History
The Cleveland Orchestra Youth Orchestra, one of northern Ohio’s premiere musical destinations for serious young musicians, is celebrating its 25th season during 2010-11. Since its inception in 1986, the Youth Orchestra has performed more than 130 concerts and has provided a musical home to more than 1200 talented young musicians. Students continue to be awed by the scope and quality of the orchestral experience afforded to them and to anticipate eagerly the start of each season.
In 1984, Jahja Ling was engaged as associate conductor of The Cleveland Orchestra. With three years as founding director of the San Francisco Symphony Youth Orchestra and a vision for Cleveland, he established the Cleveland Orchestra Youth Orchestra in 1986 and served as its music director for six seasons. Mr. Ling served as The Cleveland
Orchestra’s resident conductor and as Blossom Festival director. He is now music director of the San Diego Symphony.
The Youth Orchestra receives generous support from the Martha Holden Jennings Foundation and The Surdna Foundation. Endowment gifts also support the Youth Orchestra.
Gareth Morrell, former Cleveland Orchestra director of choruses, became music director of the Youth Orchestra in 1993 and also was the founding director of the Cleveland Orchestra Youth Chorus. Upon his departure in 1998, Harry Davidson conducted the remainder of the 1997-98 season.
In 1998, the Cleveland Orchestra Youth Orchestra participated in the second National Youth Orchestra Festival sponsored by the American Symphony Orchestra League. The festival brought together 450 of the country’s most accomplished young instrumentalists to study with esteemed artist faculty.Only five youth orchestras were chosen from a national pool of applicants through a rigorous audition process.
Steven Smith, former assistant conductor of The Cleveland Orchestra, became music director of the Cleveland Orchestra Youth Orchestra in 1998. At Carnegie Hall’s invitation, Mr. Smith led the Youth Orchestra in a “Family Concert” in 2001; that same tour included a performance at Penn State University.
In 2003, James Gaffigan became the Youth Orchestra's fourth music director. During his three seasons, Mr. Gaffigan programmed challenging music while simultaneously maintaining the high standards of excellence that make COYO one of the nation’s leading youth orchestras. He frequently is engaged to conduct major orchestras across the United States and Europe.
Jayce Ogren began his three year tenure as COYO music director in the fall of 2006 and continued building upon the legacy of artistic excellence established by his predecessors. In a review of Mr. Ogren's first Youth Orchestra concert, Plain Dealer Music Critic Donald Rosenberg wrote, "Somehow, he already has molded a group that functions as a team. Ogren led each work with exceptional authority and sensitivity, revealing a musical intelligence allied to fine technical skills." Mr. Ogren brought touring back to the forefront during his tenure, culminating with a four-concert tour to the Boston, Massachusetts
area in June, 2009.
James Feddeck was appointed in March 2009 as the current COYO music director. He has brought fresh ideas and a new enthusiasm and dedication to the students during his tenure with COYO. Mr. Feddeck is also preparing to lead COYO on their first international tour to Europe in June 2012.
Photo: Jahja Ling, Founding Music Director of COYO
In 1984, Jahja Ling was engaged as associate conductor of The Cleveland Orchestra. With three years as founding director of the San Francisco Symphony Youth Orchestra and a vision for Cleveland, he established the Cleveland Orchestra Youth Orchestra in 1986 and served as its music director for six seasons. Mr. Ling served as The Cleveland
Orchestra’s resident conductor and as Blossom Festival director. He is now music director of the San Diego Symphony.
The Youth Orchestra receives generous support from the Martha Holden Jennings Foundation and The Surdna Foundation. Endowment gifts also support the Youth Orchestra.
Gareth Morrell, former Cleveland Orchestra director of choruses, became music director of the Youth Orchestra in 1993 and also was the founding director of the Cleveland Orchestra Youth Chorus. Upon his departure in 1998, Harry Davidson conducted the remainder of the 1997-98 season.
In 1998, the Cleveland Orchestra Youth Orchestra participated in the second National Youth Orchestra Festival sponsored by the American Symphony Orchestra League. The festival brought together 450 of the country’s most accomplished young instrumentalists to study with esteemed artist faculty.Only five youth orchestras were chosen from a national pool of applicants through a rigorous audition process.
Steven Smith, former assistant conductor of The Cleveland Orchestra, became music director of the Cleveland Orchestra Youth Orchestra in 1998. At Carnegie Hall’s invitation, Mr. Smith led the Youth Orchestra in a “Family Concert” in 2001; that same tour included a performance at Penn State University.
In 2003, James Gaffigan became the Youth Orchestra's fourth music director. During his three seasons, Mr. Gaffigan programmed challenging music while simultaneously maintaining the high standards of excellence that make COYO one of the nation’s leading youth orchestras. He frequently is engaged to conduct major orchestras across the United States and Europe.
Jayce Ogren began his three year tenure as COYO music director in the fall of 2006 and continued building upon the legacy of artistic excellence established by his predecessors. In a review of Mr. Ogren's first Youth Orchestra concert, Plain Dealer Music Critic Donald Rosenberg wrote, "Somehow, he already has molded a group that functions as a team. Ogren led each work with exceptional authority and sensitivity, revealing a musical intelligence allied to fine technical skills." Mr. Ogren brought touring back to the forefront during his tenure, culminating with a four-concert tour to the Boston, Massachusetts
area in June, 2009.
James Feddeck was appointed in March 2009 as the current COYO music director. He has brought fresh ideas and a new enthusiasm and dedication to the students during his tenure with COYO. Mr. Feddeck is also preparing to lead COYO on their first international tour to Europe in June 2012.
Photo: Jahja Ling, Founding Music Director of COYO
