Music plays an important role in education

Kevin Rioles believes music is an important part of his children’s education.

“I’m an engineer, so, for me, the mathematics of it makes sense,” said Kevin, a parent whose child will be performing in the Patel Conservatory Youth Orchestra (PCYO) concert this weekend. “Music is a large part of their education that they don’t get other places.”

Kevin’s daughter Christine has been playing cello with PCYO for three years. She began taking cello lessons six years ago when her family lived in Korea.

"In Korea, all students study some kind of instrument," explained Kevin.

Christine started with piano, and then added cello when a friend was taking lessons. She enjoys being part of an orchestra, where she gets to apply what she learns in private lessons to an ensemble experience.

“It’s fun because you get to meet people and enjoy something that you like doing,” said Christine.

In addition to the concert on Sunday afternoon, she's looking forward to the special opportunity to perform before the Florida Orchestra. PCYO will play before the Florida Orchestra concert at the Straz Center this Friday evening, Dec. 2, 2011.

Sunday’s concert will feature an array of music, from the opening of Symphony No. 104 by Joseph Haydn to Once Upon a December.

In preparation for the concert, Christine says she practices every day before and after school. But when she’s not practicing, she says, “I like to play volleyball at home with my brother and my father.”

Please join us for the Patel Conservatory Youth Orchestra concert on Sunday, Dec. 4, 2011 at 2:30 p.m.

The concert is a great way to introduce a young audience to the orchestra. It's also an excellent opportunity for interested musicians to experience the PCYO program. Auditions for the spring PCYO season will be Jan. 4 and 5, 2012.