REACHING OVER 30k MUSIC EDUCATORS EACH MONTH IN PRINT/DIGITAL. SUBSCRIBE FOR FREE! CLICK HERE!
It is a strange and trying time for all of us in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic. We certainly understand times are tough for you, as it is for us. We have been proud to bring School Band & Orchestra for free for more than two decades and we will continue to provide you with free subscriptions during the pandemic. However, we would like your consideration in these difficult times to help support our efforts here at School Band & Orchestra to keep our information flowing and to provide you with a continuous stream of current and vital information when you need it the most.
It is with the utmost sincerity we ask you to consider supporting our efforts here with a small donation which will allow our staff the ability to keep these interesting stories about your chosen career coming to you in a consistent and timely basis. Your consideration is greatly appreciated. We at School Band & Orchestra wish nothing but the best for you, your school, your family and co-workers. We hope you continue to remain healthy during this most strenuous of times.
Last month, the nine winners of the 2017 Yamaha Young Performing Artists competition performed at the 29th annual Yamaha Young Performing Artists (YYPA) celebration weekend, which ran from June 24 – 27, 2017 at Ball State University in Muncie, Indiana.
The 2017 YYPA winners include:
Victor Hernandez Ramirez – flute; Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic
He Zhang – clarinet; Harbin, China
Hannah Hickman – classical saxophone; Sheldon, Iowa
Howard Dietz – jazz saxophone; Morgan Hill, Calif.
Michelle Hembree – French horn; Boise, Idaho
Altin Sencalar – jazz trombone; Temple, Texas
Cameron Leach – concert percussion; Hilliard, Ohio
Stephen Morris – drum set; Aliso Viejo, Calif.
Derek Louie – cello; New York, New York
Nathan Ben-Yehuda – piano; Los Angeles, Calif.
The nine winners received an all-expense-paid trip to the YYPA Celebration Weekend, which took place during the Music for All™ Summer Symposium, as well as services and support from Yamaha Artist Relations. On Monday, June 26, the winners finished off the weekend with the annual YYPA Concert at Emens Auditorium.
Featured Yamaha Performing Artist, Jauvon Gilliam, principal timpanist of the National Symphony Orchestra, also gave a special solo performance during the concert and performed with the nine winners.
“Yamaha is committed to fostering and developing young musical talent,” says John Wittmann, director of artist relations and education, Yamaha Artist Services Indianapolis. “The YYPA Program allows us to intersect and spend honest, intentional, one-on-one time with remarkable musicians on the cusp of launching their careers. It’s incredibly rewarding to witness the overpowering impact made at the celebration weekend.”
“What a truly amazing experience [YYPA] was,” said Stephen Morris, 2017 drum set winner. “A simple ‘thank you’ will never sum up the amount of gratitude I have for what Yamaha has done in paying it forward to the next generation of artists. From master classes and workshops, to round table discussions, rehearsals and the concert, it was a blast to hear such inspiring music. I am so thankful for the lessons that I learned.”
Musicians can apply for the 2018 Yamaha Young Performing Artists Competition here.
