Cincinnati Pops Orchestra Conductor John Morris Russell will spend the day with the MYCincinnati string youth orchestra on Friday, July 31, rehearsing with the student musicians from 1:30-3:45 p.m. and conducting a performance beginning at 4:30 p.m. at the Price Hill Recreation Center, 959 Hawthorne Ave. This performance is free and open to the public. In addition to the MYCincinnati string youth orchestra based out of Price Hill, another youth orchestra program similar to MYCincinnati, the visiting Chicago Metamorphosis Orchestra Project, will also participate. With 50 MYCincinnati students and 40 Chicago students participating, these connections between youth from different cities through music help forge not only musical bonds, but lifetime teamwork and social skills with peers from other regions.
“One of the happiest aspects of my work now, as Conductor of the Pops, is the opportunity to connect with young musicians of all levels around our region,” said Mr. Russell. “Perhaps a couple of the 60 or so MYCincinnati kids will go on to become professional musicians, but the vast majority of them are learning the skills and dedication that will help them become engineers, doctors, teachers, scientists and lifelong music lovers.”
“Gatherings between programs like ours are so important to our mission and are always a fun rewarding experience for our students,” said Laura Jekel, director of MYCincinnati. “Also we are thrilled to be able to work with Maestro Russell again. He is amazing with the students, and it’s always a ton a fun.”
About MYCincinnati: MYCincinnati (Music for Youth in Cincinnati) is a free youth orchestra program in Price Hill. Founded on the idea that personal transformation can be achieved by striving towards musical excellence, MYCincinnati offers children in Price Hill the opportunity to learn violin, viola, cello, or bass, and play in an orchestra. MYCincinnati is inspired by El Sistema, Venezuela’s revolutionary youth orchestra program that uses music as a vehicle for social change. Students enrolled in MYCincinnati meet for 10 hours a week in our building on Warsaw Avenue, a centrally located street in Price Hill. The program consists of group and private lessons, sectionals, orchestra, musicianship, and frequent performance.
