work inspired by Richard Brinsley Sheridan’s comedic play. The students navigated the piece’s complex musical landscape with impressive technical skill and musicality, executing rapid tempo changes and intricate call-and-response motifs with both precision and a sense of mischief.
A highlight of the evening was the presentation of the 2024 Youth Orchestra Conductor of the Year award to CYSO Director of String Ensembles Daniella Valdez by the Illinois Council of Orchestras. In her acceptance speech, Valdez passionately emphasized the importance of amplifying underrepresented voices in classical music and cultivating a collaborative environment in learning. “What is consistent and so unique about CYSO,” she reflected, “is the enthusiasm of the students and parents. Their desire to learn is what propels us!”
The concert continued with Jessie Montgomery’s contemporary Hymn for Everyone, a piece that showcased the orchestra’s emotional and technical range. The strings opened with a warm, almost prayer-like quality that immediately drew the audience into an intimate musical space. Students skillfully navigated subtle dynamic shifts, ensuring each musical swell felt organic and purposeful. The interplay between string, wind, and brass sections revealed a beautifully balanced and collaborative performance.
After intermission, the full Symphony Orchestra returned to tackle Shostakovich’s monumental Symphony No. 10—a challenging work that demands extraordinary musical maturity. The young musicians rose to the occasion, delivering a performance that traversed complex emotional territories. The music shifted from brooding and oppressive to aggressive and unnerving, and then to introspective and caring moments.
As the final notes of Shostakovich’s symphony resonated through the hall, the orchestra’s unity and command of the material were unmistakable. The performance culminated in a well-deserved standing ovation, celebrating the students’ remarkable artistic growth and potential.
Thank you to everyone who joined in person or through our livestream. We hope to see you again at Orchestra Hall next spring.
