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The Poolesville Youth Symphony Orchestra is filling a gap for young people who need a place to hone their skills and perform without traveling beyond their rural community.
The orchestra, now nearing the end of its third season, formed last fall to give Poolesville-area youths a chance to play in a symphony setting. It boasts just under 20 musicians. The group will perform two shows this week.
"It's much different than performing with an instructor," she said. "…The youth orchestra doesn't replace the opportunities available at the high school and middle school level — it's a complement and a way for the kids to expand their skills and exposure. The more chances you have to perform, the better."
School-based and community orchestras are not mutually exclusive, Rosvold-Brenholtz said. For instance, some students interested in an instrument may not have room in their class schedule, while others may play in multiple orchestras.
"Kids these days have a lot on their plates, and in the school system they have to make a lot of tough choices," said PYSO conductor Robert Fogleman, a music teacher who leads an after-school jazz band at John Poole. "This orchestra is really the only strong outlet right now for players in the Poolesville area," he said. The orchestra has a mix of skill levels, and some of the youths said they planned to continue pursuing music at school and beyond.
There are several youth orchestras in the area but most rehearse far from Poolesville, Fogleman said.
"I'm in another orchestra, but it's a long way to Frederick," said Rosvold-Brenholtz's son, violinist Mack Brenholtz, 13, who performs with the Frederick Regional Youth Orchestra. "It's nice we have an orchestra in a small town like Poolesville."
Dylan Tomares, 14, of Barnesville said he joined the orchestra because there were no opportunities for him to play piano at Poolesville High.
"It's nice to meet people who have that same love of music as you do," he said before PYSO's weekly practice at John Poole.
The orchestra is open to all students in the Poolesville school cluster, and musicians should have about a year of experience and be able to read music, Fogleman said. There is no tuition or auditions, and the orchestra is financed by the Sandy Cameron Music Benefit fund, which supports youth music programs in the cluster. The community volunteers helming the group organized an impromptu weeklong music camp in the summer that drew four musicians, and they hope to do it again next year.
"It is really amazing to hear what kids can do when they challenge themselves or they are challenged," Rosvold-Brenholtz said. "When they get together with a group of musicians they really sound spectacular, and it's amazing to experience that."
To attend
The Poolesville Youth Symphony Orchestra will perform at 7 p.m. Thursday at John Poole Middle School, 17014 Tom Fox Ave., Poolesville, and at 7 p.m. Sunday at Poolesville Baptist Church, 17550 W. Willard Road. Both shows are free. Contact Robert Fogleman at
foglehorn@comcast.net.
