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A recent topic in this space focused on the New Brunswick Youth Orchestra and included references to some impressive highlights the group experienced in the past few years, including being asked to perform at Carnegie Hall, as well as the opportunity to learn and perform in Italy and China.
The article that appeared on Saturday also touched base on an upcoming adventure in Vienna this July.
There are 12 members of the NBYO who reside in the Metro Moncton area and they are all signed up to participate in the trip to the Summa Cum Laude Youth Festival and Competition; and along with a concert set for Convocation Hall in Sackville Jan. 16, this became an opportune time to profile these local members, who all speak admirably about the worldly experiences that are helping to shape their lives.
Allie Kwon, who plays second violin, and Kelly An, a cellist, make up the youngest members of the New Brunswick Youth Orchestra from our community.
They are both first-year high school students at Bernice MacNaughton and Riverview High Schools, respectively. For Kwon, as with many other musicians in the orchestra, being a part of the ensemble has been valuable.
"It's very, very important to me in many ways," she states. "Music often controls my mind. It often makes me happy."
While Miss An aspires to be a dentist, she appears to agree as she lists the activity as an important part of her life as well.
"Music is a special hobby that I could enjoy for the rest of my life. I like the way music sounds with all kinds of instruments put out together," she comments.
Meanwhile, on the other end of the spectrum, we find Chantal LeBlanc (flute), and Jeremie Maillet-LeBlanc (trumpet). Both study at l'Université de Moncton. Chantal has a performance degree and is pursuing her master's degree and desires to make a living from playing music.
When describing her feelings towards the Youth Orchestra, she says, "It's like a big team that has the same goal - to make music that can inspire people. It also motivates me to practise and play my best to contribute to this group. I still remember how I felt when I was in a tutti rehearsal for the first time, it's the same feeling that brings me back to the orchestra year after year."
Maillet-LeBlanc, meanwhile, is a fourth-year engineering student who, despite having many interests outside of music, has remained with the group.
"Keeping in touch with my trumpet, it is one of the rare occasions for me to hang onto my trumpet, especially having studies that are not related to music," she says.
Deciding to join the approximately 75 members of the New Brunswick Youth Orchestra could be an excellent challenge to any student, from teenagers to young adults, who can get excited about enhancing their orchestral skills and talents.
In the words of oboe player and student at Riverview High, Abigail de Niverville, many members claim, "It's a way to express yourself and convey different emotions."
Included in that school of thought is cellist Alexandra MacLeod, who attends Bernice MacNaughton High School and admits, "I've been playing an instrument since I was five, so it has always been a big part of my life. I love music and making music. It is calming to me and my life would be weird without it."
Oboe player Alexandre Coholan of Ecole L'Odyssée concurs, as does flutist Madeleine Park, who attends Moncton High.
She takes away an even deeper meaning and remarks, "I enjoy meeting lots of people and playing with various instruments, creating magnificent sound.
"I love when people get touched when I perform and I am happy that I can give the public joy through music."
Percussionist Christine Gollan studies at Polyvalente Mathieu-Martin and says self-expression is her prime motivator also.
Jae-Young Chong on cello, and fellow MacNaughton High student Lauren Barnes, tend to agree with violinist Julie Wasson of Harrison Trimble High that discovery through music and the joy of meeting and playing with other like-minded musicians are also compelling reasons to join this ensemble.
According to their website, the New Brunswick Youth Orchestra is "always looking for outstanding talent on orchestral instruments. Although a considerable commitment is demanded from our orchestra members, we provide a great deal in return, both to the orchestra membership and to the Province. Indeed, we are the 'Provincial Youth Orchestra;' as we often represent the Province in many of our activities."
n Terry Parker's column appears daily. Terry owns and operates Entertainment Plus, a mobile disc jockey and entertainment company. Want to contribute to Terry Parker's People with your questions and comments? Contact Terry at 859-2356 or terryp62@gmail.com.
