During this unusual season, the 89-member Toronto Symphony Youth Orchestra (TSYO)—made up of talented young musicians under the age of 22—has still been committed to learning and developing their craft.
The students have continued to practice and work hard from the safety of their homes, with regular online workshops, lectures, and masterclasses with TSYO Conductor Simon Rivard, and TSO musicians and staff.
The TSYO would ordinarily give performances throughout the season, culminating in a finale at Roy Thomson Hall. But this year, our resilient young musicians were still able to come together online, giving a virtual recital for family and friends.
Congratulations to our wonderful TSYO members on their final solo performances!
Each year, the TSYO presents a series of awards that recognize the outstanding achievement of its talented musicians. These awards are given to members who have demonstrated leadership, professionalism, artistic excellence, and overall improvement. At the recitals, TSO CEO Matthew Loden presented the winners with their awards and thanked them for their commitment to the youth orchestra.
Thank you to the Toronto Symphony Volunteer Committee, Sylvia McPhee, the Marvin Gelber Foundation, and Alice and Irving Shullman for this special acknowledgement of these young artists.
“Thanks to the efforts of the TSYO, we have all remained motivated and musical throughout these difficult times,” says 16-year-old cellist Anika Grieve, a member of the TSYO for two years, who performed in and co-hosted one of the recitals.
Listen as Anika speaks with The New Classical FM about preparing this year's final solo recital: