Harp Ensemble Presents Virtual Performance Videos

The AYPO Harp Ensemble was hard at work throughout the last few months of our 2019-2020 season. Each member of the ensemble was responsible for performing their own part for some final virtual performance pieces, since the ensemble was unable to perform their final concert on the season on May 9, 2020. Check out their virtual performances of Beauty and the Beast as well as original AYPO Harp Ensemble variations on Pagageno’s Theme from Mozart’s The Magic Flute. Each member of the Harp Ensemble wrote their own variation of the theme for the Papageno Variation compilation!

AYPO Chamber Ensemble Presents Digital Project 2020

Throughout the current COVID-19 crisis, AYPO has continued to provide exceptional music education opportunities for our musicians. In late March, after the Virginia stay-at-home order was set in place, the AYPO Chamber Ensemble Program began adapting their current musical work to a digital platform. Each of the four Chamber Ensemble groups were to meet weekly with the AYPO Chamber Ensemble Directors, Claire Eichhorn, Ricardo Cyncynates, and Anna Balakerskaia for coaching sessions via Zoom. The students were also given benchmarks for each week in order to make progress on their end goal. Challenges included learning how to use the existing technology, intonation, playing musically and together, as well as handling the dramatic psychological challenges we all face during this difficult time.

AYPO happily presents the Chamber Ensemble Digital Project 2020. A culmination of a season’s hard work and a virtual adaptation of our annual final Chamber Ensemble Recital. Enjoy!

Beethoven Quintet for Piano and Winds, Op. 16
Mathuin Smith, oboe; Mira Kim, clarinet; Claire Wang, piano; Layne Parks, French horn; Gracie Moore, bassoon

Brahms Clarinet Quintet in B minor, Op. 115
Ethan Morad, clarinet; David Kirchenbauer, violin; Malva de Boor, violin; Justin Yi, viola; Romain-Olivier Gray, cello

Brahms Clarinet Trio in A minor, Op. 114
Noah Portner, clarinet; Olivia Bond, cello; Daniel Lee, piano

Debussy Sonata for Flute, Viola, and Harp
John Czekanski, viola; Helen Freeman, flute; Arwen Chandler, harp

Listen: Alumnus Brian Hong (violin) performs with AYP (January 2020)

Check out recordings from our January AYP concert with AYPO Alumnus, Brian Hong! He performed Sibelius’ Violin Concerto, Op. 47 with the American Youth Philharmonic as a guest soloist, followed by an expressive encore performance of Variations on Amazing Grace (arranged by Ning Kam).

A snippet from our interview with Brian:

Q: What is your favorite thing about performing Sibelius’ Violin Concerto, Op. 47?

A: Jean Sibelius treats the violin and orchestra differently than any other composer to my ears. Both the solo and orchestral lines intertwine and emerge from one another as a single, organic musical mass that glows with a beautifully expansive Nordic tonal palette. This piece is an exhausting emotional journey, from the frosty and angsty first movement, to the deep love poem of the second, and the triumphant, galloping heroism of the third.

AYPO performance dedication to emergency services

A special thank you to all those in emergency services across the United States and world. Please enjoy this musical performance dedication, which includes Samantha Lu (American Youth Concert Orchestra, co-concertmaster) and her family.

Notice Regarding AYPO's 20-21 Audition Process

Dear AYPO Community, 

Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, AYPO has continued creative programming by providing remote digital learning experiences for our students. Traditionally, we hold our in-person auditions in early June. This year, however, we will be transitioning to a video audition process. We believe this is the best way to protect the health and safety of our students and staff. 

For the approaching 20-21 Season Auditions, we are making the following changes which we hope will ease the process for all applicants. Please read carefully, and if you have questions do not hesitate to send an email to auditions@aypo.org.

1. We will not host live, in-person auditions in June. AYPO will require a video submission of your prepared audition materials, due Monday, June 1, 2020. Instructions on how to submit a video audition can be found here. 

2. We are currently in the process of developing online auditions support for any who feel the need for additional advice and guidance. We will post more information on the website as soon as it is available.

3. New percussion applicants, please see updated audition excerpts here. 

4. Current (19-20) flute, harp, clarinet, percussion, and chamber ensemble participants, please see the information in your weekly emails regarding your specific audition process. 

5. If you have an extenuating circumstance (e.g. you do not have access to your audition instrument or equipment to make a video), please write to auditions@aypo.org. 

We will be in frequent touch with our AYPO community throughout the remainder of the season in regards to any updates considering auditions. Stay healthy!  

Sincerely,

AYPO Administrative & Artistic Staff

AYPO Flute Ensemble E-Performs Somewhere Over the Rainbow

The AYPO Flute Ensemble, led by Dr. Laura Kaufman Mowry, has been working hard rehearsing their music while simultaneously practicing social distancing during the COVID-19 outbreak. The musicians from the Flute Ensemble have all worked separately on their parts preparing an e-performance of Somewhere Over the Rainbow.

Enjoy and stay healthy!

AYPO Update on Season Events

Dear AYPO Staff, Parents and Students,

I am sure that you have all been watching the announcement from the Governor of Virginia, Ralph Northam, stating that all schools will remain closed until the end of the academic year. Needless to say, this is news we were hoping never to hear! I want to give you a positive message from AYPO.

All sorts of programs are being severely impacted by the current crisis, and we are no exception as now all AYPO rehearsals and performances are cancelled for the remainder of the season. As you know, the Artistic Staff is putting its creative minds to finding effective ways to maintain the momentum of our activity for the students. I urge every student and parent to take full advantage of what is offered. Online learning is now the message we all carry, and I am delighted by the creativity of our staff in finding ways to stay in contact with their ensembles and orchestras. Of course it is not the same as having in-person weekly contact, but we will all learn valuable lessons from this enforced experience. Our greatest asset is our extraordinarily gifted and committed staff, and our gifted students and engaged parents. Together we will weather this and bounce back in September. 

New details are being refined for video auditions for next season. We are also aiming to assist any who would like guidance in preparing their audition (and those who may be temporarily unable to work with their private teacher). When we have the full details worked out over the next few days, we will let you know.

Meanwhile, I encourage those of you already in the program to send in your application for audition as soon as possible. Our numbers have been climbing each year, so the sooner we receive your application, the sooner we can get ahead with planning the adjudication of the entries. 

There have been some outstanding successes this season, and more were in the pipeline, but they will be carried forward to next season. Make sure that you are with us to benefit!

Please be in touch with me, or my colleagues to answer any questions or concerns you might have. In the meantime, stay safe and healthy.

Sincerely,

Graham Elliott 
Executive Director

AYPO Chamber Ensemble Program Returns to the State Department

We congratulate members of our award-winning Chamber Ensemble program for another successful performance at the U.S. State Department on Wednesday, March 11, 2020. This was their second appearance there this season. Dr Sonya Kim, the concert organizer at the State Department, wrote :

“The Ensembles of the AYPO gave terrific performances today at the  State Department. The audience was very pleased to hear highly talented and achieved young musicians. They learned how diligently the young musicians practiced for this level of performance. We thank the orchestra leadership as well.”

She went on to offer a standing invitation for groups to play for them. 

American Youth String Ensemble takes home Grand Champion trophy at the ASTA National Orchestra Festival

Congratulations to the American Youth String Ensemble members for winning Middle School Grand Champion in the 2020 ASTA National Orchestra Festival! Middle school groups competed in the festival on Friday, March 6th in Orlando, Florida.

Our second youngest orchestra, the American Youth String Ensemble (AYSE), was selected with six similar aged groups from around the country to take part in the recent American String Teachers Festival in Orlando, FL. It is a matter for justifiable pride, and a recognition of the high standards maintained across the AYPO programs, that the ensemble won the first prize as Grand Champion in their sector. The ASTA festival is regarded as the premiere event for string orchestras in the United States.

We are incredibly proud of our students, who played with artistry and finesse on a demanding program. We are so thankful to everyone who helped to make this happen: Laura Cahn and Doug Wallace for their superior artistic leadership, our wonderful chaperones who worked tirelessly to make sure the trip was a success, and to the American String Teachers Association for this tremendous opportunity.

[Further information from Dr Graham Elliott; Executive Director, AYPO. Email: gelliott@aypo.org Tel: 703-642-8053]

LETTER FROM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR REGARDING CORONAVIRUS (COVID-19)

Friday, March 13, 2020
ANNANDALE, VA

To all members of the AYPO community:

Two days ago, I sent out a message to all involved in AYPO to explain the situation as it then existed, and our constant monitoring of the coronavirus situation. The announcements that Loudoun County Public Schools are closing for more than a week and that Fairfax County has cancelled community use events through April 12th impacts what AYPO is doing.

In the previous message, I stated "Since we draw students from neighboring counties, we feel that any school system closure in the following should trigger the decision to suspend activity for however long the advisory lasts: Loudoun County Public Schools, Arlington Public Schools, Alexandria City Public Schools, and Fairfax County Public Schools.” The closure of Loudoun Public schools, and the restriction on access to FCPS, therefore triggers our own decision to suspend activity.

After consultation with the AYPO conductors, we have decided to cancel all activity up to, and including, spring break. All normal activities, will recommence on Monday, 13th April. 

There will be some inevitable impact on planned performances, but we will work to mitigate that impact. To maintain momentum the conductors and ensemble directors will maintain, through the office, contact with their students. They will find creative ways to keep students engaged and active in order to have the minimum impact on their learning and performance development. The AYPO office staff will continue to work as usual. 

The following AYPO activities and events are now cancelled:

• Music Buddies sessions on 3/13, 3/27, 4/3

• Monday rehearsals on 3/16, 3/23, 3/30

• VA Harp Festival rehearsal & performance on March 20th

• AYP Dress Rehearsal on Saturday, March 21st

• AYP Concert on Sunday, March 22nd [we will seek to find a viable alternative date for this program]

• AYPO Community Outreach Performance @ Lincolnia, March 25th

• AYPO Community Outreach Performance @ Brightview, March 28th

• AYPO Chamber Ensemble Masterclass, March 29th

• AYP Side-by-side rehearsal with NSO on Monday, March 30th

Dr. Graham Elliott
Executive Director

Alumnus, Brian Hong, talks AYPO and Sibelius

AYPO Alumnus, Brian Hong, will perform Sibelius’ Violin Concerto, Op. 47 with the American Youth Philharmonic as a guest soloist on Sunday, January 19th. In celebration of this performance, Brian reminisced on his time at AYPO, provided some insights into his career as a musician, and gave advice for aspiring musicians today.

Which AYPO ensembles did you play in and how long?

I started in the String Ensemble in 2004 at the age of 11, continuing on in the Symphonic Orchestra and the Philharmonic Orchestra, and was fortunate to have the opportunity to lead the latter two ensembles.  I fondly remember my years in AYP under the direction of Luis Haza and then Daniel Spalding.

What musicians inspire you and why?

The musicians who inspire me the most embody musical versatility and sensitivity alongside warmth and kindness.  It is my belief that one must have the ability to adapt in the moment and to mold their playing to their situation, and to do so with openness and humility.  I have lately been seeking inspiration from wonderful violinists such as Isabelle Faust, Christian Tetzlaff, and Vilde Frang, violists such as Tabea Zimmermann and Kim Kashkashian, and cellists such as Nicolas Altstaedt, Steven Isserlis, and Jean-Guihen Qeuyras.

What is your favorite thing about performing Sibelius’ Violin Concerto, Op. 47?

Jean Sibelius treats the violin and orchestra differently than any other composer to my ears. Both the solo and orchestral lines intertwine and emerge from one another as a single, organic musical mass that glows with a beautifully expansive Nordic tonal palette. This piece is an exhausting emotional journey, from the frosty and angsty first movement, to the deep love poem of the second, and the triumphant, galloping heroism of the third.

What is your favorite memory of being in AYPO? 

I recently listened to a recording of Sibelius' First Symphony and was reminded of my experience playing it in AYSO.  This was the first symphonic work that I fell deeply in love with from a performance perspective, and I still remember that moment in rehearsal when I realized that the orchestra is truly greater than the sum of its parts, and how it is capable of producing magic when everyone works together.  

Do you have any advice for young musicians interested in pursuing a career in music? 

I would encourage any young musician to indulge and develop their curiosity.  The world of music is a profoundly deep one, and our connections with composers, pieces, teachers, and colleagues must all be developed and nurtured.  Ask questions, study scores, and read and perform lots and lots of chamber music!  Only then do we truly discover what it is that we each love about music, and that is the source of our continued inspiration and growth.

Come hear Brian Hong perform Sibelius’ Violin Concerto, Op. 47 on Sunday, January 19th at the Duke Ellington School of the Arts at 3pm.