The Lone Star Youth Orchestra brings its incredible 23rd season to a flamboyant conclusion on May 18 with a concert titled “Fire.” This one-hour fire-themed program will feature explosive selections from Igor Stravinsky The Firebird Suite, Music for the Royal Fireworks by George Frideric Handel and “Inferno” by Stephen Chin. As an added treat, the winners of our annual LSYO Concerto Competition will each perform their pieces with our orchestra. First place winner, clarinetist Micah Bybee, will perform the Concertino in E flat major, op. 26. Violinist Florent Radakichenane, winner of second place, will play Concerto No. 23 in G major by Giovanni Battista Viotti. This is your last chance to feel the heat of the flame before our 2021-2022 season is just a burning ember that our students will long remember!

Micah Bybee is an 8th grade student at Renner Middle School in Plano. This is her second year participating in LSYO. Last season, Micah received an honorable mention as the third place winner of the concerto competition. Micah studies with private clarinet teacher Lev Daneman.

Florent Radakichenane is a 10th grade student from Grapevine who attends school online. This is his fifth year participating in LSYO. Florent follows the family tradition, as older sisters Camille (formerly) and Margaux (currently) were also valued members of the Lone Star Youth Orchestra. Florent studies with private violin teacher Barbara Allen.

Single tickets are available by visiting IrvingArtsCenter.com, calling (972) 252-2787, or purchasing at the door. Ticket prices are $7.50 per student and $14.50 for adults. Tickets are for assigned seats. Masks are strongly suggested.

“Fire” will take place on Wednesday, May 18, 2022 at 7:00 p.m. at Carpenter Hall at the Irving Arts Center. The Arts Center address is 3333 N. MacArthur Blvd., Irving, TX 75062.

The Lone Star Youth Orchestra is the only tuition-free youth orchestra in the Dallas-Fort Worth area and is one of the most crucial pre-college experiences for talented high school instrumentalists. Lone Star Youth Orchestra membership is open to all middle and high school string, wind, brass, and percussion players. Information regarding auditions for the can be found at www.lascolinassymphony.org/lsyo or by calling (972) 252-4800.

Now in his seventh year as conductor of the Lone Star Youth Orchestra, Dr. Kevin Pearce brings a unique combination of world-class musical training and an unending commitment to education. Pearce was named a finalist for the 2020 American Orchestral Conducting Award, Youth Orchestra Division. He currently teaches orchestra at Rockwall ISD, where he was named 2020-21 Teacher of the Year at Cain Middle School. Prior to his move to North Texas, Pearce was from 2008 to 2013 the first director of the orchestras at Cypress Lakes High School in the western suburbs of Houston. While in Texas, the orchestras under his direction won several UIL Sweepstakes awards and top honors at local and national festivals.

For more information on the Las Colinas Symphony Orchestra or the Lone Star Youth Orchestra, please visit LasColinasSymphony.org.