75th SEASON FINALE
Sunday, May 21, 2023 | 5:00pm
Singletary Center for the Arts
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
BOARD of DIRECTORS
Candace James, president
Mary Kay Rayens, secretary
Louise Shouse, treasurer
Cindy Bennett
Alethea Bernard
Cody Birdwell
Catherine Clarke Nardolillo
Kirsten Clingerman
Lester Diaz
Stephanie Farrar
Enrique Farfan
Joe Gibson
Samantha Johnson
Joyce Nicholson
Patricia Price •
Meredith Raybould •
Beth Ellen Rosenbaum
Amy Smith
Sharon A. Smith
Bob Stadelman •
General Operating Support for CKYO provided by:
The Kentucky Arts Council, the state arts agency, supports CKYO with state tax dollars and federal funding from the National Endowment for the Arts.
All Central Kentucky Youth Orchestras programs are made possible in part through the generous support of LexArts. In 2022-2023, CKYO will receive $40,000 in unrestricted support.
• CKYO Alumni
Greetings CKYO Family and Friends,
It is with immense pleasure that we welcome you to CKYO’s 75th anniversary season finale concert. Tonight, we gather to commemorate a historic milestone in the organization's rich history and celebrate the remarkable talent of our musicians.
As we reflect on the past 75 years, we are filled with gratitude for the countless memories that have been created through the passion and dedication of our musicians. We are thrilled to welcome back more than 75 alumni who have come together to form the Alumni Orchestra, conducted by former CKYO Music Director and CKYO Alumni, Dr. Steven Moore. It is truly inspiring to witness their talent and dedication to music education.
In addition to this special performance, we will hear from our CKYO Friends in Music students and their mentors in a side-by-side performance, celebrating a year of hard work and friendship together.
Our Symphony Orchestra will then take the stage to delight you with exciting performances of selections of Gustav Holst’s “The Planets” and Dvorak’s Symphony No. 9, as well as Florence Price’s majestic “The Oak.”
Finally, we will honor our graduating seniors with a tradition dating back to the 1960s began by Dr. Joseph Ceo (CKYO Music Director 1967-1973). The class of 2023 will perform the final movement of Haydn’s “Farewell Symphony” in a moving farewell to their high school performing career with CKYO.
As our season concludes, I find myself grateful to our amazing musical staff for the care, generosity and passion they put in each week with our young musicians. Congratulations to Marcello Cormio, Nancy Campbell, Lois Wiggins, Mary Elizabeth Henton, Raleigh Dailey, and Austin Shoupe for their invaluable contribution to our mission and our continued success! My sincere gratitude also goes to our Executive Director, Amelia Groetsch, and our Program Directors, Chase Miller and Shawna Howard. Their work and dedication to keep the mission of CKYO alive and thriving is vital to the success of our organization.
I would like to take this opportunity to express my deepest gratitude to all those who have supported the Central Kentucky Youth Orchestras over the years, including our Board, donors, sponsors, volunteers, alumni, families, teachers, and dedicated staff. Your unwavering support has been critical to the orchestra's success and has helped us to continue to provide opportunities for young musicians to develop their talents and pursue their dreams.
The longevity and excellence of CKYO is a true testament of the importance of the arts, especially music, throughout the Bluegrass. With your enthusiasm and support we know that the organization will be around for another 75 years! On behalf of the CKYO Board of Directors, thank you for being a part of the CKYO family and your continued support of our young musicians.
Warmly,
Candace James, President CKYO Board of Directors
WELC O m E
our CKYO Alumni survey!
Take
CONDUCTORS
Marcello Cormio, Symphony & Concert Orchestras
Nancy Campbell, Repertory & Bravo String Orchestras
Lois Wiggins, Repertory Orchestra
Mary Elizabeth Henton • , Bravo String Orchestra
Raleigh Dailey, Jazz Arts & Jazz Repertory Orchestras
Austin Shoupe, Percussion
ADMINISTRATIVE STAFF
Marcello Cormio, Music Director
Amelia Groetsch, Executive Director
Shawna Howard, Friends in Music Program Director
Dezmond Moss, On Site Rehearsal Coordinator
Chase Miller, MusicWorks Program Director
COMMUNITY PROGRAM TEACHING ARTISTS
Anna Watrous • , MusicWorks & Friends in Music
Ethan Young, MusicWorks
Kylie Meadows • , Friends in Music
Richard Smith II • , Friends in Music
Thank You!
Arlington Christian Church
Bryan Station Middle School
Frederick Douglass High School
Leestown Middle School
SCAPA Bluegrass
UK College of Fine Arts
CKYO STAFF
• CKYO Alumni
CKYO ALUMNI ORCHESTRA
Dr. Steven Moore, conductor
MARCELLO CORMIO
STEPHEN FOSTER
arr. Wright
DMITRI SHOSTAKOVICH
ARTURO MÁRQUEZ
CKYO’s Season Finale Concert
Sunday, May 21, 2023
5:00 PM
Singletary Center for the Arts
Unbridled (The CKYO Theme)
“My Old Kentucky Home”
Festive Overture op. 96
Danzón no. 2
FRIENDS in MUSIC with SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA WINDS, BRASS, PERCUSSION
Shawna Howard, director
FRANZ SCHUBERT
arr. Meyer
ANTONÍN DVO ˇ RÁK arr. Isaac
SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA
Symphony no. 8 “Unfinished,” I. mvt.
Slavonic Dance no. 1 op. 46
MARCELLO CORMIO, conductor
FLORENCE PRICE
GUSTAV HOLST
ANTONÍN DVO ˇ RÁK
SENIOR ORCHESTRA
FRANZ JOSEPH HAYDN
The Oak , symphonic poem
from The Planets , op. 32:
I. Mars, The Bringer of War
IV. Jupiter, The Bringer of Jollity
from Symphony no. 9 op. 95
“From the New World”
IV. Finale. Allegro con fuoco
from Symphony no. 45, “Farewell”
IV. Finale: Adagio
CKYO SEASON FINALE CONCERT
J. STEVEN MOORE DMA
J. Steven Moore was honored to serve as the Music Director and Conductor of the Central Kentucky Youth Orchestras from 1996-2000. CKYO was already terrific when he took over the position. With much help from the music community, CKYO grew in participation and added a third orchestra, celebrated it’s 50th anniversary, developed a robust chamber music program, expanded their outreach to underserved youth, and took an inspiring trip to Europe. Most importantly, the CKYO continued it’s rich tradition of excellence in providing high quality musical and social experiences for young musicians in the region.
Steven grew up in Lexington, attended Lafayette High School, and played (for too short of a time) in CKYO. After graduation, he attended the University of South Carolina, where he majored in music education and earned a performer’s certificate in trumpet performance. His first academic position was as Assistant Director of Bands at the University of Kentucky from 1982-1986, where he directed the symphonic band, marching band, pep band, and jazz ensemble II. Subsequently, Steven spent a decade at his alma mater Lafayette HS, as well as Jessie Clark MS, and Picadome ES from 1986-1996. From 1996-2000, he was the music director at CKYO and earned his DMA in conducting at the University of Kentucky. During this time, Steven served as the interim Director of Orchestras at UK for a year, while they conducted a search for a new conductor. In 2000, Steven moved to Fort Collins, Colorado to serve as the Director of Bands at Colorado State University from 2000-2010. While at CSU, he also was a guest conductor of the Rocky Mountain Youth Orchestra, The Fort Collins Symphony Orchestra, and the Fort Collins Wind Symphony. Steven was recruited into administration as Assistant Director of the School of Music, Theatre, and Dance and chaired the graduate studies committee. In furthering his career in academic administration, Steven was the Chair for the Department of Music at the University of Central Missouri (2010-2013) and later, Associate Dean of Undergraduate Studies, Frost School of Music, at the University of Miami (2013-2023). Steven oversees curriculum, scholarships, and academic success for 500 undergraduate students in 14 degrees. He is the recently appointed Conductor and Music Director of the Naples Concert Band, a vibrant organization that performs 8 concerts annually in beautiful Cambier Park for an audience of over a 1000 at each event. He is retiring from academia after 41 rewarding years.
Dr. Moore is a member of the American Bandmasters Association, where he has served on the Board of Directors. His Lafayette HS Band performed at the Midwest International Band and Orchestra Clinic, received the Sudler Shield, appeared in the Macy's Parade, and was awarded 6 State Marching Band Championships. The Department of Education selected him as the Kentucky High School Teacher of the Year. He received the William Butler Award for Administrative Excellence at the University of Miami.The National Association for Music Education (NAfME) published his book, Play It From the Heart: What you learn from music about success in life. www.PlayItFromtheHeart.com. Steven resides in Miromar Lakes, Florida with his wife, Kimberly Sena Moore, Ph.D., son, Jameson (16), and daughter, Lorian (14).
ALU m NI ORCHESTRA –J. STEVEN m OORE
Alumni Orchestra Roster
Dr. J. Steven Moore, conductor
Flute
Jenna James (2022)
Hayden Arnold (2022)
Whitney Barker (2006)
Oboe
David Powell (1978)
Taylor McLellan (2014)
Allison Weitkamp (1996)
Cathy (Kahn) DePentu (1973)
Clarinet
Avery Schanbacher (2021)
Frank Dillard (1967)
Joe McGrannahan (1971)
Michele Frazer (1988)
Bassoon
Michelle (Ginn) Thomas (2003)
Miller Gaunce (1969)
Percussion
Chris Teesdale (1999)
Doug Gabbert (1970)
Wes Summers (2013)
Janice Versaw Kummer (1972)
French Horn
Ben Humphries (2020)
Jill Kovacs Brown (1990)
Karl Ahnquist (1995)
Emily Bridge (2006)
Joe Dillard (1970)
Nathaniel Barker (2002)
Isaac Lane (2017)
Trumpet
Rich Illman (1967)
Jackson Greene (2022)
Will Lovan (2014)
Bill Foster (1966)
Keegan Elvidge (2017)
Ray Curry (1974)
Trombone
Greg Jackson (2005)
Ashley Clark (2019)
Brett Evans (1998)
Tracy Lovan (1979)
Tuba
Jake Alford (2021)
George Haden (1961)
CKYO ANNUAL STUDENT AWARDS
The Borchardt Award
The Borchardt Award is presented to the winners of the Concerto Competition in memory of Carl Borchardt, member of the Central Kentucky Youth Orchestras in 1970-71. The 2023 Borchardt Concerto Competition Winners performed at CKYO’s Teen Arts Festival in February.
The Lucille C. Little Scholarship
Instituted in 1994, this scholarship was established to honor Lucille C. Little, patron of the arts for Central Kentucky. The Scholarship is presented to an outstanding junior with at least one full year membership experience. It is based on musical merit, dedication and leadership. The music director selects the recipient. The scholarship pays for full tuition and fees for the recipient’s senior year in CKYO.
The Linda Wolf Helm Outreach Award
Linda Wolf Helm was a two-term Board President of CKYO whose contributions and dedication will be felt for years to come. Before she passed away in November 2002, she set up an Outreach Fund to support the educational and outreach efforts of the organization. She instructed the Friends in Music Program Director to select the most outstanding mentor or mentors in the Friends in Music program and be recognized each year with this award.
The Matthew Lin Excellence Award & Scholarship
Matthew Lin (Class of 2019) was a dedicated member of CKYO and an extremely gifted violinist and fiddler who served the Friends in Music Program as an outstanding mentor. To honor Matthew’s memory, a 7th grade Friends in Music student will be awarded a full private lesson scholarship for their 8th grade year. Students are nominated by their mentors and the recipient is selected by the Friends in Music Program Director.
The Presidential Service Award
The Presidential Service Award was established in 2002 in recognition of the outgoing CKYO Board President and a CKYO Orchestra member. It is based on dedication, leadership, and service to the organization. The student recipient is selected by the music director and approved by the CKYO Board President.
The Alumni Spirit Cup Award
The Alumni Spirit Cup Award is given in the name of all the past members of the organization who seek to perpetuate the intangible quality known as “spirit” encompassing all for which this unique organization has come to represent. This award is presented annually to the graduating senior, selected by members of the Symphony Orchestra, who embodies and demonstrates those qualities in the best youth orchestra tradition.
The Zaner Zerkle Award
In 1974, this award was established in honor of Mr. Zaner Zerkle, former music coordinator for Fayette County schools and past member of CKYO. Throughout his career, Mr. Zerkle was dedicated to the betterment of music education for all young people. This award is presented to the outstanding senior member of the Central Kentucky Youth Orchestra each year and is selected by the music director.
STUDENT AWARDS
Shawna Howard, director
Kylie Meadows, instructor
Anna Watrous, instructor
Richard Smith, instructor
2022-2023 FRIENDS IN mUSIC STUDENT ROSTER
Ahmed Alqawiz
Alyssa Asbury
Destiny Baltazar
Braylynn Barnes
Gavin Beatty
Norjaye Bedward
Braidan Bledsoe
Binta Ceesay
Neha Cheriyan
Bayleigh Chinn
Jojo Covington
Teresa Dahal
Esmeralda Delgado
Noreidy Diaz
Emmanuel Diaz
Orion Doney
Andrew Ellis
Arianna Esquivel
Finley Fales
Aiden Farley
Mahari Ferreira
Abigail Field
Lily Forrester
Sarah Frazier
Everett Gaddie
Locke Gaunce
Ronia Gawlik
Audrianna Gibbons
Taniya Gibbons
Rebekah Grace
Paisley Grigsby
Evy Haggard
Virginia Hanes
Audrey Holland
Lydia Huber
Kyrie Januks
Thomas Johnson
Makenna Jones
Judaida Kadusi
Myla Karr
Ryan Kern
Summer Kern
Silas Klinefelter
Yashar López
Ted Lubin
Filipe Lukoki
Iker Magallanes
Rylee Maughan
Kourtney Mcgee
Belle McKinlay
Theo Meads
Catherine Mejia
Brenda Monsalve
Siena Montgomery
William Morales
Rachelle Munyakazi
Imani Munyakazi
Cielo Neri Lara
James Nida
Aiden Olivenbaum
Matthew Papageorgiou
Jennifer Pavon
Trinity Peckham
Michael Pinkerton
Kayla Puckett
Gerardo Rama
Anna Reed
Camila Rubio Acosta
Aynoa Priscila Sazo
Merin Scheibly
Dominick Serrano
Joochan Shin
Jahkeise Starks
Amelia Stepetak
Carson Stiltner
Isabelle Storer
Mya Strickland
Nadine Studdard
Prasib Tamang
Jenilin Timlsina
Millie Tinker
Sebastian Tonelli
Leonardo Torres
Partima Upreti
Suzanna Watkins
Rachel Wilkinson
FRIENDS IN m USIC
2022-2023 FRIENDS IN mUSIC mENTOR ROSTER
Julie Agustin
Ada Bellber
Kaiya Bensing
Emma Byerly
Joseph Carey
Liv Caudill
Emma Conley
John Mason Copeland
Anika Diggikar
Sean Digue
Anika Ellis
Adriana Farfan
Emerson Farrar
Laine Fine
Cooper Fister
Camila Flores
Miranda Freeman
Dorottya Gal
Bella Garcia
Berenice Gorostieta
Sofia Haggard
Salma Hernandez Luna
Sophie Hildebrandt
Clara Hildebrandt
Abigail Hughes
Max Johnson
Juwon Joung
Andrew Joyner
Hannah Kang
Sophia Keefe
Yasin Khan
David Lin
Jose Lino
Eloise Logsdon
Almita Mejia
Oscar Mondono
FRIENDS
Pono Fike
Adam Florence
Shawna Howard
Riley Morris
Jayden Ngo
Sarah Padgett
Andrew Peng
Ashley Powell
Maggie Qiu
Liam Rayens
Victor Santiago
Magaly Santiago Salas
Johanna Shin
Taiyo Stoss
Daniel Strode
Grace Sun
Ethan Tai
Nina Tay
Cora Welker
Luise Wendroth
Justin Wong
IN mUSIC PRIVATE LESSON INSTRUCTORS
Natalie Howe
Asmita Karki
Kylie Meadows
Richard Smith
Anna Watrous
Yaxing Zhao
Thank you to our Fayette County Public Schools and teachers for helping to make Friends in Music possible!
Leestown Middle School
Nathan Wilson, orchestra director
Joe Gibson, principal
Bryan Station Middle School
Lauren Wright, orchestra director
Robin Kirby, principal
FRIENDS IN m USIC
SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA ROSTER
VIOLIN I
Luise Wendroth, concertmaster
Sarah Padgett, asst. concertmaster
Justin Wong
Annabelle Raybould
Emerson Farrar
Will Carey
Clara Raybould
David Lin
Jose Lino
Kiefer Lin
Tess Nelson
Dorottya Gal
Amber Knight
Ashley Powell
VIOLIN II
Alden Yorba, principal second
Cooper Fister asst. principal second
David Lawson
Ethan Tai
Kaiya Bensing
Maggie Qiu
Arrow Watt
Alethea Hwang
Hannah Kim
Clara Hildebrandt
Ava~C Schmidt
Michael Fan
Caroline Gravil
Isaac Schmidt
VIOLA
Hannah Kang •
Yasin Khan
Riley Hooks
Logan Smith
Sophie Hildebrandt
Nina Tay
Johanna Shin
Juwon Joung
CELLO
Joseph Carey •
Andrew Peng
Anna Wilson
Lucas Falco
Jonathan Francis
AJ Johnson
Pat Nontapan
Amelia Lanier
Zac Jinez
DOUBLE BASS
John Mason Copeland •
Kaia Bush
Sofia Haggard
Daniel Goff
FLUTE
Madeline Deep •
Hian Seo
Daksha Pillai
BeiBei Sheng
OBOE
Alex Buttry •
Sylvia Wargelin
Nikan Rosenau
CLARINET
Logan Liu •
Tristan Martin
Ava Vono
Tom Beck
BASSOON
Jack Baker
FRENCH HORN
Isaac McKinney •
Liam Rayens
JT Vines
Torrey Anderson
TRUMPET
Tyler Smith •
Jack Przygoda
Luke Reed
Karlie Sims
TROMBONE
Gabe Brown •
Don Montgomery
TUBA
Mique McCallister
PIANO
Emily Hu
PERCUSSION
Isaiah Holman
Jack Incorporated
Donovan Johnson
Jacob Martin
ROSTERS –SY m PHONY O RCHESTRA
• Principal
MARCELLO CORMIO CKYO Music Director
Conductor, Symphony Orchestra
Marcello Cormio begins his sixth season as Music Director of the Central Kentucky Youth Orchestras. Cormio has worked as a conductor, opera coach, pianist and educator, both in Europe and in the USA. Outside of his work at CKYO, he continues to be very active as both a symphonic and operatic conductor. Among his recent operatic engagements, Cormio has led a production of La Traviata with La Musica Lirica opera festival in 2021, and returned to Sarasota Opera to conduct Bizet’s The Pearl Fishers in 2022.
South Florida Classical praised him as "an assured hand in the pit, conducting the score with vitality while leaving the singers room to breathe in their solos" for Così fan tutte in the Sarasota Opera's 2016 season. Cormio’s “notable” conducting debut in the 2014 Sarasota Opera’s season with Il barbiere di Siviglia was praised for a “lovely, light touch with the music”: “the young Italian drew vital and spirited playing, with the fizzing ensemble exciting yet with a fine balancing of solo voices, chorus and orchestra” (The Classical Review).
He has led productions of L’elisir d’amore, Così fan tutte and A Room with a View at the Michigan State University, Street Scene at the West Virginia University, Le nozze di Figaro, Rita, Il segreto di Susanna and La serva padrona at Sarasota Opera, and Hansel and Gretel at the Savannah Voice Festival.
He has collaborated with the Irish Tenors, serving as conductor for their 2018 Christmas tour, and leading performances around North America.
As a symphonic conductor, Cormio has appeared with orchestras around the United States and Europe, including the San Antonio Symphony, the Orchestra della Società dei Concerti di Bari, the Bacau Symphony, and the Orchestra Sinfonica del Conservatorio di Bari. In recent years, he has developed a fruitful artistic relationship with the Orchestra Sinfonica della Città Metropolitana di Bari, leading the orchestra in several cycles of performances as guest conductor. He has also served as cover conductor for the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra during the 2014-2015 season.
Cormio was music director and conductor of opera scenes productions at the Manhattan School of Music and at the Indiana University School of Music. In 2013 he was cover and assistant conductor for a new production of Turandot at the Opéra National de Lorraine in Nancy, France. Cormio has led productions of Die Zauberflöte at the Bay View Music Festival, and of Gounod’s Romèo et Juliette and The Phantom of the Opera with the University of Kentucky Opera Theatre.
Cormio has been active as an opera coach and educator throughout his career. He has worked as coach and conductor both at academic institutions and in summer music festivals, such as Opera do Recife (Brazil) and Prague Summer Nights (Czech Republic). In the year 2014-15 he was on faculty at the West Virginia University as Head of the Opera Program.
Cormio holds graduate degrees in piano, composition, conducting, and musicology from Italian conservatories and universities, as well as a Master of Music degree from Indiana University and a Doctor of Musical Arts degree from the University of Kentucky.
CKYO ARTISTIC STAFF
SHAWNA HOWARD Friends in Music Program Director
Shawna Howard is a violinist and orchestra director from Central Kentucky. Mrs. Howard attended Eastern Kentucky University where she received a Bachelors and Masters degree in Music Education.
Mrs. Howard began working with the Central Kentucky Youth Orchestras directing the Friends in Music program in 2007. At that time, the program needed a strong revitalization. Over the course of five years, the program grew to include close to eighty students. The students in Friends in Music were benefiting from instruction from the CKYO mentors and many of them began to successfully audition into a CKYO orchestra.
In 2012, Mrs. Howard & her husband moved to Texas where she became the head orchestra director at McLean Middle School. During her time at there, the program grew from 40 students to over 200 students. Each year, the orchestra received sweepstakes 1st Division ratings at Festivals. The middle school orchestra also received Best Overall Ensemble at music festivals across the state numerous times.
Mrs. Howard moved back to Kentucky in 2017 where she began working with Friends in Music again. At this time, Friends in Music moved to Leestown Middle School and Bryan Station Middle School. The program has grown to include over 100 middle school students receiving lessons each week from our 60 mentors. Many of these students also take private lessons from a professional music teacher and receive scholarships to cover lesson costs and tuition assistance when joining the Central Kentucky Youth Orchestras.
This year, Mrs. Howard has also started a beginner orchestra at The Lexington Latin School. Mrs. Howard is most proud of her wonderful family. She has four children and an amazing husband. Her oldest children are learning to play the cello, bass, and piano.
AUSTIN SHOUPE Percussion Instructor
Austin Shoupe is a percussionist and music educator based out of Lexington, KY. He holds the positions of percussion instructor with CKYO, percussion instructor with Woodford County High School, and teaching assistant for the University of Kentucky.
As a performer, he has performed with numerous symphony orchestras and wind ensembles, including Chicago Symphonic Winds, Fox Valley Orchestra, Wheaton Municipal Band, and the everlasting DeKalb Municipal Band. Austin has also performed with a number of world music groups performing Caribbean and Asian musical styles. He has also performed in the pit orchestras of UK Opera, Elgin Summer Theatre, Jedlicka Performing Arts Center, and the Interlochen Summer Arts Camp.
Austin is currently pursuing his Doctorate in Music Performance under the instruction of James Campbell. He earned his Master of Music degree from the University of Kentucky, where his primary instructors were James Campbell and Josh Smith. He earned his Bachelor of Music in Performance and Education from Northern Illinois University where his primary instructors included Greg Beyer and Robert Chappell. He has also completed course work at the University of Southern Maine where his primary teacher was Nancy Smith.
CKYO ARTISTIC STAFF
PROGRAM NOTES
Florence Price (1887-1953), “The Oak,” symphonic poem
By Daksha Pillai, Class of 2023
In contrast to the title’s bucolic connotations, Florence Price’s “The Oak” has dark, sprawling roots that encroach on mind and time. Derived from an augmented second interval, an undercurrent of unease permeates the poem, rendering both the melody and Price’s intent, murky. The latter is difficult to discern as her life is often reduced to a series of “firsts”, most notably being the first Black female composer to have her symphony performed by a major orchestra. But as the dispiriting beginning of “The Oak” makes clear, Price’s laudable accomplishments didn’t erase the struggles she faced, embodied within the piece through agitated timpani rolls and mountainous dissonance. Rather than flounder in this emotional quagmire, Price redefines the wax and wane of her own outlook through the lens of nature, infusing her composition with the alternating eons of extinction and abundance that characterize the earth. As she calms her forlorn crescendos, the flute and piccolo whistle like birds against the lush backdrops of the string ensemble. Amplified by the full orchestra, this tranquility swells into the quiet majesty of prehistoric mountain ranges. Yet, this epoch cannot last. Reminiscent of the cyclical turbulence in Price’s personal and professional life, this push and pull between faith and despair recurs throughout the tone poem before yielding to its climax. Gallant trumpet fanfares are corrupted into doomsday cries, the strings and snare find themselves frenzied, and there is no hopeful note to be found. Price does not give us resolution; why would she, considering how little of it was granted to her in her own life? Instead, Florence Price ends “The Oak” with an unpromising echo, trusting that the audience shares her resilience in rising above ruin to find the music.
Gustav Holst (1874-1934), from The Planets , op. 32: I. Mars ; IV. Jupiter
By Marcello Cormio
The Planets is an orchestral suite in seven movements, written by the English composer Gustav Holst between 1914 and 1916, and first performed in 1918.
The work is written for large orchestra, and it calls for massive orchestral forces, most likely under the influence of Mahler’s symphonic output. The peculiar ensemble includes rarely utilized instruments like alto flute, bass oboe, and tenor tuba.
The first of the seven pieces in the suite is Mars, The Bringer of War , and its tone draws inspiration from the belligerent figure of the classical mythology god of war. It is an imposing piece with a striking meter of five beats per bar, shaken by breathtaking, clashing orchestral dissonances. It was in fact called "the fiercest piece of music of all time", and it evokes a battle scene of immense proportions, creating an aural space of almost apocalyptic scope. It is Holst's most famous, quoted and imitated piece.
Jupiter, The Bringer of Jollity , is the fourth movement of the suite, and a widely popular piece as well. The music alternates moments of exuberant energy
PROGRA m NOTES
and crackling joviality with moments of epic, cantabile solemnity. The rhythmic energy and infectious excitement that drives the outer sections is conveyed through highly virtuosic orchestral writing for all instruments, and combines joyful vitality with a sense of majestic order. The inner core of the piece, highly contrasting, resembles a chorale: its regal, slow pace draws a magnificent arc, in an irresistible crescendo over the beautiful melodic line. In fact, this section was subsequently reworked by Holst into a hymn, "I Vow to Thee, My Country", which has become very popular in England and often used on solemn occasions.
Antonín Dvoˇrák (1841-1904), from Symphony no. 9 op. 95 “From the New World”: IV. Finale. Allegro con fuoco.
By Marcello Cormio
On December 16, 1893, Anton Seidl conducted the first performance of Dvoˇrák’s Symphony No. 9 at Carnegie Hall in New York, in the presence of the composer. It was the successful culmination of Dvoˇrák's three-year stay in the United States. In June 1891, the composer was invited to move to New York and assume the artistic direction of the local conservatory. His career had developed slowly over the second half of the century, with decisive steps towards international acclaim happening after 1884. The invitation to America came as a consecration; but the contact with a composite musical culture, rapidly evolving and diverging from the European trends, would have inevitable repercussions on Dvoˇrák’s creative trajectory. In particular, the composer’s exposure to traditional black American music, spirituals, and plantation songs, stimulated him in a search to integrate those musical idioms in his classically structured symphonic creations, with absolutely unique results.
If pentatonic melodies, modal harmony, and rhythmic vitality are characteristics of all of Dvoˇrák’s music, under a heavy influence of Bohemian folklore, the "primitive" extraction of the melodic material is shaped with a new and unprecedented clarity in this ninth symphony, and a masterful process of simplification of the form gives the musical ideas stentorian ev idence.
The last movement, performed in today’s program, is the most complex of the four. It is opened by a peremptory affirmation of the theme which has ensured this symphony its fame, and which is then presented again at the end, in an extreme, glorious peroration. But throughout the piece, the main melodic ideas of the three previous movements reappear, in a powerful accumulation. Dvoˇrák is not satisfied with a Schubertian form of reminiscence: instead of simply being evoked, these musical themes undergo a laborious process of elaboration, in which they become intertwined with the main theme of the finale. It is an original and meaningful reinterpretation of the romantic idea of “cyclical form”: in it, this conclusive movement truly appears as a climactic synthesis of the musical contents of the entire symphony, and of Dvoˇrák's symphonic art.
P ROGRA m N OTES
Torrey Anderson, french horn, Henry Clay High School
Torrey Anderson is a senior at Henry Clay High School. She has been a member of CKYO for four years and Symphony Orchestra for two. CKYO has been a positive experience in her life. A highlight was when she played in the brass ensemble when CKYO was reinvented in 2021. After graduation Torrey will attend Berry College in Georgia where she will major in biology. Her experience in CKYO has motivated her to continue playing the French horn at Berry. She wishes to thank her music teachers, CKYO conductors and staff for all of her music experiences and opportunities throughout the years. Torrey is thankful to her middle school band teachers Mrs. Begley and Mrs. Gentry for introducing her to the French horn. She would like to thank her teachers Misty Tolle, William Kite, and Jeffry Bayerle who have made her a better musician and person.
Katherine (Kat) Beckham, alto saxophone, Woodford County High School
Vincent Buchenberger, tenor saxophone, Great Crossing High School
Vincent is graduating from Great Crossing High School and has been a member of CKYO for 5 years. After graduating, Vincent plans to major in Psychology and minor in Music Performance at the University of Kentucky. Vincent loves jazz because of the individuality that comes with taking solos. Outside of music he likes to read and go on walks outside. He thanks Chase Miller for being an inspiration as well as a teacher. He also thanks Kody Jernigan for helping him learn how to play jazz confidently.
Kaia Bush, double bass, Lafayette High School Kaia is a senior at Lafayette High School. She has been playing the bass since 5th grade under the brilliant instruction of Paul Reich. Kaia is thankful to Ms. VanFleet in elementary school for encouraging her to try the bass, and to Ms. Hudson, Mr. Breeck, and Mr. Kent for teaching her throughout the years. Kaia has enjoyed 4 years of participating in the Central Kentucky Youth Orchestra under Marcello Cormio. She was a peer mentor with Friends in Music for 2 years. Kaia also played in the KMEA All State orchestra for the past 4 years. Kaia plans to attend Western Kentucky University in the fall and major in nursing with a music minor.
Joseph Carey, cello, Woodford County High School
Joseph has been playing Cello since he was 7 years old, and has been a part of CKYO for 6 years. He began as a student of Marsha Pendley, taking lessons as part of the Suzuki program in Lexington. After moving to Woodford County in 2019, he began studying with Dr. Nathan Jasinski at Eastern Kentucky University. Within high school, Joseph has enjoyed serving as Principal Cellist of the Woodford Chamber Orchestra, Vice-President of Environmental Club, and Senior Editor for the Jacket Journal. He is grateful for numerous teaching opportunities this year, including mentoring at Leestown Friends in Music and assisting the Woodford Middle School orchestra program as assistant conductor and cello tutor. Some of his favorite musical memories include Foster Music Camp, KMEA Allstate Orchestra, and his experiences with the Woodford Quartet, a student-led ensemble founded in 2021 and the winners of the 2022 Macauley Chamber Music Competition (High School Division). Joseph is continuing his musical endeavors at the University of Cincinnati College Conservatory of Music, studying under Alan Rafferty. He would like to thank Mrs. Pendley, Dr. J, Greg Marsee, Sila Darville, Ho-Yin Kwok, Shawna Howard, and Marcello Cormio for their innumerable lessons in music, collaboration, and character. Joseph is also immensely grateful to his parents and siblings (Ben, Will, Zel, Agnes, Max, and Maria), for their wisdom, patience, and love.
SENIOR CELEBRATION
Andrea Chandler, clarinet, Woodford County High School
Andrea Chandler is graduating from the Woodford County High School in Versailles. Music is one of her greatest passions and she began as a percussionist in fourth grade. Andrea attributes her successes to all teachers and more especially Erin Casimir, Kelsey Collins, Michael Collins, and Teresa Elliott for instilling a great musical foundation on which she intends to play professionally and also become and educator. She has participated in every ensemble offered in Woodford County Public Schools including symphonic, jazz, and marching bands. Her musical accolades from the Kentucky Music Educator’s Association (KEMA) include invitations to the Disctrict 7 Honor Band each year of middle and high school, distinguished soloist ratings at each sitting, and All-State Symphonic Band. She’s had the honor of performing in Comstock Hall, The Kentucky Center, Singletary Center, Ransdell Chapel, and Hughes Auditorium. Her time with the CKYO’s Concert Orchestra during the 75th season was a pleasant change from usual ensembles that she has participated in. Following a 16-day trip to Europe with the Kentucky Ambassadors of Music, Andrea will continue her instrumental studies in the fall at the University of Kentucky.
Sam Dailey, tenor saxophone, Lafayette High School
Sam Dailey is graduating from the School for Creative and Performing Arts (SCAPA) at Lafayette High School. Sam has played tenor sax in the Jazz Arts Orchestra for two years. He first joined CKYO in 2019 as a member of the Jazz Repertory Orchestra. Sam is lead tenor in the Lafayette Jazz Ensemble and first chair tenor in Lafayette Wind Symphony. He has participated in All-State concert band (2021), All State Jazz Band (2022, 2023) and the Governor's School for the Arts (2022). Sam served as a Drum Major for the Lafayette Marching Band (2022) and is the current President of the Band Student Council. He previously served as low-reed section leader (2021) and class representative (2019, 2020, 2021). He has played in the pit orchestra for Lafayette’s musical productions of Grease (2022) and Newsies (2023). In addition to being in various band ensembles, Sam is a member of the Madrigal choir, Tri-M Music Honor Society, and the National Honor Society. Sam has studied saxophone under the instruction of Lisa Osland and will attend the University of Kentucky in the Fall as a music education major.
Madeline Deep, flute, Henry Clay High School
Madeline Deep, 18, is a senior at the Henry Clay Liberal Arts Academy. She began playing flute at age 11 and shortly after, began studying with Kristy Beers. She has been a member of CKYO since 2017 and is a four-year member of the Henry Clay Wind Ensemble. Throughout high school, Madeline has been a returning member of the KMEA All-State Symphonic Band, the University of Kentucky Honors Wind Ensemble, and the District 7 Honor Band. Over the past few years, Madeline has been lucky to attend festivals such as Philadelphia International Music Festival, the Interlochen Flute Intensive, and internationally, the Orfeo Music Festival. In 2021, she won the CKYO Borchardt Concerto Competition and had the opportunity to perform as a featured soloist with the CKYO Symphony Orchestra. Music also plays an important role in Madeline’s relationship with her community. For a self-designed Senior Seminar, she is studying flute pedagogy and teaching younger students in her middle school. She also performs in recitals at a local church. She will attend Oberlin College and Conservatory in the fall, studying flute performance and neuroscience. Madeline would like to thank her teachers throughout the years, the CKYO staff and Marcello, as well as her family for the support.
SENIOR CELEBRATION
Dorottya Gal, violin, Henry Clay High School
Dorottya Petra Gal is a senior at Henry Clay High School. She began studying violin at the age of nine at Meadowthorpe Elementary School and began studying privately at the age of ten under Rebecca Goff. Dorottya has been studying under Aaron Breek for the past four years. Dorottya's senior year is her sixth year performing in the Central Kentucky Youth Orchestra and her third year performing in the KMEA All-State Orchestra, both most recently as a member of their respective Symphony Orchestras. Dorottya has been a mentor with the CKYO Friends in Music Program for the past three years and has found great joy in helping to foster a supportive learning environment for younger music students. This April, Dorottya served as pit orchestra concertmaster of her school's production of the musical "Into the Woods." Dorottya would like to thank her private teachers Rebecca Goff and Aaron Breek, her school's orchestra director Julie Foster, Friends in Music director Shawna Howard, and CKYO conductor Marcello Cormio for their care and direction. Dorottya will be attending the University of Kentucky this fall and will be double majoring in Violin Performance and Neuroscience.
Daniel Goff, double bass, Paul Laurence Dunbar High School
Daniel Goff began studying bass in 4th grade at Rosa Parks elementary school with orchestra director (and mom) Rebecca Goff. After learning the basics and being accepted into CKYO, he began instruction with Paul Reich who helped him progress up to the Symphony orchestra. He was also able to prepare successful auditions for KMEA’s All State ensembles where he was accepted all four years, which included the dreaded virtual orchestra experience of 2021. Daniel is an avid member of the Boy Scouts of America and was able to achieve the rank of Eagle during his high school years and still enjoys helping younger scouts. He plans to attend Eastern Kentucky University in the fall to major in middle school education and minor in music. He has enjoyed his time in CKYO and would like to thank directors Nancy Campbell, Lois Wiggins and Marcello Cormeo for their direction and musicianship.
Priscilla Higashi violin Lafayette High School
Priscilla Higashi is a senior at Lafayette Senior High School and has been playing in the CKYO Orchestras since 2014. She has been involved in the SCAPA program since the 4th grade and attended the KMEA All state conference for three consecutive years. Priscilla will be attending the University of Kentucky this fall and plans to major in Media studies and participate in the UK college orchestra.
Sophie Hildebrandt, viola, Paul Laurence Dunbar High School
Sophie Hildebrandt is graduating from the Math Science and Technology Center at Paul Laurence Dunbar High School. She first delved into music at the age of 5 when she began taking piano lessons. She then began learning the Viola under Dr. Tzeying Wu at age 15 and recently joined CKYO's Concert Orchestra in 2021, advancing to Symphony in 2022. In addition to CKYO, Sophie began mentoring viola students in the Friends in Music program. She continues to take piano lessons with Ms. Maria LeRose and attended Interlochen's Camp for the Arts in 2021. Outside of her music, Sophie enjoys swimming and filmmaking. She competes in year around swimming as part of her High School's and Highbridge Aquatics' State Teams. Furthermore, she recently directed a short film which premiered at the Kentucky Theater. Sophie will be majoring in Engineering at Purdue University's Honors College in the fall and hopes to continue pursuing her love for music.
SENIOR CELEBRATION
Isaiah Holman, percussion, Madison Central High School
Isaiah Holman is graduating from Madison Central High School and has participated in CKYO for one season. He has been honored to participate in the 2019 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade Marching Band and the EKU Honor Band 2021. He was a part of Madison Central’s Marching Band in 2022 when they were crowned state champions. Additionally, he was a KMEA All-State Band and Percussion Ensemble Member in 2023. Next year, Isaiah will be attending Eastern Kentucky University as a music education major. He would like to thank all his friends and family for their support.
Riley Hooks, viola, Frederick Douglass High School
Riley Hooks, 18, is graduating from Frederick Douglass High’s Biomedical Sciences program. She has been playing viola since 4th grade, and in 2017 she began studying under Dale Jones. She then joined CKYO in 2019 as assistant principal violist of the Concert Orchestra, and in 2021, joined the Symphony Orchestra. She is also a 2-year member of the KMEA All-State Orchestras; principal violist of the Commonwealth Strings in 2022 and a member of the 2023 Symphony Orchestra. She is currently principal violist of the FDHS Chamber Orchestra, and has been a part of the FDHS Orchestra Mentoring program this past year. Aside from viola, Riley is currently Chapter President of her school's Tri-M Music Honor Society, a member of the National Honor Society and Beta Club, and has also been on the Varsity Dance Team. She would like to thank all of her past and present school orchestra teachers, Mrs. Francis, Mrs. Summers, and Mrs. Payne, her private teacher, Dale Jones, maestro Marcello Cormio, and any other mentor she's had for keeping her passion for music alive and making her musical and CKYO journey enjoyable. In the fall, Riley will be attending West Virginia University majoring in Forensic Biology, where she also plans to continue playing viola.
Emily Hu, piano, Paul Laurence Dunbar High School
Emily Hu is currently a senior in the Math, Science, and Technology Center (MSTC) at Paul Laurence Dunbar High School and has been part of Central Kentucky Youth Orchestras for 5 years. She began playing piano at the age of 5 and has since then had the opportunity to play in various orchestras and recital venues, including KMEA All-State Symphony Orchestra. Within Dunbar, she is also a violinist within the symphony orchestra. Apart from her musical interests, she has been involved within various other school activities, including Speech and Debate and scientific research at the University of Kentucky. Emily would like to thank all of her teachers, including Grace Anderson, Miao Hui Lin, Nancy Stelter, and Dr. Irina Voro, for all of their guidance and support, as well as all of her mentors in orchestra and CKYO. She will be attending Massachusetts Institute of Technology in the fall, with an interest in biological engineering.
SENIOR CELEBRATION
Donovan Johnson, percussion, Lafayette High School
Donovan is a senior at Lafayette High School. He began studying percussion at the age of 11 and has spent the last 6 years as a percussionist in CKYO. Aside from orchestra, Donovan was a member of the Dunbar Marching Band (2017-19) and the Lafayette Marching Band (2020-22). Donovan’s love for classical music has culminated this year in becoming a winner of the Borchardt Concerto Competition. Alongside performance, Donovan spends much of his time composing his own music. He plans to attend the University of Kentucky next fall studying piano performance and business finance.
Amber Knight, violin, Lafayette High School
Amber is a senior at Lafayette High School in the SCAPA and Pre-Engineering programs. She has been in CKYO for 9 years and has been in all four orchestras. Amber started playing violin when she was five years old and plans to continue playing throughout college. Amber has been part of many ensembles and theatrical productions but has always held a special place in her heart for CKYO. She plans to attend the University of Kentucky where she can continue to perform on the Singletary stage.
David Lawson, violin, Homeschool
David is from Berea, KY where he grew up singing and playing music within his family’s rich musical heritage of bluegrass and gospel music. He began taking violin lessons at age 9 from Wanda Barnett where he learned both fiddle tunes and classical pieces. He also began singing with his church’s worship team at age 9. He has played violin in CKYO for 5 years. David also plays guitar and piano, and is a worship leader for both youth and adults at his church, where he enjoys teaching and helping other young people learn to play and sing on worship teams.
As a member of his denomination’s youth leadership initiatives, he leads worship and ministry at district and national events. In the Fall of 2023, he will attend Southeastern University in Lakeland, Florida, on an academic scholarship. He plans to study Psychology and Counseling with the intention of becoming a Christian counselor. He will enjoy continuing with the violin as a member of Southeastern’s Orchestra. He would like to thank: His family, Wanda Barnett, Channing Francis, for mentoring throughout high school, Brittany Crepps and Will Reynolds, for discipling as a worship leader.
SENIOR CELEBRATION
Kiefer Lin, violin, Henry Clay High School
Kiefer Lin began playing music when he was 5 and has continued playing since then. From ages 5 to 10 he played piano but switched to pursuing violin from 10 years old onward. In high school, he participated in Henry Clay’s Chamber and Symphonic Orchestras, CKYO, and KMEA’s All-State Orchestra. Each orchestra gave him opportunities to find different music and different people to work and have fun with. Throughout the past four years, orchestra has allowed him to appreciate music as well as the ensemble and camaraderie that come with them. The memories he made in orchestra will be cherished and he will continue to make more as he moves on to Case Western Reserve University in the fall. Lastly, he would love to thank his amazing family, friends, and teachers
Dr.Daniel Mason and Ms.Julie Foster for their continued support over the years. They have made the orchestra experience fun and worthwhile!
Jacob Martin, percussion, Madison Central High School
Jacob is a senior graduating from Madison Central high school. He started piano when he was five years old and moved to percussion about five years later. Around that same time, Jacob became interested in composition and began teaching himself how to compose. CKYO has been a great opportunity for Jacob to learn how to function in an orchestral setting, as well as helping him with writing more orchestral pieces. Jacob participated in marching band as well as the pit orchestra for multiple musicals at Madison Central. He will be attending Middle Tennessee State University for both composition and music production and is excited to see how he can further apply the skills he’s learned. CKYO has definitely developed him into a better musician, and better composer. He’d like to thank his piano teacher Dr. Rachel Taylor for sticking with him for all these years and his parents for convincing him to stick with piano and percussion.
Mique McCallister, tuba, Madison Central High School
Mique McCallister is a senior tuba player at Madison Central High School, and has been a part of CKYO for 2 years. He has played the tuba since the sixth grade, and has been a part of the Madison central marching band and wind ensemble. He has also been a part of KMEA All-State Band, EKU honor band, and UK honor band. Mique plans to attend EKU to major in music performance and sound engineering. Being a part of CKYO has driven his passion for music, and he hopes to be in a professional orchestra as a career.
Sarah Padgett, violin, Lafayette High School
Sarah is a senior at (SCAPA) Lafayette High School. She began playing the violin at the age of 6 and has been a student of Amy and Daniel Carwile for 12 years. Sarah started CKYO in 3rd grade and joined SCAPA a year later. She has been in the CKYO Symphony Orchestra and Lafayette Chamber Orchestra for 3 years. She is also a mentor in the Friends in Music program and a member of the Tri-M Honors Society and National Honors Society. Sarah will attend the University of Kentucky in the fall and pursue a Music Performance degree. She would like to thank all of her mentors who have helped her grow throughout the years and also thank her wonderful friends, father, and grandmother who showed endless support and love!
SENIOR CELEBRATION
Andrew Peng, cello, Bryan Station High School
Andrew Peng is a senior at Bryan Station High School and is in the Spanish Immersion Program, Engineering Academy, and StationArts Program. He began playing the cello at age nine and has studied cello with Professor Benjamin Karp for the past seven years. He has been a member of CKYO for the past eight years and was principal cellist throughout most of high school. He is a recipient of the Lucille Little Scholarship and a winner of the Borchardt Concerto Competition. As a cellist for the CKYO String Quartet, he placed second in the MaCauley Chamber Music Competition in 2023. He participated in KMEA’s All State Symphony Orchestra all four years of high school, serving as principal cellist in 2021, 2022, and 2023. He also attended Kentucky Governor’s School for the Arts in 2021. At school, he is the President of Technology Student Association and BETA Club and the Treasurer of Hispanic Honors Society. He is also a member of the school’s Ambassadors, National Honors Society, Academic Team, and Varsity Golf Team. Andrew would like to extend a huge thanks to CKYO for providing this incredible opportunity. He would also like to give special thanks to Benjamin Karp, Dr. Leah Hagel, Kelly Mayes, Patricia Price, and Marcello Cormio for their mentorship and guidance. Finally, he would like to express his gratitude to his family and friends for their continued support. Andrew will be attending the University of Kentucky in the Lewis Honors College in the fall as a Presidential Scholar, double majoring in Music Performance and Aerospace Engineering.
Daksha Pillai, flute, Paul Laurence Dunbar High School
Daksha Pillai is a senior at the Math, Science, and Technology Center at Paul Laurence Dunbar High School. Since 5th grade, she has been playing the flute under the tutelage of Mrs. Brittany St. Pierre. Daksha and Brittany have, in a sense, grown up together and Daksha is grateful to Brittany for forging her into a better flautist and person. Daksha’s favorite musical moments have been performing Tchaikovsky’s Symphony No. 4 with the CKYO Symphony Orchestra as well as performing “The Swiss Shepherd” from memory in the Singletary Center Concert Hall as the Distinguished Young Woman of Fayette County. By being part of CKYO, Daksha has gained an abundance of unique experiences that she will take with her as she starts at Columbia University this fall.
Luke Reed, trumpet, Madison Central High School
Colin Richey, drumset, Model Laboratory School
Colin Richey is a drummer, percussionist, and composer from Berea, KY. He is currently a member of CKYO’s Jazz Arts Orchestra, but has also performed with the Jazz Repertory Orchestra and Percussion Ensemble. A 2022 alumnus of the Kentucky Governor’s School for the Arts and the Brevard Jazz Institute, Colin has most recently played with the Jazz All-Stars of Central Kentucky and KMEA All-State Jazz Band, and is regularly performing with his band the Parasol Jazz Sextet. He will be graduating from Model Laboratory School and attending the Jazz Studies program at DePaul University in Chicago, IL. Colin would like to thank his family for raising him in a musical world and supporting his creative pursuits like no other. He would also like to thank Mr. Jacob Hamrick, Dr. Raleigh Dailey, and Mr. Eric Sokolowski for pushing his performance to new levels and CKYO for providing invaluable opportunities and a likeminded community. Shouts out to Buddha as well.
SENIOR CELEBRATION
Isaac Schmidt, violin, Lafayette High School
Isaac Schmidt will be graduating from Lafayette High School. He has played violin with CKYO for seven years. During that time he has been selected to play in the KMEA All-State Honors Orchestra. Next year, he will begin an apprenticeship as an elevator technician. He would like to thank his violin teacher, Aaron Breeck, for helping him get this far with the violin. He would also like to thank both of his grandmas for all of their support because it has meant so much to him.
Tyler Smith, trumpet, Madison Central High School
Tyler Smith is a senior at Madison Central High School, and he is currently planning to addend EKU to major in aviation. Tyler has been a part of the Madison Central band program for the past four years, participating in the marching band, wind ensemble, and KMEA All-State Band for the past two years. This year is Tyler’s first year in CKYO he could not be more grateful for the opportunity he has been given. Tyler would like to thank his past band directors and teachers Mr. Kurry Evans, Mr. David Jaggie, Mr. Bryan Crisp, and past graduated seniors for always having high expectations and being there to help him achieve even the toughest goals because, without them, he wouldn’t be where he is today. Finally, he would also like to give an even bigger thanks to his mom, dad, and grandma for always supporting him through his time playing Trumpet from 6th grade and encouraging him even outside of music to keep dedicating himself to achieving his goals and getting to where he wanted to be.
Logan Smith, viola, Frederick Douglass High School
Logan currently plays viola in the CKYO Symphony Orchestra. He is graduating from Frederick Douglass High School. He has been a part of orchestra since fourth grade, and this is his second year in CKYO. He currently serves as concertmaster of the chamber orchestra at Douglass, and has made All State the past two years. He has also participated in the pit orchestras productions of The Little Mermaid and Beauty and the Beast, Tri M Music Honor Society, and fiddle club throughout high school. He will continue his music career at the University of Kentucky this fall. He plans to major in Computer Science and Music.
Ethan Tai, violin, Paul Laurence Dunbar High School
Evelyn Weaver, piano, Lafayette High School
Evelyn Weaver is a senior at Lafayette High School graduating from the SCAPA writing program and Pre-Engineering. They have participated in CKYO’s Jazz Arts and Jazz Repertory Orchestras for both piano and saxophone for 5 years. They are a Governor’s School for the Arts alum for saxophone, a National Merit Finalist, and are excited to join the University of Kentucky’s saxophone studio next year. They are incredibly grateful for their supportive bandmates, teachers, and parents who have encouraged them since day one.
SENIOR CELEBRATION
Luise Wendroth, violin, Lafayette High School
Luise Wendroth is a senior in the Pre-Engineering and SCAPA programs at Lafayette High School. She has been playing the violin since age five and studies under Yeh-Hsin Lin. She is currently the concertmaster of the CKYO Symphony Orchestra and the Lafayette Chamber Orchestra, and has participated in the Kentucky All-State Orchestra program for four years. In the 2021-2022 season, Luise won the Borchardt Concerto Competition. During her summers, she has participated in string festivals such as Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp, Sewanee Summer Music Festival, Governor’s School for the Arts, Musikwoche with the Internationaler Arbeitskreis für Musik in Germany, and Ascent International Chamber Music Festival. She has been a Friends in Music mentor for four years, teaching violinists and violists. Luise has also participated in Lexington Federated Music Club events and received the Harstad Fine Arts Series scholarship prize in 2019. She will attend the University of Kentucky in the fall as a Music Performance major. Luise would like to thank her teachers Yeh-Hsin Lin, Marcello Cormio, Phil Kent, Aaron Breeck, Jessica Tzou, Nancy Campbell, and Dagenais Smiley. Lastly, she would like to thank her friends and family for all of their support and encouragement.
Alden Yorba, violin, Paul Laurence Dunbar High School
Alden Yorba is an 18 year old Senior in the Math, Science and Technology Center program at Paul Laurence Dunbar High School. Alden began playing the violin at age 5. He is the first and only musician in the family and he insisted on playing the violin after hearing a few notes played at an instrument petting zoo. His violin instruction began with Ms. Eloise Lewis and with her encouragement he joined the Central Kentucky Youth Orchestra in 2012. Since 2015 he has continued his violin studies with Dr. Daniel Mason. He and his family are deeply indebted to his teachers who have guided and mentored him in his musical development. In the CKYO Symphony Orchestra, Alden has served as concertmaster, assistant concertmaster and principal second violin. Currently, He is concertmaster of the Dunbar H.S. Orchestra. He has participated in the Kentucky All-State Orchestra all four yeas of high school, performing as concertmaster in 2021 and 2022. He has performed each year in the National Federation of Music Festival and has received distinguished marks. During the summer of 2019, Alden studied at the Summer Strings Academy at the Jacobs School of Music at Indiana University under the guidance of Ms. Erin Aldridge. In 2021, he was a winner of the Borchardt Concerto competition and performed the first movement Vieuxtemps Violin Concerto No. 5 at the CKYO Winter Concert. Outside of music and school, Alden participates in research through the University of Kentucky. Under the mentorship of Dr. Hunter Moseley, he has been investigating the role of microbial contaminants in producing systematic biases in RNA sequencing experiments. He also assists his family on their farm helping to take care of horses, sheep and geese. He is an accomplished equestrian and has enjoyed fox hunting and competed in show jumping. He has won national awards in Tetrathlon, which includes separate phases of running, swimming, show jumping, and target shooting; and has swam with the Georgetown Scott County Supersharks swim team and the Spindletop Barracudas swim team. Alden will be attending Yale University in the fall where he plans to study computer science and economics.
75 th Sea S on o pening Con C ert
Thank you to all our private and school music teachers. CKYO affirms its support for all public and private school instrumental music programs and we recognize, appreciate, and value the critical role private and school music teachers play in the development of all our student musicians. This season, our students come from 15 counties and almost 50 different schools in Central Kentucky.
Thank you to the coaches and guest conductors this semester!
Lydia Elam
Amanda Ellerbe
Rebecca Goff
Benjamin Karp
Margie Karp
PRIVATE TEACHERS
Lawrence Banks
Robin Barker
Wanda Barnett
Dennis Bates
Clyde Beavers
Julie Beck
Kristy Beers
Michael Bourne
Aaron Breeck
Amy Carwile
Daniel Carwile
Joe Ceo
Alexis Cerise
Yoonie Choi
Logan Clark
Kelsey Collins
Michael Collins
Willow Cooper
Bryan Crisp
Kaleb Cruz
Raleigh Dailey
Luke Darville
Sila Darville
Paul Deathrage
Terry Durbin
Lydia Elam
Merrilee Elliott
Teresa Elliott
Paul Engelbrecht
Scott Erickson
Joanne Filkins
Katheryn Fister
Madison Glafenhein
Rebecca Goff
Ho-Yin Kwok
Daniel Mason
Larry Nelson
Sean Radermacher
Paul Reich
Ashley Shoupe
Ian Wasserman
Audrey Worrell
Tze-Ying Wu
Bailey Hall
David Hall
Jacob Hamrick
Chase Hawkins
Kim Heersche
Scott Heersche
Mary Elizabeth Henton
Shawna Howard
Natalie Howe
David Hummel
David Jaggie
Robert Jaggie
Nathan Jasinski
Kody Jernigan
Jerram John
Dale Jones
Madison Jones
Benjamin Karp
Margie Karp
Kristen Kean
Rodney Kern
Rebecca Kiekenapp
Jurang Kim
Hyangwoo Lih
Yeh-Hsin Lin
Joel Lovan
May Man
Darryl Manley
Daniel Mason
Carrie Matheny
Chris Mattingly
Tiffany Mattingly
Carrie Matheny
Tiffany Mattingly
Bill Meyer
Chase Miller
Dezmond Moss
Eric Murine
Colby Norton
Lisa Osland
Paul Reich
Samantha Romashko
Juan Saldivar
Meg Saunders
Andrew Serce
Austin Shoupe
Kallie Snyder
Brittany St. Pierre
Elizabeth Steva
Jonathan Stites
Greg Strouse
Adria Sutherland
Collin Teague
Cara Thomas
Misty Tolle
Irina Voro
Anna Watrous
Bethany Watt
Allison Weitkamp
Anna Wilson
Nathan Wilson
Mark Woods
Travis Woodward
Tze-Ying Wu
Ethan Young
Richard Young
Yaxing Zhao
SCHOOLS AND TEACHERS
SCHOOLS AND TEACHERS
SCHOOL TEACHERS
Sherry Baker
Robin Barker
Kristy Beers
Amy Berryman
Dee Bishop
John Bowmer
Sabrina Bowmer
Patrick Brady
Aaron Breeck
Nancy Campbell
Daniel Carwile
Kelsey Collins
Michael Collins
Aaron Cunningham
Lydia Elam
Amanda Ellerbe
Julie Foster
Dawn Gentry
Rebecca Goff
Mary Elizabeth Henton
Amanda Herceg
Cindy Higgins
Shawna Howard
Michelle Hudson
David Jaggie
Aaron Jones
Brad Keesler
Phil Kent
April Kite
Bill Kite
Nick Lacasse
Ben Lay
Greg Marsee
Kelly Mayes
Ben McWhorter
John Merz
Brian Morgan
Megan Norris
PUBLIC AND PRIVATE SCHOOLS
Anderson County High School
Ashland Elementary
Beaumont Middle School
Bondurant Middle School
Bryan Station High School
Bryan Station Middle School
Cassidy Elementary school
Community Montessori
EJ Hayes Middle School
Frederick Douglass high school
George Rogers Clark High School
Great Crossing High School
Henry Clay High School
Jessie Clark Middle School
Kirksville Elementary
Lafayette High School
Leestown Middle School
Lexington Adventist Academy
Lexington Catholic High School
Lexington Christian Academy
Lexington Latin School
Michael Payne
Sarah Payne
Allyson Rawlings
Daniel Reams
Nicola Rohr
Michelle Sherman
Eric Sokolowski
Jonathan Stites
Ellyn Washburne
Allison Weitkamp
Charles Weitkamp
Andrea Wilson
Nathan Wilson
Michael Wooley
Lauren Wright
Wendy Yates
Chris Strange
Liberty Elementary School
Madison Central High School
Meadowthorpe Elementary
Model Laboratory School
Morton Middle School
Paul Laurence Dunbar High School
Sayre School
SCAPA Bluegrass
Scott County Middle School
Stamping Ground Elementary
Tates Creek High School
Tates Creek Middle School
The Lexington School
Trinity Christian Academy
Veterans Park Elementary School
West Jessamine High School
West Jessamine Middle School
Winburn Middle School
Woodford County High School
Woodford County Middle School
CELEBraTING 75 YEARS!
A special thank you to the individuals, corporations, and foundations that have made generous gifts in support of CKYO students and programs.
This list recognizes contributions made from July 1, 2022 thru April 28, 2023. Every effort has been made to ensure that those recognized in all categories are accurate. To request a correction, please send an email to ckyo@ckyo.org.
Founder's Circle
($25,000+)
LexArts
Louise Shouse
Bob Stadelman
Conductor's Circle
($10,000 - $24,999)
LA Phil Partners in Music Learning
Team Kentucky Nonprofit Assistance Fund
President's Circle
($5,000 - $9,999)
Kentucky Arts Council
MacAdam Early Childhood Education & Literacy Fund at the Blue Grass Community Foundation
Orchestra's Circle
($2,500 - $4,999)
Timothy Gregg
Honorable Order of the Kentucky Colonels
Partners for Youth Stites and Harbison
Encore ($1,000 - $2,499)
Stephen & Jane Auer
Eva Beach Ching
James L. & Mary D. Clarke
Patricia Craig
Vivian Clark & Bryan Gilliam Foundation
Donna & Ken Groetsch
Deirdre Lyons
Mary Kay Rayens
Roop Family Foundation
Ovation ($500-$999)
Larry & Carol Beach
Charitable Fund
Bensing Family
Carrie & David Cardwell
Caron Caton
John & Karen Cosby
Case Davis & Cynthia Kito Family
Kristy Deep
Fister Family
Fraser Family
Carol & Ron Hustedde
Lexington Inaugural Committee
Pat & Joe McGrannahan
William Rayens
Becky Reinhold
Rebecca Self
Judge Wilson
Vivace ($250-$499)
JP Morgan Charitable Foundation
Mary Jo Anderson
Stuart Carpenter
Cerise Family
Conley Family
Cormio Family
Dickey Family
The Fan Family
Gensel Family
Goff Family
Headley Whitney Museum
Hildebrandt Family
Kudrimoti Family
Stan & Janice Kummer Fund
McKinney Family
The Miller Mott Family
Nardolillo Family
Patricia Price
Meredith Raybould
Lesli Rosier
Tay Family
Suzanne Thompson
Kerstin & Ole Wendroth
Wong Family
Presto
($100-$249)
Lisa Adkins
Tanya Amyx Berry
Anderson Family
Eryn Arnold & Family
Ben & Beth Arnold
Badgett Family
Hallie Gay Bagley
Baker Family
The Beck Family
Beeram Family
Bellber Family
Kit Bingham
Cody Birdwell
Anne E. Bolton
Marie Bradshaw
Jim and Pat Bramlage
Bramlage Family
Braunecker Family
Elinor Brown Family
Bush Family
Byerly Family
Tracy Campbell
Carey Family
Dwight Carpenter
Nancy Carpenter & Jeffrey Davis
Caswell Family
Chang Family
Haipeng Chen Family
Daniel Chetel
Matthew Clarke
Colbert Family
Choi Family
Kirsten Clingerman
Cobb Family
Kenneth Collier
Chelsea Compton
Copeland Family
Martha Copeland
Cosgrove Family
Julia Costich
Crank and Boom
Culp-Millán Family
Dang Family
Jeremiah & Anna Day
Dearinger Family
Deep Family
Charles Deep
Detjen Family
Cloie Dobias
Robin Dodd Family
Duclos-Martin Family
Sandy Dunn
Edington Family
Nikki D Egan
Ellis Family
Elms Family
Matt Falco
Farfan Family
Farrar Family
Stephanie Farrar
Beth Florence
Hans & Cherie Flueck
Francis Family
Fu Family
Gal Family
Benjamin Gallagher
Miller Gaunce
Gould Family
Graham Family
Gravil Family
Greer Portrait Studio
Pamela Grigsby
Grissom Family
SUPPORTERS
