Greetings, and welcome to a new season of the SDSYO.

As I write this, we have just completed our dress rehearsal for our “Celebrate America!” which includes a side-by-side performance of Bernstein’s “Candide” Overture with the youth orchestra. I am so proud of these students who have prioritized music in their lives; for all of the discipline and teamwork yes, but primarily for their dedication to the pursuit of beauty.

Creating beauty together is an immensely enriching and rewarding activity, to be sure, and not only for individuals, but for our community. Listening together to music and playing it together simply makes us better people. We can all take these experiences with us wherever we go in life, but especially students — they need beauty in their lives in order to grow well, to pursue goals with the right and best intent. Every moment spent in the pursuit of their personal best in music (again, individually and corporately) is an investment in our future together.

Thank you all, parents and relatives and friends, for being a part of our journey.

Delta David Gier
SDSO Music Director