New Haven, CT March 8, 2011: The board, musicians, and administration of the New Haven Symphony Orchestra (NHSO) invite you to join us for the inaugural concert of the NHSO Youth Orchestra, Sunday, March 20, 2011, 3:30pm at Cooperative Arts and Humanities High School (Co-Op), 177 College Street, New Haven, CT.

The Youth Orchestra brings together 31 students from 12 towns in the Greater New Haven area. These students have been working diligently at weekly rehearsals since mid-January developing their exceptional talent as young musicians under the direction of NHSO Music Director William Boughton. The Youth Orchestra has also had the opportunity to work with Thomas C. Duffy, Professor of Music & Director of University Bands at Yale University and NHSO Music Alive Composer-in-Residence Augusta Read Thomas.

The group will perform an ambitious program covering 20th and 21st century music, which brings an exciting challenge to their instrumental technique and overall musicianship. The program includes Aaron Copland’s Appalachian Spring, Augusta Read Thomas’ Prayer and Celebration and Thomas C. Duffy’s Fingal’s Cave.

Of the inaugural performance, Maestro Boughton says, “the first concert of the NHSO Youth Orchestra is an auspicious occasion for us all. For these young musicians to be working on the music of their homeland is an important part of their education, both musically and philosophically, to aid understanding of their roots and heritage. For me the launch of this orchestra has been one of the most important aspects in my role as Music Director of the NHSO and I look forward to helping it grow and develop over the years.”