May 5, 2025 [Kannapolis, North Carolina] – Audiences were treated to performances from all of NCYO’s performing ensembles and orchestras at Kannapolis Middle School on Monday Night. First to take the stage was Junior Woodwind Ensemble who showed off their hard work and progress with “Psalm for the Archbishop” by Tomas Tallis, “Greensleeves”, and “Embarkation for Cythera” by Francis Poulenc.
They were followed by Junior Brass Ensemble who performed two pieces, “Downfall” and “Euphoria” both by Ryan Meeboer. JBE impressed as their director, Andrew Feirova, exited the stage, so they could perform one of their pieces as a chamber ensemble.
Brass Ensemble entertained with Ludwig Maurer’s “Three Pieces, No. 1”, The Beatles’ classic “Penny Lane”, and “A Nightingale Sang in Berkeley Square” by Maschwitz and Sherwin.
Next, Woodwind Ensemble wowed with three pieces. They performed “Intermezzo from First Suite in E♭” by Holst and “Prelude in C# Minor ‘Bells of Moscow’” by Rachmaninoff before taking the audience to Hollywood with “Highlights from La La Land” by Maschwitz and Sherwin.
During intermission, audience members had the opportunity to view and bid on auction items in NCYO’s annual silent auction. Through this effort, donors and auction winners raised over $3000 to help NCYO in its mission to make orchestral music accessible to area students.
After intermission, Sinfonia Strings Ensemble displayed remarkable growth with the renditions of “Brandenburg Concerto No. 3, 1st movement” by J.S. Bach and “Burst!” by Brian Balmages.
Adventure was Philharmonic’s theme with their performances of “Dark Adventure” by Ralph Ford and “Great Movie Adventures” which includes themes from “Star Wars”, “Jurassic Park”, and “E.T.”
Orchestra closed out the evening with three fantastic performances. First they channeled video game character, Link, with “The Legend of Zelda” by Koji Kondo. Then they took the audience to Tolkien’s fantasy world with “The Lord of the Rings: Fellowship of the Ring” by Howard Shore and then to the zoo with Hans Zimmer’s “Zooster’s Breakout” from “Madagascar”.
To make the night extra special, NCYO Director Eric Boruff paused the performance to honor NCYO’s graduating seniors: Mackenzie Knowles, Bradyn Wylie, Evan Sharpe, Haydn Thompson, Jacob Duddy, James Curpas, Ella Kuzara, Kayi Sewavi, and concertmaster Jacob Pecoraro. NCYO is honored to have been a part of each of their musical journeys and wishes them all the best.