JAMESTOWN - With funding provided by the first H. James Abdella Fund for the Arts Award presented by the Chautauqua Region Community Foundation, the Chautauqua Regional Youth Symphony (CRYS) had a weekend of concentrated study and rehearsals at Chautauqua Institution.
On Feb. 24-25 CRYS conductor and music director Bryan Eckenrode led the Youth Symphony, the organization's senior orchestra, in an intensive workshop at Chautauqua Institution, preparing for the Spring Gala Concert on May 6.
Activities for the weekend included full ensemble rehearsals, sectionals with coaches, a pizza party and relaxation, and a performance for parents at the conclusion. The students enjoyed the food and overnight at Chautauqua's Bellinger Hall.
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The Chautauqua Regional Youth Symphony (CRYS) recently had a weekend of intensive study and rehearsals at Chautauqua Institution, made possible largely by an H. James Abdella Fund for the Arts Award presented by the Chautauqua Region Community Foundation. The experience was in preparation for their Spring Gala Concert on May 6 in the Reg Lenna Civic Center. The musicians are pictured here in their closing performance in Chautauqua’s Elizabeth S. Lenna Hall under the direction of conductor Bryan Eckenrode. The Community Foundation also made a grant to CRYS for Maestro Eckenrode’s honorarium.
Under Eckenrode's direction, CRYS offers classical music education and performance opportunities to serious music students from elementary school through college. CRYS students are enrolled in three orchestras: Prelude Strings for beginning string players, Young Artists Orchestra for intermediate musicians, and the Youth Symphony for highly talented and motivated musicians ages 13 through 20.
The Community Foundation also made a recent grant to support Maestro Eckenrode's annual honorarium.
Rehearsals have begun for all orchestras for the May 6 concert in Jamestown's Reg Lenna Civic Center. CRYS students are selected by teacher recommendation. Teachers and students who would like more information about CRYS and its scholarships are invited to call 664-2465, ext. 202, or visit the website at www.CRYouthSymphony.com.
