The Chattanooga Symphony & Opera Youth Orchestras are celebrating 30 years of instructing and inspiring young musicians in the Chattanooga area.
In the fall of 1985, the CSO Youth Orchestras were “born”. There had been earlier manifestations of a youth orchestra in Chattanooga, but for several years had been nonexistent. With the merger of the Chattanooga Symphony and the Chattanooga Opera, there was new energy and enthusiasm for a rebirth of an orchestra for young people under the auspices of the newly created CSO.
Thanks to the leadership of Mary Barker, Linda Pennebaker, Kay Smith, Sandy Morris, and Linda Thompson, the orchestra was organized and launched on its 30-year adventure. Conductors include Orlo Gilbert, Philip Rice, Jay Craven, David Conn, and Gary Wilkes, who is serving in his 23rd year as music director and conductor.
The CSOYO will kick-off its 30th anniversary with youth performances and an instrument petting zoo during Park(ing) Day on Friday.
The CSOYO park will be on Market Street between MLK and 8th Streets. It will have mini cupcakes to hand out to visitors while supplies last, and students will perform from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. The instrument petting zoo will be available from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. The CSOYO also hopes to reach out to the many alumni, former board members, staff members, and conductors of the youth orchestras from the past 30 years.
Anyone who is a CSOYO alumnus should contact them through the website at www.csoyo.chattanoogasymphony.org.
More 30th anniversary events will be listed on its website as they are announced.