May 3, 2026 [Huntersville, North Carolina] – On Sunday, May 3, NCYO closed out another successful season with a spectacular showcase featuring all of its established performing ensembles and debuting its newest ensemble, Youth Choir.
Youth Choir took the stage first. The ensemble performed four pieces- Let Peace Begin with Me, Shady Grove, The Ferris Wheel, and The Wellerman. Shady Grove, a traditional Appalachian folksong, featured soloist Christina Marzouq and violinist Annabelle Flowers. The Ferris Wheel featured soloist Joshua Colvard, who opened the piece by informing the audience that the Ferris wheel was designed by George Washington Gale Ferris Jr. for the 1893 World’s Columbian Exposition in Chicago and intended to rival the Eiffel Tower, the focal point of the Paris Exposition in 1889. The ensemble closed their set with a rollicking rendition of The Wellerman, a traditional New Zealand folksong that audience members may have recognized thanks to its recent popularity on social media. Soft launched in January of this year, NCYO Youth Choir looks forward to growing its program and becoming another beloved NCYO staple.
Next to take the stage was Brass Ensemble. Brass Ensemble played two pieces- Overture from Divertimento for Brass Quintet by Czech born composer Karel Husa. Next, Brass Ensemble delighted audience members with the well-known British pop classic Yesterday by The Beatles.
Junior Woodwind Ensemble then took the stage to perform three pieces, Invention No. 1 by Johann Sebastian Bach, Molly on the Shore by Percy Grainger, and He’s a Pirate by Klaus Badelt and Hans Zimmer. Junior Woodwind Ensemble was then joined onstage by Junior Brass Ensemble for a combined performance of Themes from Jurassic Park by John Williams.
Junior Brass Ensemble then performed Fly with Me, a piece composed by Dallas Brass and intended for young student ensembles.
The Woodwind Ensemble delivered a captivating performance of three pieces—Cantina Band, Golden Hour, and How to Train Your Dragon—with Golden Hour standing out as a particular highlight, not only for its energy and nuance but also because it was thoughtfully arranged by the ensemble’s own Manjit Samantary, whose artistry on the tenor saxophone added a personal and memorable touch.
The Percussion Ensemble followed with spirited performances of Ticking Tacos and Tomfoolery, showcasing both precision, cooperation, and the incredible multitasking skills required to deliver cohesive and delightful pieces.
Sinfonia Strings, joined by Philharmonic, displayed their growth as musicians and as an ensemble with performances of Wood Splitter Fanfare and Themes from How to Train Your Dragon. Philharmonic then presented lyrical and expressive Highlights from The Greatest Showman featuring an impressive solo by violinist Benny James.
Finally, Orchestra took their places to perform Symphony No. 3 by Emilie Mayer. Mayer was a German Romantic composer who was often called the “Female Beethoven”. Although she enjoyed considerable success during her lifetime, her work fell out of fashion after her death. However, in recent years her work has enjoyed a resurgence and appreciation by both scholars and musicians alike.
And of course, we can’t forget NCYO’s wonderful seniors: David Sarley, John Johnson, Danielle Simmons, Kaylei Woods, Iletou Tsogli, Holland Grace Hunoval, DeAndra Molina, and Dan Sarley who were presented with a gift to commemorate their time with NCYO.
