Davidson, NC [February 2, 2025] – Community members gathered at Davidson College Presbyterian Church Sunday, February 2, for a concert that began with an exciting announcement from CYO Executive Director Eric Boruff. Boruff welcomed audience members and revealed that the Cornelius Youth Orchestras is now North Carolina Youth Orchestra. He, along with Cornelius Mayor Woody Washam, Cornelius Commissioner and Mayor Pro Tem Scott Higgins, Davidson Commissioner Tracy Mattison Brandon, Huntersville Commissioner Alisia Bergsman, and Huntersville Commissioner Amanda Dumas, unveiled the new NCYO logo.
Tom Burge, Brass Ensemble director and Brass Challenge instructor, and guest pianist Lois Buesser, opened the concert with the whimsical “Eclectus”, a piece written for Burge by Australian composer Brendan Collins. As Burge readied his trombone, he explained that an eclectus is a colorful parrot native to his homeland of Australia. Burge and Buesser also treated the audience to William Grant Still’s “Romance” on euphonium and piano.
Andrew Fierova, Junior Brass Ensemble director and Brass Challenge instructor transported the audience to spring evening with the crickets and other night creatures singing their night song with “Nocturno, OP. 7” by Franz Srauss on his horn.
Brass Challenge Instructor, Peter Stammer, delighted with the wistful “Someone To Watch Over Me” by George Gershwin from the musical “Oh, Kay!” on trumpet.
Stephanie Wilson, Percussion Ensemble director and Percussion Challenge instructor, wowed with a snare drum solo, “A Minute of News” by Eugene Novotney. Throughout this upbeat piece, Wilson played with various types of drumsticks, often mismatched, to create a unique and engaging experience.
Woodwind Ensemble director and Woodwind Challenge instructor, Samuel Sparrow, paid homage to Bach on clarinet with “Hommage Á J.S. Bach” by Béla Kovȧcs. Sparrow wondered aloud why he simply did not play a piece by Bach if he wished to honor Bach. He then explained that the clarinet was a relatively new invention during Bach’s lifetime; therefore, he wrote no music for it.
Nick Ritter, Woodwind Challenge instructor, amused the audience with “Jabberwocky Jam” by John Falcone on bassoon. While Ritter played the funky piece, Tom Burge recited the nonsense poem, “Jabberwocky” by Lewis Carrol from his novel “Through the Looking Glass”.
Samuel Sparrow, Nick Ritter, and Peter Stammer then performed “Gavotta” from “Serenata, OP. 47” by Alfredo Casella as a trio.
Eric Boruff, NCYO executive director and Orchestra director, then performed the expressive Bach’s “Violin Sonata No. 3”.
Boruff, violin, was then joined on stage by Philharmonic director and Prelude Strings instructor Jen Bassett, cello, and Buesser, piano, to close out the afternoon with a lively performance of Piano Trio No. 2 by Franz Shubert.
This recital marked the orchestra’s second annual faculty performance and serves not only as an opportunity for students to enjoy their directors’ talents and artistry, but also stands as a testament to parents and community members alike to the dedication NCYO has to providing music education and opportunities to the youth of North Carolina.
