For Immediate Release
May 3, 2004

BSO's (Boston Symphony Orchestra) First Violinist Performs with MetYSO (Metrowest Youth Symphony Orchestra) in Spring Concert

Sheila Fiekowsky, violinist of the BSO, and the 2004 MetYSO Artist-in-Residence will perform with the young musicians of the Metrowest Youth Symphony Orchestra at the Spring Concert on Sunday, May 16, 2004, 3:00 p.m. at Massachusetts Bay Community College, 19 Flagg Street, Framingham. Under the musical direction of conductor Gilbert Trout, MetYSO will perform Sergei Prokofiev's Lieutenant Kije Suite on their own as well as Max Bruch's Violin Concerto in G Minor with Sheila Fiekowsky. As this season's Artist in Residence, Ms. Fiekowsky has been attending rehearsals as well as playing and providing guidance to the MetYSO musicians. MetYSO, currently in its fifth year, is comprised of 38 young musicians.

Admission to the concert is free, and the facility is wheelchair accessible.

As a violinist of the BSO and on the faculty of the Tanglewood Music Center since 1975, Ms. Fiekowsky has pleased crowds as a member of the orchestra and as a soloist. Ms. Fiekowsky appeared as a soloist at the age of sixteen while a student of Emily Mutter Austin. Ms. Fiekowsky has performed in chamber music performances with Yo Yo Ma, Emanuel Ax, and Garrick Ohlsson and has appeared at the Marlboro, Norfolk and Aspen Music festivals. She is a graduate of the Curtis Institute of Music and received her master’s degree from Yale University. "Sheila is a fabulous performer and teacher and I am honored that she is sharing her talent with MetYSO," said Gilbert Trout. "I believe that MetYSO is unique as our Artist-in-Residence Program provides our musicians a unique privilege to play with and learn from a world-class performer."

"I have enjoyed playing with this group of talented young musicians," said Sheila Fiekowksy. "We chose to perform Bruch's violin concerto which is both a romantic and challenging collaborative between the orchestra and the soloist."  Added Gilbert Trout, "Lieutenant Kije, in contrast, is a quirky, satirical piece of music based on the life and death of a fictitious character. There are a number of wonderful musical solos within the five movements."

The public is invited to this concert, as well as an open rehearsal on Sunday, May 9, 2004 from 2-5. MetYSO continues to recruit talented, young musicians. Auditions for all orchestral instruments will be held on September 19, 2004 from 12-2. For more information about MetYSO, visit the orchestra's website at www.metYSO.org.