Holiday Concerts Spread Cheer
GTCYS continues its annual tradition of giving back to the community with free holiday concerts this season. Our concerts feature sing-a-longs of classic carols and orchestral music that captures the joyful spirit of the season . You're invited to celebrate with us
at one of the following concerts sponsored by Wells Fargo Private Bank:
 
Camerata Holiday Concert
Sunday, December 6 at 4:00pm
4087 W Broadway Ave., Robbinsdale
Barbara Flooding, conductor
The program features Smetana's Polka from the
Bartered Bride, Winter Wonderland, and selections from Tchaikovsky's Nutcracker Ballet. The concert also includes a special Chamber Music Institute performance in collaboration with The Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra.

Philharmonic Holiday Concert
Tuesday, December 8 at 7:30pm
125 Wayzata Blvd. E, Wayzata
Gary Wolfman, conductor
This concert features well-loved classics including Rimsky-Korsakov's Capriccio Espagnol, Highlights from
Porgy and Bess, White Christmas, and A Christmas Festival.
 
Sinfonia & Concertino Holiday Concert
Sunday, December 13 at 4:00pm
1215 W Roselawn Ave., Roseville
Kent Musser, Sinfonia conductor
Dan Mollick, Concertino conductor
Each orchestra will perform traditional works like Bach's Fantasy on Sleepers, Wake and Glière's Russian Sailors' Dance from The Red Poppy before holiday sing-a-longs with the audience that include uplifting carols.

Three special holiday concerts bring live music to individuals who can't easily attend performances. Through concerts at Boutwells Landing in Stillwater (Philharmonia East), Folkestone Care Center in Wayzata (Philharmonia West), and Union Gospel Mission in St. Paul (Concert Orchestra) students will share orchestral music with residents and engage them in sing-alongs of classic carols. These concerts have a powerful impact on students as well as audiences, and a 2015 graduate said, "One of my favorite GTCYS memories was when Concert Orchestra played a holiday concert at Union Gospel mission in St. Paul. The room was full of people, and I feel like our music brought a lot of happiness to the shelter that night." These concerts are closed to the general public due to limited space.
From Percussion to Advocacy 
The Melin Family: Max, Jennie, Dave, and Samantha
Max Melin '15 joined GTCYS as a percussionist during his senior year. Though he was only in GTCYS for a year, the experience had an immense impact on Max. He learned to play challenging pieces and work well with other young musicians, and he experienced the thrill of performing professional-level concerts with Symphony at Ted Mann Concert Hall, Orchestra Hall, and The Ordway. His mom, Jennie, said of Max's experience with GTCYS, "his music has always been an important part of his life through ensembles, lessons, and performances at school and MacPhail, but being able to play with many other kids at such a high level was one of the most rewarding experiences of his senior year. He only wishes he had been able to participate sooner. We feel so fortunate to have him play under the direction of Mark Russell Smith. He challenged the kids and expected a great deal from them; Max was thankful for this type of leadership and he learned so much from him."

Jennie and her husband Dave were so impressed with GTCYS' impact on their son and the community that they're staying involved this year after Max has graduated and moved on to college at Stanford University. They joined GTCYS' new Leadership Advisory Council this fall to continue supporting the organization as advocates, volunteers, and donors. They said the following about their enthusiam and support for GTCYS:

Why do you think GTCYS is important to the community?
GTCYS is important to the community because it allows kids to practice and perform with other kids who are equally committed to developing their musical talent, even at a young age. This brings kids together from all different schools and areas throughout the Twin Cities. Through scholarships, this opportunity is made available to all kids who are seeking this type of experience. Music has such a positive impact on the development of our kids which impacts our community as well. GTCYS also helps the kids and families develop a greater knowledge of and appreciation for the arts in general throughout our communities.

Why do you donate to GTCYS? 
We donate to GTCYS because of the positive experience our family had from the day Max first auditioned to become a member of the Symphony Orchestra. We were so impressed with all of the staff and the way the entire organization was run. We feel the experience Max had made a huge impact on him as a musician and a person. We feel GTCYS makes a difference in the lives of many aspiring young musicians in the greater Twin Cities area. We believe all kids should be given this opportunity; this is also why we believe others should donate.
'Tis the Season for Giving
If you value our programs, please consider supporting them with a tax-deductible donation. Your gift will help cultivate the next generation of leaders, musicians, and audiences, making the Twin Cities a stronger, better community. With support from individuals, we're able to provide $50,000 in need-based scholarships, ensuring that every interested student has the opportunity to participate in this life-changing experience. Donations also support our free holiday concerts which bring uplifting music to underserved audiences. To make a contribution before year-end, please visit our website . Thank you!
Spotlight on our Partner The Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra
Celebrate the holidays with The SPCO! 

GTCYS students, families, and friends are invited to join the SPCO for holiday performances of Bach's Brandenburg Concertos and Handel's
Messiah ! Be part of an annual holiday tradition and bring the whole family to these special performances at the Ordway Concert Hall and The Basilica of Saint Mary. 
 
Friday | Dec 11 | 8:00pm
Saturday | Dec 12 | 8:00pm 

Bach: Brandenburg Concerto Nos. 2-6   
Continuing an annual holiday tradition, the SPCO presents Bach's most treasured set of orchestral works, the Brandenburg Concertos. These cornerstones of the Baroque literature have been praised by generations of music lovers for their profound inventiveness and dazzling instrumental virtuosity. Join the SPCO for these musician-led concerts that showcase their musicians' individual and collective talents on core works of the chamber music repertoire.   

Handel's Messiah
Copresented with The Basilica of Saint Mary
Thursday | Dec 17 | 7:30pm 
Basilica of Saint Mary, Minneapolis

Handel: Messiah -
Hear it in the SPCO's Listening Library! Celebrate the holidays with one of classical music's most beloved traditions as the SPCO performs Handel's Messiah with British conductor Matthew Halls. A cherished holiday custom since its premiere in 1742, this masterpiece of the Baroque repertoire features some of the most popular refrains in Western music-from "Comfort ye, my people" to the iconic "Hallelujah Chorus." This is sure to be a wonderful musical experience for the whole family and a highlight of the Twin Cities holiday season.

In This Issue 

Media Spotlight 

GTCYS conductor Dr. Benjamin Klemme was featured in a recent article.   
 
Symphony's performance of Dvořäk's Symphony No. 9, From the New World, was featured on Classical MPR in November. If you missed it, click the link to listen.

O ur segment was rebroadcast on October 11. Follow the link to watch it online.

Upcoming Activities

Winter Auditions
Saturday, December 12
Mayflower Church, Minneapolis

A final round of second-semester auditions will be held for specific instrument openings - please see our website for details. Need-based scholarships are available. Register online and be sure to review the audition details.

                                      
Symphony Concert: Captivating Landscapes
Friday, December 18 at 7:30pm   
2128 Fourth St. S, Minneapolis
Mark Russell Smith, coductor
Tickets:
$6 - $10 in advance; $10 - $14 at the door  Purchase online , at the door, or call 651.291.1144 
 
This lively series-opener, conducted by Mark Russell Smith, features Argentina Tour repertoire with two pieces that elicit the romanticism of untamed landscapes and passionate ranchers. John Williams' cinematic score The Cowboys Overture portrays the American West, and Argentinian composer Alberto Ginastera's vibrant Malambo from the ballet Estancia captures the spirited competition of suitors vying for the heart of a young woman. The program also includes movements from Brahms' Symphony No. 2.