Principal Orchestra
The Principal Orchestra is the Norwalk Youth Symphony's most advanced ensemble and is comprised of players who demonstrate highly advanced technical and musical ability.
A full symphonic orchestra, the Principal Orchestra performs demanding orchestral classical, romantic, and 20th century repertoire such as full length symphonies, symphonic poems, overtures, and concertos.
In addition to performing three concerts a season in Norwalk City Hall's acoustically vibrant concert hall and one performance at our yearly Annual Giving Concert in the Stamford Town Center, the Principal Orchestra regularly performs in the world's most renowned concert venues including Carnegie Hall and Ozawa Hall at Tanglewood. In 2008, we embarked on our first international tour to Austria, Hungary and the Czech Republic, performing to enthusiastic audiences in historically significant venues. The ensemble tours every two years and is looking forward to our tour to Italy in the summer of 2010.
The Principal Orchestra has collaborated with the local musicians and arts organizations such as concert pianist Frederick Chiu and several performances with the Ballet School of Stamford. Each year, members of the orchestra are invited to audition for our Concerto Competition. The winner of the competition performs with the orchestra on our annual Mother's Day Concert in May.
Sample Repertoire
- DVORAK Symphony No. 9 in E minor, Op. 95, "From The New World"
- RESPIGHI The Pines of Rome
- TCHAIKOVSKY Symphony No. 6 in B minor, "Pathetique", Op. 74
- de FALLA El Sombrero de Tres Picos (The Three-Cornered Hat)
- DUKAS The Sorcerer's Apprentice
- COPLAND Appalachian Spring
- RIMSKY-KORSAKOV Scheherazade
- BORODIN Symphony No. 2 in B minor
- GERSHWIN An American In Paris
- BERNSTEIN Four Dance Episodes from West Side Story
- MOZART Overture to the Marriage of Figaro
- STRAVINSKY Firebird Suite
- SHOSTAKOVICH Festive Overture