We won!!

We won!!! Actually, we tied for first with the West Lake Youth Orchestra from New Zealand! The orchestra sounded phenomenal at the Musikverein...it was a wall of sound, and so lush and warm. Having the orchestra on these fairly steep risers makes such a difference! Listening to the groups who performed ahead of us, you could tell there was a fantastic reverberation, and when NJYS got on the stage after several string-only orchestras, the sound was unlike any other. They played Candide Overture, Beethoven Symphony No. 1, Finale, and Tchaikovsky, Symphony No. 5, Finale. The judges all commented on the excellent programming, and the beautiful sound of the orchestra.

Immediately following the competition audition, we boarded the bus to go to Pottsching... a venue similar to the Marlboro Music Festival and Maverick Festival venues. A rustic and charming old barn, and, again, the orchestra sounded fantastic! Candide and the entire Tchaik five, were followed by two encores: Dvorak Slavonic Dance #8 and Stars and Stripes. The audience was so enthusiastic!

This morning we traveled to the University of Vienna Music Department and were coached by two of the judges: Georg Mark and Aleksandr Markovic (http://www.sclfestival.org/jury.htm) who had fantastic suggestions for making what was sounding great, sound even better. It was a terrific opportunity to work with these renowned conductors.

After some free time and rest we are off to the MuTh (Music and Theater) which is a new venue built for the Vienna Boys Choir. We will perform the Hindemith Symphonic Metamorphosis and have a late dinner following the concert. Tomorrow will be a big day with some rehearsing, a little sight-seeing and then going to the Konzerhaus for sound check and festivities surrounding the Gala Winners Concert!!

(PS: We just got back from the MuTh concert and dinner which were both wonderful.)