In Saturday’s (7/26) Tyler Morning Telegraph (Texas), Danny Mogle writes, “Tyler Youth Orchestra has a new name and a new musical director who’s on a mission to grow the ensemble. The orchestra’s board changed the name to East Texas Youth Orchestra and hired Gene Moon, director of orchestras at Stephen F. Austin State University, as music director and conductor. Moon wants to increase the size of the ensemble to about 80 students and increase opportunities to children who want to perform.… The name change reflects the orchestra’s desire to be more regional in scope. Moon hopes ETYO will attract young musicians from as far away as Longview and Nacogdoches. He said he wants to raise awareness about the benefits of being in an orchestra in hopes that schools with thriving band programs will add string ensembles…. ‘I want to see ETYO thrive and prosper and have that success spill out into our schools,’ Moon said…. Moon said he and the board are exploring ways to increase the visibility of all the orchestras by having them perform at more public events. ‘A good youth orchestra means community involvement,’ Moon said. ‘It’s not just the kids who are involved; it’s their families and the community as well.’ ”
Posted July 28, 2014
