On Sunday, the 4th of November, The High Plains Youth Symphony and Sinfonietta performed at the Mountain View United Methodist Church in Boulder. The foyer of the church filled quickly as the time of the performance drew near. In attendance were parents, grandparents and siblings of the gifted young musicians. Also there to enjoy the eternal music were High Plains Youth Symphony staff, board and alumni and other music lovers.

The educated audience hushed promptly at 2:30 as Conductor Emily Bowman stepped in front of the Sinfonietta. The first piece to be played was Allegro from the Miniature Quartet No. 1 in A Minor by composer David Stone. Although many of the performers are very young, they displayed professionalism and an obvious dedication to their respective instruments. The Sinfonietta also played Quiet Trail from Shadow Mountain, by Doris Gazda, and Rondo from Quartet No. 72 by Haydn, a Herman Clebanoff arrangement.

The High Plains Youth Sinfonietta is a string ensemble which was founded in Spring 2007. This strings only group was formed to support and nurture aspiring young string players. String technique, ensemble playing, and musicality are deeply explored as players prepare for entry into the symphony. Conductor Emily Bowman and the Sinfonietta made their debut at the November performance. At the end of their debut, Ms. Bowman and the Sinfonietta received an enthusiastic round of applause from the audience.

As with most non-profits the executives sport many hats--while Conductor Bowman and the multi-faceted Amy Andersson, High Plains music director, reset the stage, board president Joan Norman spoke to the audience. She voiced her gratitude “on behalf of the entire board, staff and students of the Symphony.” Joan also welcomed those who might be inclined to volunteer. 

The audience once again settled into silence as The High Plains Youth Symphony filed in to stand before their seats. Once all were present, at a signal from Music Director Amy Andersson, they sat in unison. The Youth Symphony was joined in their performance by Ms. Judith Ingolfsson, currently Assistant Professor of Violin at the University of Colorado at Boulder. Among her many accomplishments, Ms. Ingolfsson performed with some of the top symphony orchestras in the country, most recently with the Pacific Symphony and the New York Pop Orchestra with Skitch Henderson at Carnegie Hall.

The High Plains Youth Symphony held the audience's rapt attention as they performed: Marriage of Figaro Overture by Mozart, Violin Concerto, Hob. Vlla No. 1 in C Major by Hyden and Symphony No. 41, Molto Allegro, also by Mozart. Etiquette forbade the audience from applauding after each piece, however, when the final note of the last score was done and Amy Andersson turned to the crowd, they all rose for a prolonged and enthusiastic ovation.

The High Plains Youth Symphony (HPYS) was formed in September 2006 to support technically advanced and musically mature orchestral musicians. Founded by individuals affiliated with the Boulder Philharmonic, the University of Colorado School of Music, and Boulder Suzuki Strings, this dynamic, fast paced orchestral training program challenges individual musical development through the performance of masterpiece orchestral and operatic repertoire. The supportive and nurturing learning atmosphere inspires deep, musical development, and facilitates a positive and rewarding collaborative experience.

Although Sunday’s performance is the last for this year, The High Plains Youth Symphony will continue its 2007/2008 season in January. With this performance as a taste of things to come, they are all not to be missed by the classical music aficionado. “Neither a lofty degree of intelligence nor imagination nor both together go to the making of genius. Love, love, love, that is the soul of genius.” --Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart.

And love of the music is what will guarantee the long and fruitful life of The High Plains Youth Symphony and Sinfonietta.