GDYO Wind Symphony
The GDYO Wind Symphony will perform in a side-by-side concert with the Dallas Wind Symphony on Jan. 22.
GDYO’s Wind Symphony will share the stage with the Dallas Wind Symphony on Tuesday, Jan. 22, in a side-by-side concert. The concert, which begins at 8 p.m. at the Meyerson Symphony Center, offers high school students throughout the Dallas area the opportunity to rehearse and perform challenging repertoire alongside professional musicians.
“Education is a huge part of what we do here at the Dallas Wind Symphony,” said founder and executive director Kim Campbell. “Our musicians are also band leaders, private teachers, and clinicians who work with many of these students through their school bands, as well as the Greater Dallas Youth Orchestra.”
The 59-member GDYO Wind Symphony kicks off the concert with three selections under the direction of Dr. Nicholas Williams, Assistant Director of Wind Studies and Director of the Green Brigade Marching Band at the University of North Texas.
“The kids love the opportunity to perform alongside these musicians, whom they all look up to,” said Chuck Moore, executive director of the Greater Dallas Youth Orchestra. “The word ‘awesome’ comes up a lot. I overheard one say, ‘Who would ever have thought I would get to play Maslanka with these guys?’ It means a lot to them. It’s something they all want to do.”
Following the GDYO performance, the Dallas Wind Symphony will take the stage under the direction of Artistic Director and Conductor Jerry Junkin. The concert will culminate with the combined GDYO/DWS ensemble performing the finale of David Maslanka’s Symphony No. 2, with Junkin again conducting.
“This concert gives young musicians an opportunity to rehearse and perform with some of the top professionals in the area,” Campbell said. “It really raises the bar for everyone. The students want to play well for their teachers and mentors, and the pros are extra careful not to mess up in front of their students. Everyone has a great time, but the real winners are the people in the audience, who get to hear a great concert, and see the future of band music up there on the stage.”