The key to success for three local youths is to be in key while performing with the Colorado Springs Youth Symphony Association. The CSYSA has been offering young musicians an opportunity to display their talent for 25 years.”It’s a really great organization with excellent conductors, and the kids are really talented,” said Kristen Rochester, a Falcon High School sophomore. “We get challenging music, but at the same time it’s really fun.” She has been playing the clarinet with the Pikes Peak Winds for over one year.Nancy Pittman, the CSYSA board of directors president, said the CSYSA is comprised of six groups: Amadeus Strings, ages 7 to 14 years old; Vivance String Orchestra, ages 8 to 14 years old; Pikes Peak Concert Band, ages 12 to16 years old; Encore!, ages 12 to18 years old; Pikes Peak Winds and the Youth Symphony, all high school age. About 285 youths participate in the CSYSA, she said.Alisha Lillion, a Falcon High School sophomore, has just started playing the flute with the Pikes Peak Concert Band. She also plays with the FHS symphonic band. Her advice is “practice hard and be prepared to be challenged.”Lillion said the hard work pays off when she listens to “all the instruments around and how the final piece sounds when it is all put together.”A lot of comments from the students and their parents are that it has made them more well-rounded and dedicated to their music,” Pittman said of the participation in the CSYSA.Pittman said the CSYSA mission statement is “to provide for the artistic and educational development of young people in the Pikes Peak region by providing high quality and diverse musical experiences that enrich the cultural environment of our community.”The CSYSA holds concerts at Benet Hill Monastery and the Pikes Peak Center. Not only do they perform locally, but also in other parts of the world, Pittman said.”A big part of our organization is touring. Performing in different venues is very broadening,” Pittman said. This year the Youth Symphony and the Pikes Peak Winds performed at Carnegie Hall in New York City and in 2000 the Youth Symphony traveled to Austria and won first place at the International Music Festival, she said.Rochester, who also plays the clarinet with the FHS band, said she would choose Royal Albert Hall in England to perform if she could perform anywhere in the world.”My mom is from England and her family still loves there,” she said, “I would like to play in a place that is renowned.”Rebecca Fathman is in her third year with the CSYSA and is a performer with the Encore! youth orchestra this year. Fathman said she would like to perform in another country because “I would have people from a different country I could play for.” She attends Rampart High School and has been playing the French horn for three years.”I like the sound of the French – it’s fun to play – and you can express your emotions through music,” she said.”The musicians audition every year and are selected by performance level, skill level, and understanding of music,” Pittman said. “All the positions are earned.”Rochester said her advice to kids interested in auditioning for the CSYSA is “just go for it.”
