LJYO in the News

April 23, 2007

Sonic Bloom’ brings symphonic splendor to Port Hope.

      The upcoming “Sonic Bloom” concert allows local audiences to experience “full symphonic splendor without going to the city,” in the words of Michael Lyons.
      Lyons is the Music Director of La Jeunesse Youth Orchestra (LJYO), which closes out its eighth season with the Sonic Bloom concert on May 6. Lyons says that LJYO’s third concert of the year presents “standard concert repertoire – pieces that you’ll find on the programmes of the major professional orchestras.”
      The lineup includes Symphonic Dance Opus 64 by Grieg, and Hungarian Dance #6 by Brahms, overtures by Rossini and Bizet, and Dvorak’s 8th Symphony, which Lyons says is “perfect for spring – it’s Dvorak’s ‘Pastoral’ symphony.”
      Also on the programme are a few barn burners by Copland and Bernstein. Saxophonist David Tanner, one of the coaches in LJYO, will also be featured in Sonic Bloom, adding a new colour to the orchestra.
      Audiences were astonished by the technical proficiency of LJYO soloists at their February concert, “In The Spotlight”. In “Sonic Bloom”, Lyons says, the repertoire is equally demanding of the Orchestra as a whole, and the young musicians have risen to the challenge.
      The concert is the result of eight months of work for the 25 members of the Port Hope-based LJYO. The performance also reflects the dedication of the eight adult coaches, who work with the students for three hours each Saturday as well as in sectional workshops during the week. “What I find really exciting,” Lyons says, “is that at this point in the season, if you close your eyes while you listen, you can’t tell when you’re hearing a coach and when you’re hearing one of the students.”
      Sonic Bloom takes place in the Port Hope United Church at 3 pm, Sunday May 6. Tickets are available online at www.ljyo.ca, by phone at 1-866-460-5596, at the box offices of the Capitol Theatre in Port Hope and Victoria Hall in Cobourg, and at the door.