The Youth Chamber Orchestra (YCO), a string orchestra of young musicians from Philadelphia, USA, will perform at the Norðurljós Hall of Harpa on Friday, June 16th at 8:00 PM. Admission is free for those 18 years old and younger, and there is a discount on tickets for senior citizens.
Snorri Sigfús Birgisson composed the piece “Islands” for YCO, dedicating it to the orchestra’s conductor, Aaron Picht. The piece was first performed in Philadelphia in 2022 and will be presented in Iceland for the first time. The program also includes Serenade by Josef Suk, as well as works by J.S. Bach, Mozart, Grieg, and John Corigliano. The String Orchestra of Sigursvein Music School will join YCO in performing Mozart’s Divertimento.
YCO is made up of 20 exceptional students aged 13 to 18 from the Music Prep’s Center for Gifted Young Musicians, which was founded in 1986. The program includes three string orchestras and smaller chamber groups, all receiving guidance from members of The Philadelphia Orchestra and leading musicians from Philadelphia. Many former students from Music Prep now perform professionally, including members of The Philadelphia Orchestra. Aaron Picht has been the conductor of YCO since 2013.
YCO has had a longstanding collaboration with Sigursveins Music School, and this marks their fourth visit to Iceland. The partnership between Aaron Picht and Helga Þórarinsdóttir, conductor of the Sigursveins Music School String Orchestra, was the foundation for the collaboration of the two string orchestras. All proceeds from the concert will go toward fundraising for a new wheelchair-accessible van for Helga Þórarinsdóttir.