Brunswick MS Orchestra Update

Orchestra Families,

I hope you have an amazing spring break! Before we leave for break I want to share some important information with you regarding the Orchestra Spring Concerts! We have an exciting opportunity to work with a guest artist, Greg Byers, from the Electrify Your Symphony (EYS) program. Due to this unique concert we will be selling tickets for this performance. Tickets will be $10 for general admission and $15 for reserved seating. (Student performers do not need a ticket) Ticket links can be found below, please make sure you are purchasing for the correct evening! 7th Grade will perform on Monday, May 12th and 6th/8th Grades will perform on Tuesday, May 13th.

Please review this newsletter regarding ticket information and parent volunteers. After break more information regarding student schedules during their performance days will be shared out.

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to reach out!

Have a safe Spring Break!

Mrs. Erdman serdman@bcsoh.org

Check out our Orchestra Website

Here is some information about the two orchestra concerts featuring Electrify Your Symphony with guest artist Greg Byers on May 12th and 13th:

May 12th Concert

Location: Brunswick High School PAC
Time: 7:00 pm
Program: The concert will feature a dynamic blend of classical and contemporary music, with arrangements that highlight the unique sound of Electrify Your Symphony. Greg Byers, known for his eclectic style and versatility on both cello and bass, will join the orchestra to perform a selection of energetic pieces. This concert will feature orchestra students from the following groups: 7th Grade, 9th Grade, and Philharmonia Orchestras
Highlights: Expect performances of popular rock and pop arrangements, such as "Immigrant Song" or "Blinding Lights

* More details and daily schedules for the students will be released after Spring Break*

May 13th Concert

Location: Brunswick High School PAC
Time: 7:00 pm
Program: The concert will feature a dynamic blend of classical and contemporary music, with arrangements that highlight the unique sound of Electrify Your Symphony. Greg Byers, known for his eclectic style and versatility on both cello and bass, will join the orchestra to perform a selection of energetic pieces. This concert will feature orchestra students from the following groups: 6th Grade, 8th Grade, and Camerata Orchestras
Highlights: Expect performances of popular rock and pop arrangements, such as "Strings Will Rock You" or "Africa"!

* More details and daily schedules for the students will be released after Spring Break*

Greg Byers brings such a positive and powerful punch to the EYS team of Artist Mentors. Throughout his lifelong pursuit of music, Greg has overcome countless obstacles to become an idiosyncratic performer, composer, educator, and producer.

Greg started playing cello at The Family Suzuki School of Rochester, NY at the uncharacteristically young age of 2 1/2. By age sixteen, he was a talented cellist, but was frustrated with the lack of personal expression found in youth orchestras.

Thanks to several mentors, Greg began to explore the possibilities of the cello in a jazz context. After beginning the undergraduate program at University of Miami, Greg wanted to officially switch his major to Studio Music & Jazz, which was initially denied because he was a cellist. Shelly Berg, the current Dean of the Frost School of Music, took over in 2007 and saw Greg’s perseverance. In the end Greg became the first person to double major in Instrumental Performance/Studio Music & Jazz on cello and bass, Summa Cum Laude.

Learn more about Greg here: https://www.cellogreg.com/ or https://www.electrifyyoursymphony.com/greg-byers

Follow Greg on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cellogreg/

Electrify Your Symphony is a program founded by Mark Wood that aims to energize music education by integrating rock and roll elements into traditional orchestral settings. The program has been featured on major networks like The Today Show and CBS Evening News, and it visits numerous schools annually to promote music education and raise funds for local programs. They are celebrating their 25th year in 2025.

Click here to learn more about the Electrify Your Symphony (EYS) Program: https://www.electrifyyoursymphony.com/

Parent Volunteers: In order to make these concert a success we will need parent support for supervision of students during rehearsal, dinner times, ticket scanners, and more! Please consider signing up. Parent volunteers will receive a discounted ticket.

Mrs. Sarah Erdman teaches 6th, 7th and 8th Grade Orchestra at Brunswick Middle School.

Email: serdman@bcsoh.org
Website: https://sites.google.com/s.bcsoh.org/brunswick-orchestras/home
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BrunwickOrchestras/
Twitter: @MrsErdman_Orch

Mrs. Michelle Neubauer teaches 6th and 7th Grade Band and 7th Grade Orchestra at Brunswick Middle School.

Email: mneubauer@bcsoh.org