Young Musicians Make It Through The Audition Process

BRIDGEPORT — Greater Bridgeport Youth Orchestras has announced that over 200 talented young musicians have been accepted into the program’s 40th anniversary season.

Competitive auditions were held in early September (auditions are required for all GBYO members, even those who were in the orchestra groups in previous years) and a number of Newtown and Sandy Hook musicians made this year’s cut.

Among the members representing Newtown and Sandy Hook for the 2000-01 season are Geoff DiBeneditto, Sheila O’Connor and Christopher Thibdeau, for positions in the Principal Orchestra; James Dellasala and John Pantan, Symphony Orchestra; Gordon Johnson, Nicole Kaza, Emily Koh and Heather Snow, Concert Orchestra; and Ben Snyder, String Orchestra.

All four orchestras of GBYO are preparing a gala season to mark both the 40th anniversary of the orchestra’s program, and the 20th anniversary of Robert Genualdi’s tenure as music director. Highlights of the 2000-01 season will include a joint performance of the GBYO Principal Orchestra and Fairfield County Children’s Choir, a Young People’s Concert, a guest appearance by Joseph Genualdi during one of the season’s concerts, and the annual student concerto competition.