The Atlanta Symphony Youth Orchestra takes a bow at its 50th anniversary concert, May 11, 2024. (credit: Rand Lines)

Musical homecoming: ASYO’s 50th-anniversary concert gathers participants from the orchestra’s beginnings to the present

EarRelevant Staff | 16 MAY 2024

Last Saturday afternoon, the Atlanta Symphony Youth Orchestra celebrated its 50th anniversary with a special program at Symphony Hall highlighting its rich history and legacy. Established in 1974 as a subsidiary of the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra, the ASYO has provided a platform for Atlanta’s most talented young musicians to perform classical masterworks and receive mentorship from top ASO and community musicians.

Some four hundred aspiring 8th through 12th-grade student instrumentalists from over 20 metro Atlanta school districts audition annually for membership in the ASYO. The selected 120 members participate in a three-concert series and exclusive workshops, enhancing their musical skills under the guidance of ASO musicians. This rigorous training and exposure have helped the ASYO strive for national preeminence among youth orchestras, contributing to the cultural fabric of the Atlanta community.


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The anniversary celebration began with a chamber work: the first movement of Mendelssohn’s Piano Trio No. 2, performed by the Cypress Trio (violinist Didi Stone, cellist Ryan Pi, and pianist Hailey Culp) from the ASYO Chamber Players.

Next came the first orchestra of the evening, comprised of 72 ASYO alumni, assembled for the occasion, conducted by founding music director Michael Palmer and long-time music director Jere Flint, who led the orchestra for 35 years. These alumni orchestra musicians were drawn from past ASYO rosters as far back as 1974 (for example, trombonist Jeff Taylor was a member during the ASYO’s first season).

The conductors, from the top: Michael Palmer, Jere Flint, William R. Langley. (credit: Rand Lines)

The conductors, from the top: Michael Palmer, Jere Flint, William R. Langley. (credit: Rand Lines)

Palmer conducted the first work, Johannes Brahms’ Academic Festival Overture. Flint then led the orchestra in two works: Jean Sibelius’ Finlandia and Mussorgsky’s “The Great Gate of Kiev” from Pictures at an Exhibition.

After intermission, this season’s ASYO, led by its current music director, William R. Langley, took the stage, showcasing today’s ongoing talent and dedication within the orchestra. They performed the “Mazurka” from Tchaikovsky’s ballet Swan Lake, the final movement of Elgar’s Cello Concerto featuring ASYO principal cellist Jaia Alli as soloist.

ASYO principal cellist Jaia Alli solos in the final movement of Edawrd  Elgar's "Cello Concerto" with conductor William R. Langley leading the ASYO, May 11, 2024. (credit: Rand Lines)

ASYO principal cellist Jaia Alli solos in the final movement of Edawrd Elgar’s “Cello Concerto” with conductor William R. Langley leading the ASYO, May 11, 2024. (credit: Rand Lines)

Following the Elgar came The Young Person’s Guide to the Orchestra by Benjamin Britten, which, much like a concerto for orchestra, provided moments that spotlighted the ensemble’s different instruments and instrumental sections. Langley and the ASYO then closed the concert with the colorful final movement of Ottorino Respighi’s The Pines of Rome.

Overall, the 50th-anniversary program successfully highlighted some of the diverse but essential orchestral repertoire that young players need to experience as they develop their performance skills and also defined ASYO’s illustrious history.


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In addition to Palmer, Flint, and Langley, throughout its history, the ASYO has been led by distinguished music directors, including conductors Sung Kwak, Joseph Young, Stephen Mulligan, and Jerry Hou. All of these leaders, along with the consistent mentorship from ASO and community musicians, have been pivotal in maintaining the orchestra’s high standards and fostering the artistic growth of its members.

The ASYO has a remarkable track record of producing talented musicians who continue their studies at prestigious colleges and conservatories worldwide. Many alumni have become prominent figures in the music world; others have chosen different professional paths while maintaining a lifelong love of music. The ASYO has been a crucial launchpad for young artists, providing them with the skills and experiences necessary for their professional journeys.


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In addition to local performances, the ASYO has engaged in cultural exchanges with youth orchestras from Great Britain, Australia, Berlin, Germany, and various US cities. Notably, the ASYO performed during the 1996 Cultural Olympiad and the closing ceremonies of the 1996 Olympic Games, showcasing their talent to a global audience.

Over the years, the ASYO has secured its place in Atlanta’s musical legacy. Thousands of its alumni remain active in the arts as performers, educators, administrators, donors, and patrons, demonstrating the lasting impact of their ASYO experience. In marking its 50-year milestone, the ASYO remains a beacon of musical excellence, committed to nurturing the next generation of musicians in Georgia and beyond.

SLIDE SHOW: Photos from The ASYO 50th Anniversary concert

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