New Year's Eve with the VYO
Toolbox
Published: December 26, 2008
BURLINGTON – First Night Burlington will present the Vermont Youth Orchestra in two performances on Wednesday, Dec. 31, at noon and 4:30 p.m., at Burlington's Flynn Center for the Performing Arts. Conductor Troy Peters will lead the VYO in a program that combines popular and classical musical styles, including selections from "West Side Story" and "Raiders of the Lost Ark." Audiences are in for a treat as Williston native Duncan Yandell joins the orchestra to perform a medley of traditional Cape Breton fiddle tunes. Duncan has combined his passion for both classical violin and fiddling for over eleven years. A member of the VYOA for the past seven years, this is his final year as a violinist and fiddler with the VYO. Seeing Natalie McMaster performing live was the catalyst that began Duncan's love for fiddling. Smitten with both her fiddling style and the music she played, he began to augment his violin lessons with fiddle lessons, teaching himself the fiddling style, listening to recordings and taking workshops with masters of the instrument. He shifts easily between orchestral concerts with the VYO and gigs as a solo fiddler or with his Celtic fusion band, Pale Fire. As he completes his senior year at Champlain Valley Union High School, Duncan hopes to pursue a major in animal science at college and to continue playing the music he loves – on both the violin and fiddle. The orchestra will also present the world premiere of "Midnight Unfolding," an original composition written by Vermont MIDI Project student Zach Sheets.
For First Night buttons and additional information, contact the First Night office at (802) 863-6005 or visit www.firstnightburlington.com. For additional information on the VYOA, go online to www.vyo.org.
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