In 2018, Metropolitan Youth Symphony launched The Authentic Voice series in partnership with Fear No Music’s Young Composers Project. This first-of-its-kind partnership gives young composers the opportunity to write fully orchestrated pieces that are performed at each Symphony Orchestra concert, while MYS musicians gain the opportunity to play never-performed music written by their peers. Each student composer hears their piece played by MYS students at multiple rehearsals, allowing opportunities for questions, feedback, revisions, and collaboration. While student compositions were initially only performed by Symphony Orchestra, this program has expanded to include MYS Concert Orchestra, Portland Camerata and MYSfits string ensembles, and MYSticks percussion ensemble.
The Young Composers Project (YCP) provides groundbreaking mentorship in music composition for youth interested in exploring composing as a career or life passion. Professional musicians and composers train young composers (grades 5-12) and develop their new works through a series of workshops and public performances of their music. Over the years YCP students have won numerous state, regional, and national honors for their works. Past YCP participants now pursue careers with national and international profiles as orchestral, theater, film, and television composers.
MYS Authentic Voice Composers
June 16, 2024: Freedom Overture by Amir Avsker
March 3, 2024: The Steadfast Tin Soldier by Charles A. Martin
November 12, 2023: Music for an Imaginary Cartoon by Malia Baker, Elishiya Crain-Keddie, Max Evans-McGlothin, Manu Isaacs, and A’shariá Pendergrass
June 2, 2023: Locks, Lights, Out of Sight by Elaina Stuppler
March 5, 2023: Cascade Silhouette by Margot Pullen
November 13, 2022: Dance Suite for Orchestra
Minuet by Skye Neal
Courante by Amir Avsker
Waltz in C# Minor by Adrian Valenzuela
Mississippi Delta Reel by Aidan Bagby
Swinging 60’s by Kate Andrews
May 20, 2022: Untold Tales by Koharu Sakiyama; Poetry written and performed by author Laila Vickers
March 6, 2022: Rhythms in Motion by Rohan Srinivasan
November 14, 2021:
“Subwoofer Lullaby” Theme and Variations by C418 (Daniel Rosenfeld)
(from Minecraft)
Theme arr. by Dr. Ryan Francis
Variation I by Elaina Rae Stuppler
Variation II “Waltz” by Joseph Young
Variation III “Subwoofer Swing” by Haladar Wright
Variation IV by Kara Taylor
May 29, 2021 (online performance):
Epiphany by Frazar P. Henry
“Theme and Variations” on Peasant Song, Op. 65, No. 2 by Edvard Grieg
Theme orch. by Koharu Sakiyama
Variation 1 by Kara Taylor
Variation 2 by Haladar Wright
Variation 3 by Jackson Grace
Variation 4 “Wind” by Johann Mohnen
Variation 5 “Tango” by Koharu Sakiyama
Variation 6 “Express Train” by Koharu Sakiyama
March 8, 2020: Seereise by Grace Miedziak
November 10, 2019: Hidden Voices by Matthew Kaminski
May 21, 2019: Letter to Florence Price by Caleb Palka
March 3, 2019: Fugue for Orchestra by Max Ball
November 11, 2018: Tone Poem No. 1, Orpheus and Eurydice by Jake Safirstein