Today at 3 p.m., the Alabama Youth Symphony will perform under the baton of its new conductor, Jon Remley. The AYS is the premiere ensemble of the Music Opportunity Program, and consists of advanced high school musicians. The free program will include the March from Verdi's "Aida," Biber's "Battalia" and Grieg's "Peer Gynt" Suite No. 1, Op. 46.

The concert takes place at Indian Springs Concert Hall, 190 Woodward Drive. For more information, including MOP events and audition information, call 231-9504 or go to www.musicop.org.

Michael Huebner is fine arts writer and classical music critic.
E-mail him at mhuebner@bhamnews.com.
Blog: blog.al.com/mhuebner

Birmingham, AL. - On Sunday, November 16th the Alabama Youth Symphony under the direction of Dr. Jon Remley will open their season with an enjoyable selection of musical repertoire for small orchestra.  The concert will be one of three held at the Indian Springs Concert Hall, 190 Woodward Drive just off of Highway 119 at 3:00 p.m.  It is free and families are encouraged to attend.

Dr. Jon Remley took the helm of the Alabama Youth Symphony this season as former director Yuri Henriques moved to Chattanooga, TN.  Dr. Remley is currently Supervisor of Bands for Jefferson County Schools.  In his 31^st year as an instrumental music educator, he holds a PhD in Music Education from the University of North Texas, a Masters for East Texas State University and Bachelors from Henderson State University.  A musician himself, he performs with the Cahaba Saxophone Quartet, Superjazz, Po’Monkey and the Alabama Symphony.

The concert will feature works including the “March” from Aida by Giuseppe Verdi, Heinrich I.F. Biber Battalia, and Edward Grieg’s Peer Gynt Suite No 1, Opus 46.  For a complete listing of the programming, visit the Music Opportunity Program website at www.musicop.org.

The Alabama Youth Symphony is the premiere ensemble of the Music Opportunity Program (MOP) rehearsing weekly at Samford University.  Advanced high school musicians that are interested in performing with this ensemble should contact the MOP at info@musicop.org to arrange an audition.

The Music Opportunity Program currently trains more than 400 youth yearly in either string instrument instruction or youth orchestra. The cornerstone of its program is the String Academy--small group classes for 3^rd through 5^th graders--held during and after school in churches and schools throughout the greater Birmingham area. As young string musicians develop they move into private instruction and then have the opportunity to audition and train with one of three youth orchestras –Birmingham String Orchestra, a beginning string orchestra; the intermediate Birmingham Prelude Strings; and the Alabama Youth Symphony, a full orchestra for advances student musicians.  For more information on MOP programs and events, or for audition information, please contact the MOP office at 205/ 231-9504 or visit the website www.musicop.org.

For Immediate Release                                                         

Contact: Cindy Harper

 426-8461 or 903-5385 cell

Performances by Alabama Youth Symphony, Birmingham Prelude Strings, and Birmingham String Orchestra

The Music Opportunity Program is pleased to announce its Concert Season featuring performances by the Alabama Youth Symphony, the Birmingham Prelude Strings, and the Birmingham String Orchestra.  All performances are free and open to the public.  For more information on these performances, please contact MOP at 205-231-9504 or visit www.musicop.org.

Sunday, November 16– 3:00 p.m.

Alabama Youth Symphony performs their first concert of the season with Music Director Jon Remley.  – Indian Springs School Concert Hall

Wednesday, December 3 – 8 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.

The Birmingham String Orchestra will tour to several schools in the Birmingham area to present short concerts for students.  Interested schools should contact the Music Opportunity Program at 231-9504 or jholcomb@musicop.org.

Friday, December 5  – 8:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.

The Birmingham Prelude Strings will tour to several schools in the Birmingham area to present short concerts for students.  Interested schools should contact the Music Opportunity Program at 231-9504 or jholcomb@musicop.org.

Sunday, December 14 – 3:00 p.m.

Joint concert by the Birmingham Prelude Strings directed by Dr. Rita Salzberg and the Birmingham String Orchestra directed by Paul Merryman – Indian Springs School Concert Hall

Monday, December 15 – 7:00 p.m.

Enjoy a holiday concert by the Birmingham Prelude Strings and the Birmingham String Orchestra.  Free and open to the public.  Western Hills Mall.

Sunday, January 25 – 3:00 p.m.

The Indian Springs Concert Choir joins the Alabama Youth Symphony for the second season concert – Indian Springs School Concert Hall

Sunday, March 8 – 3:00 p.m.

The annual Music Opportunity Program SHOWCASE featuring the Alabama Youth Symphony, the Birmingham Prelude Strings, the Birmingham String Orchestra, and the String Academy – Boutwell Auditorium

Saturday, April 25 – 3:00 p.m.

The Music Opportunity Program String-A-Rama presents students in the String Academy in Jefferson County and Birmingham City Schools with special guests from the Alabama Youth Symphony – Location TBA

Thursday, April 30 – 8:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.

The Birmingham String Orchestra will tour to several schools in the Birmingham area to present short concerts for students.  Interested schools should contact the Music Opportunity Program at 231-9504 or jholcomb@musicop.org.

Friday, May 1– 8:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.

The Birmingham Prelude Strings will tour to several schools in the Birmingham area to present  short concerts for students.  Interested schools should contact the Music Opportunity Program at 231-9504 or jholcomb@musicop.org

Saturday, May 9 – 7:30 p.m.

The final season concert by the Birmingham Prelude Strings and the Birmingham String Orchestra – Indian Springs School Concert Hall.

Sunday, May 10 – 3:00 p.m.

Celebrate Mother’s Day with a concert by the Alabama Youth Symphony – Indian Springs Concert Hall.

May 11, 12, 14 – 7:00 p.m.

String Academy Concerts by first and second year string instrument students – UAB Hulsey Hall.

May 17 at 2:00 p.m. and May 23 at 4:00 p.m.

Solo recitals by advanced string instrument students – UAB Hulsey Hall.

The Music Opportunity Program (MOP) currently trains more than 400 youth yearly in either String Instrument Instruction or Youth Orchestra. The cornerstone of its program is the String Academy--small group classes for 3^rd through 5^th graders--held during and after school in churches and schools throughout the greater Birmingham area. As young string musicians develop they move into private instruction and then have the opportunity to audition and train with one of three youth orchestras –Birmingham String Orchestra, a beginning string orchestra; the intermediate Birmingham Prelude Strings; and the premiere Alabama Youth Symphony, a full orchestra for advances student musicians.

For more information on MOP programs and events, or for audition information, please contact the MOP office at 205-231-9504 or visit the website www.musicop.org.