Emily King, horn
Missisquoi Valley Union

VT Youth Orchestra – 2 years

In the two years that Emily has been in VYO, her musical contribution has been tremendous! You can hear her playing the beautiful solo horn lines in concerts from both this year and last. We have admired Emily’s consistent preparation and flexibility to play whatever is put in front of her.

Why do you like your instrument & how did you choose it?

As soon as I began immersing myself in the world of music, the French horn caught my attention with its unique sound and beauty. It stood out to me as an embodiment of grace and majesty, and I simply could not deny that I wholeheartedly wanted to learn this instrument. In order to ease my way into the challenges that come with horn playing, I began learning trumpet as my first brass instrument in elementary school. As I entered middle school, I was finally able to get my hands on a French horn. Ever since then, I’ve only grown more passionate about this instrument, and the horn never lost its magic in my eyes.

What has been your biggest musical challenge & how did you overcome it?

Auditioning has always been a particularly scary and anxiety-inducing part of being a musician. Even after auditioning for festivals for several years, preparing to perform scales, excerpts, and solos for my VYO audition was nerve-wracking. Being part of the orchestra was a dream of mine, so when the opportunity came to finally audition, I felt the weight of my goals resting heavily on my shoulders. However, as I stood in the hallway at Elley-Long anxiously awaiting my audition time, I had an epiphany. I realized that I was there to share my love of music. I was there to show the work I had put into my instrument over the last 6 years. I was there to play my horn, which had always brought me so much joy. After that, I walked confidently into the audition room and did what I enjoyed most: play the horn.

How has the pandemic effected your practice & performance of music or participation in your other activities?

For me, the VYO has truly been a light that shone through all the darkness brought on by the pandemic. For two long years, young musicians like myself had been denied festivals, band classes, lessons, and the other musical endeavors that we looked forward to. This bleak time without music was depressing and discouraging. It seemed like any glimmer of hope to perform again was diminished. That was until I became involved in the VYO. When in-person rehearsals finally began, I was reminded of the joy that music brought me. Even though I still could not play in school or festivals, the VYO employed lots of precautions that allowed us to safely play music together. While it wasn’t a normal ensemble experience, it was like a breath of fresh air to be with other musicians again and finally create beautiful music.

Noelle Cobb, clarinet
Colchester High School

VT Youth Orchestra – 2 years
VT Youth Philharmonia – 2 years

Aspiring music educator Noelle Cobb has been a stalwart member of our clarinet section for several years. She is a quiet presence that we have watched grow as a musician and look forward to having her share her musicianship and work ethic with future generations of music students!

Why do you like your instrument & how did you choose it?

I like the clarinet because it produces a warm, sweet tone and it’s just really fun to play. I chose it because I enjoyed playing the recorder in 4th grade and wanted more of a challenge. I thought the clarinet resembled the recorder, and solely made the decision from that reason.

What role does music play in your life?

I find music in itself very moving. It can give me chills, make me happy or sad, and much more. I like sharing music with other people and evoking that kind of emotion. It’s really powerful and wonderful.

What has been your biggest musical challenge & how did you overcome it?

My biggest musical challenge has been trying to play through my mental health struggles. I’m still working on it, but it keeps getting better every time. When I’m determined to do something I do it, and I’ve shown that I can make real and meaningful change as a person.

What was your favorite concert as a performer with the VYOA?

My favorite concert as a performer was playing at the Flynn for the first time. It was my first year in VYP and we played there for the OrchestraPalooza concert. It was an amazing experience and made me very happy. The Flynn is gorgeous and it was really fun to play in such a great space.

If you know, what do you plan to study in college & how did you make your choice?

I plan to study music performance and music education. I chose to do that because music is my passion and I want to dedicate the rest of my life to it. Playing classical music is such a unique experience and I want to share that with as many people as I can.

Oliver Rousseau, cello
Homeschool

VT Youth Orchestra – 2 years
VT Youth Philharmonia – 2 years

Cellist Oliver Rousseau comes from a family VT Youth Orchestra Association alums that includes both his father and his sister. He’s been a wonderful member of the VYOA community, he’s always there when you need him!

Why do you like your instrument & how did you choose it?

It’s pretty simple actually. My sister played Violin, so of course I had to play Cello instead, because we all know it’s the superior instrument… Just kidding! I love the Cello because of its versatility, rich tone and expressiveness. Also Yo Yo Ma and The Piano Guys.

What has been your biggest musical challenge & how did you overcome it?

When I was 13, there was a period where I kinda wanted to quit the Cello. As an early adolescent, I was just starting to find other things I was interested in, and for a while music kind of took a back seat for me. My progress slowed and I didn’t practice as much as I should have. What saved me from this dark and treacherous path? Actually it was VYOA that rekindled my interest in music, and helped me progress to where I am today. When my sister first recommended orchestra to me, I was reluctant to audition at first, but then I saw some friends of mine were in it, so I decided to give it a go. And boy, am I glad that I did! These past few years in VYOA have been amazing, and at times truly special. Okay, I admit I’m being a little bit melodramatic on purpose, but honestly thank you to everyone who helped bring music back into my life.

What college or university do you plan/hope to attend next year?

University of Vermont (UVM), though I may later transfer to Dartmouth at some point. While I haven’t officially declared my major yet, I’m currently leaning towards Anthropology. I’ve actually already been taking college classes since I was fifteen, first through Dual-Enrollment, then full time Early College at CCV, so I came to this decision pretty much just by trying stuff until I found what I liked. For a while I even wanted to be a Lawyer, until I finally figured out that Matt Murdock is fictional. My current plan is to go for a PhD in Anthropology, and then become a College Professor. I’ve always been interested in world cultures, particularly when it comes to language and religion, so I think Anthropology is a good fit for me.

Dr. Mark Alpízar chats with senior soloist Justin Lee, VYOA Concertmaster, about playing violin and his musical plans for the future. See Justin perform his solo at our February 13 concert at The Flynn, Something Suite. Tickets available at flynnvt.org