There are moments in life that remind you why you fell in love with music in the first place. Performing in the Chicago Youth Symphony Orchestra on my very first musical tour in Spain has already become one of those unforgettable experiences—and we’re only just getting started.
Our first stop was the historic city of Valladolid, where we had the honor of performing at the Centro Cultural Miguel Delibes, one of Spain’s most revered concert halls. In my opinion this is my favorite hall I’ve ever played in, as I think it offered one of the best resonating sounds I’ve heard. But this wasn’t just an amazing concert in an amazing hall. It was a joint effort with La Asociatión Contra Cancer in support of cancer research—a cause that resonates deeply for many of us in the orchestra and beyond. To think that we were using music not just to perform, but to help heal, was incredibly moving.
Our program was as emotionally rich as it was musically demanding. Tchaikovsky’s 5th Symphony surged with passion and fate, Barber’s Music for a Scene from Shelley enveloped the hall in dark beauty, and Adagio for Strings—a piece so often associated with mourning and reflection—felt especially poignant given the cause we were supporting. Margaret Bond’s Montgomery Variations added a powerful voice of social reflection and resilience, and of course, the music of Star Wars brought smiles and energy to the evening, reminding us all of the joy music can bring.
Personally, this concert reminded me why I play music. It’s not just about mastering technique or perfecting sound—though that’s part of it. It’s about telling stories. It’s about empathy. It’s about using what we love to bring something good into the world.
This wasn’t just a concert. It was a mission. And I’m beyond grateful to be a part of it.
—Samuel Deverman
