The 2023 National Youth Orchestra of the United States of America selected two Saratoga High School students to join the exclusive group of young musicians.
Senior Shannon Ma, who plays violin, and junior Tejas Tirthapura, who plays viola, will join the 100-student orchestra, the Los Gatos-Saratoga Union High School District announced.
“It is a tremendous honor to have even one member from a school or geographic region; two is pretty unusual,” said Michael Boitz, music teacher at Saratoga High School. “Shannon and Tejas are remarkable students.”
The 2023 National Youth Orchestra kicks off with a two-week residency at Purchase College, State University of New York just outside New York City, before heading out on a tour across North America and performing at Carnegie Hall in New York and the Rady Shell at Jacobs Park in San Diego.
Students will work with 2023 conductor Sir Andrew Davis, conductor laureate of the Toronto Symphony Orchestra, the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra, and the BBC Symphony Orchestra.
The orchestra is organized by Carnegie Hall and its Weill Music Institute, and is in its 10th season.
Students across the country auditioned and applied for the prestigious orchestra by submitting audition videos and a video essay, a written personal essay and two references.
Source:: The Mercury News