Contributed by Kim Levesque, Mat Su Youth Orchestra
The Mat Su Youth Orchestra (MSYO) began at a time when there were few opportunities for developing musicians in the Valley to play in a community string orchestra. In 2010, conductor and music teacher, Kai West, had a vision to support music education in the community by providing a large-group setting in the form of a string orchestra where developing musicians can learn performance skills, build confidence, and perform with their peers in public venues. With the support and guidance of The Mat Su Orchestra, private instructor Debbie Davis, and accomplished strings musician, Judy Montalbano, the small community group was formed.
The group has grown significantly over the years by word of mouth, adding music teacher Melanie Keenan, and a dedicated group of adult volunteers who strive to provide a quality program for string musicians who can read and play music at an early-intermediate to intermediate level. In January 2019, the group formally organized as a non-profit organization, and has submitted an application for tax-exempt status. This step will allow MSYO to expand the program, whose professionals work on a volunteer-only basis, to accommodate more musicians and accept public support.
MSYO musicians play violin, viola, cello and double bass; the orchestra also welcomes percussion and piano. The group has a great time exploring music by playing selections from many different genres, such as classical, jazz, Celtic, bluegrass, zydeco, pop, rock, Broadway musicals, folk, blues, Latin and spiritual; they are always looking for new musical scores to challenge developing musicians. Rehearsals provide opportunities to learn technical skills, and play cooperatively with other musicians to improve musicality with support from highly qualified music instructors and accomplished musicians. Musicians from throughout the community are invited to participate in the orchestra, which has a diverse group of members who love to have fun and play great music together.
The Mat Su Youth Orchestra also welcomes opportunities to perform. They host two concerts a year, one for the holidays and another in the spring. Both concerts this year will be at the Valley Performing Arts, but you may also see MSYO at scheduled community events and festivals. This year, the MSYO will be performing on December 14th at 3:00pm for the Nativity Display during Colony Christmas in Palmer. The location is available in the Colony Christmas schedule of events.
You will see members of the orchestra in school music activities, Valley Performing Arts productions, college orchestras, and the Mat Su Orchestra who plays at a more advanced level. Our community has grown, and is now blessed with many opportunities for people to participate in quality theater, band, orchestra and other fine arts programs.
MSYO makes every effort to adjust their calendar to avoid conflicts with other musical groups and performances so our members may participate in a variety of arts activities. The Mat Su Youth Orchestra believes participating in as many musical opportunities as possible helps musicians grow in skill and confidence whether going on to perform professionally, on a community level, or for their own pleasure as a lifelong musician.
For musicians wishing to play in the Mat Su Youth Orchestra, there will be a brief winter break after the Holiday concert in December. The MSYO 2019/2020 season will resume in January with new music in preparation for a spring performance. Rehearsals are held currently in Wasilla, Alaska on Thursday evenings.
A new website is under construction and will be launched by the end of the year to provide information about the group and its schedule. In the meantime, interested musicians may call (907) 373-6763 or email thewest@mtaonline.net with inquiries about the program.
