Chautauqua Regional Youth Symphony students’ regular rehearsal schedule was augmented recently with coaching by professional performer/educators in upper and lower strings, woodwinds, brass, and percussion. Support for the experience was provided by the Blossom Fund at the Chautauqua Region Community Foundation. Dr. Marc Guy, State University at Fredonia associate professor, is pictured coaching CRYS brass players.

With support from the Blossom Fund of the Chautauqua Region Community Foundation, Chautauqua Regional Youth Symphony students had a distinctive experience: intense sectional coaching by professional performer/educators.

The youth symphony has three orchestras: Prelude Strings for beginning string players, Young Artists Orchestra for intermediate musicians and Chamber Orchestra for advanced students. Bryan Eckenrode, cellist and conductor, is the symphony’s conductor and music director and leads the weekly rehearsals at Gloria Dei Lutheran Church in Lakewood.

In keeping with its priority of offering music education, the Chautauqua Regional Youth Symphony recently provided advanced coaching for its YAO and Chamber students.

Working with the students were Jennifer Jansen on upper strings; Kieran Hanlon, lower strings; Helen Ihasz, woodwinds; Dr. Marc Guy, brass; and Suzanne Fassett, percussion.

Each coach has extensive educational background as well as performing and teaching credentials.

Jansen is principal viola of Erie Chamber Orchestra, violinist with Erie Philharmonic, and instructor for Erie Junior Philharmonic Overture and Chamber Strings. Hanlon is assistant professor of double bass and jazz at the State University at Fredonia. Ihasz is instrumental music teacher at Westfield Academy and Central School and a certified NYSSMA judge. Guy teaches horn as SUNY Fredonia associate professor, and Fassett is director of arts education at Chautauqua Institution.

Chautauqua Regional Youth Symphony students are preparing for their Spring Gala Concert, Sunday, May 19, at 7 p.m., at Chautauqua Institution’s Elizabeth S. Lenna Hall. With a varied selection of works, the concert is free and followed by a reception.

Eckenrode is assisted by staff Prelude Coach Marie Karbacka, who is also Southwestern Central Schools director of orchestras for fifth through 12th grades, and string coach Cody Hiller, professional performer and Infinity Visual and Performing Arts instructor.

For more information, email ChautauquaRYS@gmail.com or visit CRYouthSymphony.com or the Chautauqua Regional Youth Symphony’s Facebook page.