Aya Pelkum Donahue, Nederland. Nederland is the perfect place to go to school, surrounded by wilderness and with countless opportunities just down the hill. One of these, gaining more and more interest from Ned schools every year, is the Greater Boulder Youth Orchestras (GBYO). GBYO is a non-profit music organization consisting of four main orchestras/ensembles. Currently, five Nederland students are enrolled.

In GBYO, the benevolent conductors work with the students to practice and polish a piece of music. Rehearsals bring together students from different places and backgrounds, from the mountains of Nederland to even Cheyenne, Wyoming. Working in a group dynamic while honing music techniques becomes an important skill builder for each student.

“I have definitely improved musically as a result of GBYO, but I’ve also learned to be more professional, how to prepare and work hard for a big performance.” said Ande Hammers, a Nederland violinist in GBYO’s Sinfonia orchestra. “I’ve gained much more appreciation for orchestras and musicians of all kinds. It’s a lot of work, but the experience is very rewarding and it helped me grow as a person as well as improve my musical skills.”

To become a part of a GBYO orchestra, students (ages 6 - 21) audition in front of two of the wonderful conductors. Though most students have never played in an audition setting before, the kindness and understanding of the conductors soon eases some of the tension.

“I imagined my first GBYO audition to be difficult and scary, and although it was hard, it was also more fun than I expected.” said Ande. “Everyone was supportive and kind, and I already felt very welcome.”

The conductors are indeed welcoming, and it doesn’t take long for students to feel comfortable and confident in rehearsal. Sectionals, in which each instrument section practices separately (cellos separate from violins), also form a friendship bond with peers. Conductors also make this possible in regular rehearsals, as well as making connections with individual students.

“I like how the conductors make the rehearsals interactive and engaging for everyone, but still work on the pieces to prepare for the concerts.” says Keahi, a Nederland cellist in GBYO’s Symphony orchestra. “The conductors make rehearsals engaging by demonstrating passages, asking for volunteers to play a section for the rest of the group, and asking questions for everyone to answer.”

Students also enjoy the atmosphere created by conductors, making it less intimidating to ask questions and play confidently. Many agree that the student - conductor relationship is a perfect combination of professionalism and fun.

Rehearsals may be hard work, and no student likes the sound of the word “practice,” but it all becomes worth it at the end of the season, when each orchestra performs at the castle-like Mackey Auditorium. 

Not only do the high brick walls excite students upon entrance; backstage is full of chattering students and instruments and random props from a recent opera performance. Going on stage, however, brings most students beyond excitement. The soaring ceiling, the multi-level seating, and the fact that famous musicians, even Yo-Yo Ma, have played on this exact stage combine to make each student at least as proud as their parents smiling from the audience.

This definitely contributes to “challenging, engaging, and fun”, the three words most used by students to describe GBYO and now the organization’s motto.

GBYO is an inspiration to all its students, and many graduate to go on to musical careers. Ryan Farris, a music school graduate from Nederland and former GBYO student says, “GBYO is where I made a lot of my best friends through high school, and a lot of friends that I ended up going to college with too! It was a lot more valuable for me from a social perspective than actual high school ever was. It was also deeply rewarding both musically and personally. Even if you don’t study music in college, GBYO inspires many people to make music an important and meaningful part of their lives going forward.”

GBYO is proud that no student has been turned away because of financial reasons. They maintain a financial assistance program and encourage families to apply. 

For more information about GBYO, check out http://www.greaterboulderyo.org/

(Originally published in the May 13, 2021, edition of The Mountain-Ear.)