Crescendo of Camaraderie: The Midwest Young Artists Alumni Concert to be Held at Ravinia’s Bennett Gordon Hall, December 27th

(Highwood, Il) Returning home for the holidays in both a physical and mental sense is a time honored tradition of the winter season. For the Midwest Young Artists (MYA) music school this means that alumni spanning 20 years will flood back into the Chicagoland area and participate in the annual MYA alumni concert. The Crescendo of Camaraderie 2013 MYA alumni concert will take place on December 27th at 6pm in Ravinia’s Bennett Gordon Concert Hall. This nostalgia-rich musical extravaganza will include both jazz and orchestra programming and is free & open to the public.

Seated once again in their respective instrument sections, dozens of former MYA students reconnect with old pals, make new friends, and generally enjoy making music with a group of fellow dedicated musicians. Every year, MYA alumni arrive from across the country and even far reaches of the globe, where they endeavor to succeed in a wide variety of pursuits besides music.

MYA is different from many music schools, in that the goal is not to graduate 100% or even 50% of students to music related careers. MYA uses music as a catalyst to develop self-confidence, hard work, and other desirable virtues in its students, who then go on to be medical doctors, members of the U.S. armed forces, financial professionals, business leaders, engineers, non-profit managers, and an array of other noble occupations.

There is a segment that does continue on to musical success, such as Ethan Bensdorf. A graduate of MYA in 2003, Ethan plays trumpet with the New York Philharmonic Orchestra now, and will be the featured guest soloist for the April 27th MYA Symphony concert at Ravinia. Gina DiBello (‘00) is another notable alum, who recently became First Violin in the Chicago Symphony Orchestra. This caliber of musical talent will be on display at the alumni concert. What is even better is that the orchestra will be performing fun and recognizable literature such as themes from the movie Rocky, Star Wars, and the perennial favorite, Brahms’ Academic Festival Overture. Midwest Young Artists cordially invites you and your loved ones to celebrate homecoming and friendship with us through the power of music at Ravinia on December 27th.

 For more information, please contact MYA orchestra Coordinator, Jeremy Krifka at Jeremy@mya.org or call 847-926-9898

VENUE:         Bennett Gordon Hall, Ravinia Festival – 400 Iris Lane, Highland Park, Illinois

DATE:            December 27th, 6pm

MEDIA:          Carl Jasieniecki, Midwest Young Artists

CONTACT:    Carl@mya.org
                        Photographs, videos, interviews and additional materials available.

About MYA: Midwest Young Artists is the top rated youth music ensemble programs in the Midwest and represents some of the best young musicians in the country. The program offers exceptional training in jazz, choral, chamber and orchestral instruction. MYA currently reaches more than 1,000 students from 74 communities in the metropolitan Chicago area with eight youth orchestras, more than 65 chamber music ensembles, three choral groups, an all-inclusive jazz program, rock program, early childhood education, and classes in music theory and history. Students have the opportunity to travel abroad and to perform in major venues throughout Chicago and around the world. MYA graduates are accepted at the most selective conservatories, universities and colleges in the country.

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