While some SHS students spend Sunday relaxing, others take the time out of their Sunday afternoon to play music. Julia Lancman, 10, plays the violin in the Cincinnati Symphony Youth Orchestra (CSYO), representing Sycamore’s musical talent.
For Lancman, the violin has always been a passion. In seventh grade, her teacher pushed her to audition for eighth grade’s CSYO. After her acceptance, she realized how much she loves the group and continued ever since. Lancman has played the violin for 11 years and has participated in CSYO for the last three.
CSYO is a selective group of youth musicians across Cincinnati who want to do more than just a school band. Students audition in front of current Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra (CSO) members and are placed based on skill level into one of two orchestras: concert and philharmonic.
Lancman is in the Philharmonic Orchestra, which has three concerts in a season – one in December, one side-by-side with the CSO, and one spring concert. “We perform at Cincinnati’s Music Hall, and for the side-by-side concert with the CSO, a lot of kids and schools come to watch,” Lancman explained.
CSYO members rehearse every Sunday at The University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory for Music (CCM) for around 2-3 hours. Rehearsals are demanding and focused, and “the conductor is strict,” Lancman said. They rehearse various pieces of music ranging from modern pieces, concertos, and classical works.
“I love playing with my friends, and playing the violin is something I just enjoy doing,” she said. Lancman explained that rehearsals feel like hanging out on Sunday even though they play music for a long time.
