Six MCPS Students Earn Seats with National Youth Orchestra Programs, Prepare for Summer Tours
MCPS student musicians Kyle Cho, Katie Hwang and Mason Lee were selected to participate in the National Youth Orchestra of the United States of America (NYO-USA). MCPS students Jonathan Henderson, Chloe Robertson and Issac Won were selected to participate in its junior counterpart, NYO2. These orchestras are free, prestigious programs that bring together exceptional young musicians from across the country.
NYO brings together approximately 100 musicians ages 16–19, while NYO2 includes around 90 musicians aged 14–16. Both orchestras rehearse for two weeks at Purchase College, SUNY, then give a send‑off concert at Carnegie Hall’s Stern Auditorium / Perelman Stage before embarking on overseas tours.
The admissions process is selective and includes a range of diverse participants from across the U.S.
“The application was pretty intense,” said violist Katie, returning to NYO for a second year. “It included five orchestral excerpts, a solo piece, a video essay and a written response about why I wanted to join. It was definitely challenging, but it really made me think about how much I've grown as a musician and what music means to me.”
Jonathan, a violist for NYO2, called the process “rigorous and competitive but fair,” noting acceptances, waitlists and declines arrive in February after a panel of professional musicians reviews every submission.
Students first head to Purchase College, SUNY, for two intensive weeks of rehearsals.
“I was in NYO2 last year and it was really fun spending time at Purchase College with the other members of the orchestra,” said Issac, who will play trumpet with NYO2. “I made a lot of new friends and had a blast playing music with them. I feel like I started enjoying music even more than I did before because of my experience there last year and I'm really looking forward to going again.”
Each group will perform at Carnegie Hall’s Stern Auditorium before heading overseas.
NYO students, Kyle, Katie and Mason, will tour Japan, China and South Korea.
“The Asia tour still feels unreal,” Katie said. “I honestly don't think I'll ever get another chance to play in venues like these.” The venues include Osaka Symphony Hall, Hong Kong Cultural Centre and the Seoul Arts Center.
“I am incredibly excited for this! I’ve been hoping to be in this orchestra for the longest time,” said Mason, bassist for NYO. “It will be my first time traveling across the world!”
NYO2 students Jonathan, Chloe and Issac will tour in Europe.
“I am looking forward to playing on the biggest stage at Carnegie Hall,” said Chloe, a bassoon player. “I am also very excited to go to Scotland because it will be the first time I will travel outside of the United States.”
Beyond the travel, the musicians are excited about the repertoire and the camaraderie. Additionally, the students will learn from and play with world-renowned conductors and professional musicians.
“I'm looking forward to creating lifelong friends and memories and playing music with some of the best young musicians on this planet,” Jonathan said.
“At NYO2, I am most excited about meeting new people who are also passionate about music,” Chloe said. “I am looking forward to playing with a prestigious ensemble, since that is an opportunity that does not come to me often.”
“I'm really looking forward to playing music with many talented musicians from around the country and visiting Edinburgh,” said Issac.
“I'm especially looking forward to getting to perform with Ray Chen and Clara-Jumi Kang,” said Katie. “They're both such incredible musicians, and I still can't believe I get to share the stage with them.”
“I'm also looking forward to the repertoire,” said Mason. “In particular, I'm excited to perform Rachmaninoff's Symphony No. 2, which, in my opinion, has one of the greatest climaxes in all of classical music.”
After the summer tour, while most of the students are heading back to MCPS classrooms, Katie is heading to Vanderbilt University to double major in music and earth and environmental sciences, and Mason is heading to Rice University to double major in mathematics and music.
