The number of band students from Fayette County Schools making the cut to perform with the Atlanta Symphony Youth Orchestra (ASYO) has nearly doubled from a year ago and is a record-breaking number for the school system.
A total of 12 students were accepted into the 2015-2016 season of the ASYO, compared to seven last year. The students are Jennifer Deng, violin, J.C. Booth Middle; Jefferson Downs, cello, McIntosh High; Wilfred Farquharson, viola, Fayette County High; Tyler Lane, French horn, McIntosh High; Errol Rhoden, III, tuba, Fayette County High; Kalli Edwards, bassoon, Fayette County High; Rachel Anders, flute, McIntosh High; Parker Olson, percussion, McIntosh High; Michael Dehan, percussion, McIntosh High; Alisha Zamore, clarinet, McIntosh High; Steven Lukehart, trumpet, McIntosh High; and Ryan Kontos, bass (first alternate), Whitewater High.
Teachers of these students include Amanda Moran (orchestra), J.C. Booth Middle; Patti Davis (orchestra), Fayette County High; Dr. Myra Rhoden (band), Fayette County High; James Hagberg (orchestra), McIntosh High; Barbara Baker (band), McIntosh High; and Darilyn Esterline (orchestra), Whitewater High.
Established in 1974, the Atlanta Symphony Youth Orchestra provides Atlanta’s most talented and dedicated students an outlet to perform masterworks. The orchestra presents a three-concert series each year, and members have exclusive invitations to participate in readings and master classes with top artists in the instrumental music industry.
