Syracuse Symphony Orchestra

SYRACUSE, NY – Daniel Hege will conduct the Syracuse Symphony Orchestra (SSO), Syracuse Symphony Youth Orchestra (SSYO) and Syracuse Symphony Youth String Orchestra (SSYSO) at the annual Side-by-Side concert on Sunday, March 14, 2010 at the Mulroy Civic Center at 2:00 p.m. This concert features a performance of Marc Mellits’ world premiere piece, Octet. Additionally, the winners of the Syracuse Symphony Youth Orchestra (SSYO) and the Civic Morning Musicals (CMM) 40th-Annual Concerto competition will perform their winning pieces. This year’s winners were selected on February 13, in a final round judged by SSO Music Director Daniel Hege and SSYO Conductor James Tapia.

The winners for this year’s competition are Cecilia Lee, violin; Adam Rothenberg, piano and Mark Sieling, piano.

The concert begins with the SSYSO’s performance of Rimsky-Korsakov’s Russian Easter Overture. Then, an octet of SSYO and SSO musicians will premiere Marc Mellits’ Octet. The SSO will then accompany SSYO/CCM Concerto Competition winners. Lastly, the SSO and SSYO combined orchestras will perform Berlioz’s Roman Carnival Overture and Tchaikovsky’s 1812 Overture. For more extensive program information please contact Jennifer at jluzzo@syracusesymphony.org.

Tickets are $12 and can be purchased by calling the box office at (315) 424-8200 or (800) 724-3810, or by visiting www.syracusesymphony.org.

Concerto Competition Winners
 
Cecilia Lee, violinist, is a senior at Fayetteville-Manlius High School. She began her studies at the age of five with Seulki Kim and continues her studies with Jim Krehbiel. She has been a member of the Syracuse Symphony Youth Orchestra since ninth grade. She has been the associate concertmaster of the New York Conference All-State String Orchestra and concertmaster of the New York Area All-State Symphony Orchestra. She has also been a member of the Limestone Quartet since 2006. Miss Lee plans to continue her studies in violin performance.

Adam Rothenberg, pianist, is a junior at Liverpool High School. He is a student of Dr. Steven Rosenfield. Mr. Rothenberg won first place and the Mendelssohn prize in the 2009 Patricia DeAngelis Youth Piano Festival. He was also one of 11 pianists in New York State chosen to perform in the Piano Showcase at the 2009 NYSSMA Winter Conference. He frequently performs with local choral ensembles and served as musical director for three summer benefit concerts for Make-a-Wish Foundation. Mr. Rothenberg also performs cello in the SSYO and studies cello with George Macero of the SSO. He plans to pursue a degree in Piano Performance following high school.

Mark Sieling, pianist, is a senior at Manlius Pebble Hill School. He plans on attending the Crane School of Music for piano performance next fall. He studies with Dr. Paul Wyse and Rosalie Spitzer. He has won second prize in the 2009 Thousand Islands International Competition, CNYAMT Advanced Piano Competition and the 2008 Patricia DeAngelis Youth Piano Festival. He has been a three-time finalist in the SSYO/CMM Concerto Competition. Mr. Sieling plays trombone in the SSYO, sings with MPH Opus 16 and enjoys composing new music.

40th-Annual Concerto Competition

For four decades, the SSO/CMM has co-sponsored the Youth Concerto Competition. This competition gives talented musicians grades seven through 12 a chance to compete for the opportunity to perform with the Syracuse Symphony Orchestra. Auditions are held late fall/early winter and winners are invited to perform as soloists during the annual Side-by-Side concert.

Syracuse Youth Symphony Orchestra

James Tapia, conductor

Founded in 1970, the Syracuse Symphony Youth Orchestra draws its membership from over 25 Central New York School Districts. The musicians are selected through an audition process and rehearse on Sunday afternoons during the academic year.

The orchestra performs works from the orchestral repertoire as well as modern works by American composers. SSYO members participate in sectional rehearsals coached by members of the Syracuse Symphony Orchestra, the SSYO's parent organization. These talented young musicians continue a long tradition of musical and artistic excellence that is a hallmark of the Central New York community.

Syracuse Symphony Youth String Orchestra

Muriel Bodley, conductor

Founded in 1995, the Syracuse Symphony Youth String Orchestra provides an opportunity for area string players to gain experience in orchestral playing and explore the string orchestra literature. The musicians are selected through an audition process held in June, and rehearse on Sunday afternoons from September to November and March to May.

In 2001, due to the large number of very talented students within the SSYSO, a Chamber Ensemble was formed to provide a more challenging performance opportunity for these outstanding young musicians. 

Conductor Bios
 
James Tapia, Conductor
This is James Tapia’s first season directing the Syracuse Symphony Youth Orchestra. He succeeds Kenneth Andrews, who held the position from 2000-2008. Dr. Tapia holds the positions of Music Director of the Syracuse University Symphony Orchestra and Chair of SU's Orchestral Studies/Strings Department. Last season Dr. Tapia joined the SSYO twice as a guest conductor.

Tapia focuses on education as well as conducting. He has conducted the renowned All-State Michigan Youth Symphony Orchestra and the Four State Festival Orchestra and has been asked to guest conduct throughout the United States, Canada, France, England, Holland, and Korea. He has studied conducting Gustav Meier, Jerry Junkin, Fiora Contino, Louis Lane, Henry Charles Smith, David Axe, and Andrew Galos and participated in master classes with Pierre Boulez, Larry Rachleff, Carl St. Clair, Irwin Hoffman, and Jah Jah Ling.

Muriel Bodley has achieved national recognition for her outstanding efforts in advancing public school string education. She has been the conductor of the Syracuse Symphony Youth String Orchestra since 1995 and conductor of the Chamber Orchestra of the SSYSO – created to give more advanced members of the SSYSO the opportunity to perform additional and more challenging repertoire during the season, since its inception in 2001. Bodley earned both Bachelor and Master of Music degrees from the Crane School of Music. She is on the faculty of Christian Brothers Academy and performs with the LeMoyne Chamber Orchestra.