Overture Magazine: 2016-2017 Season May-June 2017 | Page 13

Nicholas Hersh leads young players
with professional aspirations
Story by Christianna McCausland | Photography by Mitro Hood
There is a moment for conductors when a piece of music finally clicks into place and goes from perfunctory to profound.
Nicholas Hersh, BSO associate conductor, experienced it recently in a rehearsal of Dvořák’s Symphony No. 9.
“Everyone heard it, their eyes widened, and we all experienced this heightened musicality together,” he recalls.
Before it became the Baltimore Symphony Youth Orchestras in
ersh was not conducting the professional
2012, the non-profit Greater Baltimore Youth Orchestra had been
musicians of the BSO. In fact, many of the
around for more than 35 years. By providing these existing youth
musicians with whom he shared this magic are
ensembles a permanent home, the BSO ensured consistent support.
barely into their teen years. As part of his posi-
The “merger” also allowed BSYO members access to professional
tion as associate conductor of the BSO, Hersh
musicians and their mentorship. The BSO and other professional
has also been the conductor and artistic direc-
musicians offer master classes and coaching.
tor of the Baltimore Symphony Youth Orchestras
Students attend events at the Meyerhoff such as
(BSYO) for the last year. The 250 young BSYO
chamber music classes and performances. The
musicians receive high-level orchestral instruc-
tion along with the chance to play in front of an
“These kids come highlight of each season is the side-by-side in
when the Youth Orchestra musicians play
audience several times a year.
out with a better spring
music with their counterparts in the BSO.
The Baltimore Symphony Orchestra has a rich
understanding not
The BSYO also fills an important slot in the
and varied community engagement program when it
BSO’s
continuum and its commitment to provide
comes to education. Opportunities for youth include
only of music but
music and educational opportunities for Mary-
the OrchKids program, which provides training
of interpersonal
landers of all ages and all musical abilities — from
and performance opportunities for Baltimore City
relationships,
toddlers clapping their hands at Music Box events
school students who might otherwise lack the chance
to learn an instrument. Additionally, the BSYO
conflict resolution to adult “Rusty” and BSO Academy musicians,
reaches students with prodigious musical training
and cooperation.” which Maestro Hersh also leads.
Currently, the BSYO has three ensembles tai-
who are ready to perform with a professional-style
lored to specific ages and abilities: the String
ensemble. BSYO members come from counties
Nicholas Hersh
Orchestra for young performers through grade 7;
throughout Maryland and Pennsylvania.
“
May– June 2017 |
O v ertur e
11