Bravi, BSYO!
HIGHLIGHTS FROM AN INTERNATIONAL JOURNEY
This summer, 73 talented young musicians from the Baltimore Symphony Youth Orchestras( BSYO) took their music across the Atlantic for a week-long tour of Portugal. They had the opportunity to share their artistry and passion with audiences through performances as part of the Lisbon International Youth MusicFest and Cistermúsica, the Alcobaça Music Festival.
“ The BSYO tour to Portugal was nothing short of astounding, as our tour ensemble bonded as musicians and as a family,” Dr. Chris Cicconi, BSYO Principal Conductor said.“ This ensemble, comprised of musicians from our Youth, Concert, and Philharmonia Orchestras, delivered what were described as‘ stunning as well as passionate’ performances to standing room-only audiences in the most breathtaking venues.”
The ensemble performed to full houses at four remarkable venues: Ruínas do Carmo( Lisbon, July 2); Mosteiro de Alcobaça, as part of the CisterMúsica Festival( July 4); Mosteiro da Batalha( July 5); and Igreja de São João Novo( Porto, July 7). Their program, The Places You’ ll Go, celebrated music from around the world, and included a world premiere by 2024-25 BSO Composer in Residence James Lee III. Each performance concluded with a special rendition of the Portuguese National Anthem.
Off stage, BSYO students immersed themselves in Portugal’ s rich heritage and beauty, enjoying a beach day in Cascais, a river cruise on the Douro, and a final celebratory dinner in Porto. These activities deepened students’ appreciation for Portugal’ s culture and architecture, while helping forge lifelong friendships.
“ Music is a great connector, and this tour was absolutely no exception,” Cicconi said.“ The most important aspect of the trip, as I watched students depart with tears of joy in their eyes, are the beautiful relationships formed between the BSYO members. These students represented themselves, the BSYO, the BSO, and their country with the upmost integrity.”
“ The BSYO tour to Portugal was nothing short of astounding, as our tour ensemble bonded as musicians and as a family.”
Dr. Chris Cicconi
BSYO Principal Conductor
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Top and middle: The BSYO performs at the Carmo Archaeological Museum as part of the Lisbon Music Fest. Bottom: Performance at the Mosteiro de Alcobaça.
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