LJYO in the News

November 17, 2008

LJYO performs ‘Home for the Holidays’ concert on Nov 30

      La Jeunesse Youth Orchestra rings in the holidays with its tenth annual ‘Home for the Holidays’ concert on Sunday, November 30, 3 pm, at the Port Hope United Church.
      LJYO makes its home in Port Hope, but draws members from a wide area – participants this year include youth from Oshawa, Lindsay, and Castleton.
      Musical Director Michael Lyons, also known to classical music fans as an on-air personality with Classical 96.3 and 103.1 FM, was the founder and has led LJYO from the beginning. He comments that “Since its inception in 1999, LJYO has meant to me the sharing of the world’s musical riches with bright shining open young minds and souls.
      “I have always been extremely proud of the cross-generational nature of this organization – to see adults and youths making mistakes, making music, learning and sharing the musical experience every minute, every week, every year.”
      For this year’s holiday concert, Lyons says, “we will be focussing on two composer/arrangers of note: Robert W. Smith and Leroy Anderson.”
      Robert W. Smith is a contemporary American composer with over 600 works to his credit. His “Rites of Tamburo” is an eclectic blend of musical styles drawn from many cultural roots, fueled by the driving force of the percussion section.
      Smith’s arrangement of “In the Bleak Midwinter” is an emotion-packed restatement of Gustav Holst’s beautiful melody.
      Leroy Anderson had a long string of hits in the mid-twentieth century, many of them introduced by the Boston Pops Orchestra. His medley “A Christmas Festival” puts together several famous tunes into a stirring and heart-warming arrangement.
      Also on the programme are other holiday favourites including “Angels From The Realms of Glory”, and “March of the Toys” by Victor Herbert. LJYO members are chosen by audition each year. Full rehearsals are held for three hours each week, from September to early May, with an additional sectional rehearsal for many members each week.
      The Orchestra’s schedule includes the Christmas concert as well as public concerts in February and May. Performances for students at area schools are another important part of each season’s activities.
      Tickets for ‘Home for the Holidays’ are available online at www.ljyo.ca, by phone at 1-866-460-5596, and at the box offices of the Cameco Capitol Arts Centre in Port Hope and Victoria Hall in Cobourg.