Thursday afternoon the Rotary Club of Tacoma #8 was entertained by having members of the Tacoma Youth Symphony enjoy our audience. Various pieces of musical entertainment were distributed.
Tacoma Youth Symphony Association – Empowering Young Musicians – Over 60 years of symphonic education and performance that transforms young lives and enriches communities. Via music and dance.
Featured were James O. Welsch, Anna Jesen, and Dr. James Doyle: Their programs are designed to be inclusive, fun, and challenging for young musicians to help them become all they can be—as an artist and as a person. At TYSA, you’ll find a second home among a supportive family who are deeply invested in your growth and success.
Help Us Continue Transforming Lives – Whether you donate, volunteer, or sponsor, your contribution will help us continue to provide the highest quality music education and preserve a rich cultural experience. Contact TYSA at 901 Broadway, Suite 500, Tacoma, WA 98402
What really caught my attention was the comment that the Tacoma Youth Symphony was their connection to Stanley Elementary School and their long history of music, dancing, and learning. I attended Stanley from Kindergarten thru the fourth grade. This was decades and decades ago. In the fourth grade I danced with my fellow students to several European dances as well as square dancing. I loved the fifth grade girl I danced with.
Oh, my goodness! It’s tough for me to know where to begin.
First of all, I’m delighted to hear that Dr. Welsch (Music Director of TYSA, and conductor of their top orchestra), Dr. Anna Jensen (Executive Director) and Dr. James W. Doyle attended your Rotary meeting. Since it was an afternoon meeting, I assume no members of TYSA orchestras could be present to perform for you? Yet you say, “Various pieces of musical entertainment were distributed.” Pieces, as in musical scores? Pieces, as in copies of schedules of upcoming performances? “Distributed” — passed around for you to keep? ‘Tis a puzzlement.
Finally, I don’t know where you found the illustration you attached to your article, showing perhaps third graders square dancing. It’s very misleading, since TYSA is about kids studying and learning to play orchestral instruments (strings, brass, woodwind, percussion) in assorted ensembles, becoming increasingly complex as they get older. It’s nice that your guests’ music discussion brought to mind that fifth grade girl you danced with “decades and decades ago,” but ….
I’ve been a fan of TYSA since c.1982, when my daughter was the first concertmaster of the youngest string orchestra at that time. She went on to play in Junior Symphony, then “dropped out” to study composition. For the past 25 years, she’s been an orchestrator and arranger for Disney Music Library, in Burbank. I continue to support TYSA every year (and every month)! It’s an amazing organization.
Participation in this organization is a wonderful experience for young people whether they aspire to be concert performers in their adult years or not.
My daughter played the cello in this orchestra around 1970 (I have forgotten exactly when). One of the experiences of a lifetime they experienced is their trip to Scotland, England, Wales, which provided them with not only scenic wonders such as Stonehenge, but getting to perform in Prince Albert Hall with other young people from other countries.
All of us had to help raise money for the trip, even my five year old sold barbecued hotdogs in our driveway.
My daughter has never forgotten this opportunity and has benefited from the hard work, professional integrity, and friendships she experienced with them.
All should remember that each member of a concert group has not only worked hard to achieve their level of success, but had to find a way to pay for the instrument, lessons, a way to attain the instructor and find a way to get to those lessons, and the time it took to practice to achieve their level of prowess. And be able to participate in group practice. Not easy when trying to be a teen-ager. Help them if you can.