News

2015-16 NBYO season debut in Edmundston. Photo by Michel Carrier.

Miramichi Leader -- Letter to the Editor -- November 23, 2016

The internationally acclaimed New Brunswick Youth Orchestra returns to Miramichi from Dec. 2 to 4, for a performance of Inspiring Excellence at the James M. Hill Memorial High School auditorium.

The mission of NBYO is to inspire children and youth to achieve their potential through learning and performing orchestral music. NBYO members have proudly represented our province regionally and in five international learning tours over the past 13 years.

Last march NBYO staged its season finale Songs of Freedom concert before a spellbound full house in Miramichi with special guest artist, the incomparable Measha Brueggergosman.

Sistema NB is a free daily after school orchestral outreach program of the NBYO, offering inspiration primarily to underserved children in communities across the province. NBYO opened our sixth Sistema NB centre in Miramichi in January of 2016. We now daily serve over 900 New Brunswick children and youth at eight Sistema NB centres in Moncton, Saint John, Richibucto, Tobique First Nation, Edmundston, Miramichi, Hillsborough, and Elsipogtog First Nation.

The welcome NBYO has received in Miramichi for concerts and our recently launched Sistema NB program has been heart-warming and inspiring.

Young lives are being transformed. Our families, communities, and New Brunswick society are the beneficiaries. We invite you to host a few New Brunswick Youth Orchestra musician ambassadors in your homes for a two-night stay — Dec. 2 and 3. The orchestra will rehearse at James M. Hill Memorial High School that Friday and Saturday. Host families are needed to help our members enjoy Miramichi and experience your community’s renowned hospitality.

Here is a brief sketch of the weekend timetable for NBYO billeting hosts during the rehearsal-concert weekend:

• Pick up billets from James M. Hill on Friday Night at approximately 10 p.m.

• Saturday morning breakfast and transportation to James M. Hill

• Pick up Saturday evening – time TBD

• Sunday morning breakfast and transportation to James M. Hill

Please contact Don Matheson at NBYO by the end of day on Friday, Nov. 25 if you are willing to host a few NBYO members for an exciting weekend of music making and community building. (Phone: 506-866-7920 or Email: drmatheson@nbyo-ojnb.com)

Host families are asked to provide bed and breakfast for a minimum of two orchestra members. They will also need rides to and from James M. Hil Memorial High Schooll. A complimentary pair of tickets to the NBYO concert on Sunday, Dec. 4 will be provided to each host family with our sincere thanks.

We can’t wait to perform for you again…and to experience great Miramichi hospitality!

Don Matheson--Chief Operating Officer, New Brunswick Youth Orchestra