Orchestra director at D-204 in Joliet to direct 63-year-old youth symphony orchestra

An accomplished music director recently joined the Metropolitan Youth Symphony Orchestra as the 63-year-old organization embarks on a rebuilding phase.

Peter Lipari of Plainfield, who is the director of orchestras at Joliet Township High School District 204, said the main focus for this year is welcoming back musicians who play winds, brass and percussion instruments and “getting people excited” again about MYSO.

For the last two years, MYSO was a strings-only ensemble, according to a news release from the organization. But now MYSO has openings in most sections of the orchestra – including violin, viola, cello, bass, harp, oboe, clarinet, bassoon, horn, trumpet and percussion – so MYSO will be holding auditions to fill those spots.

MYSO rehearses from 6:15 to 8:45 p.m. Wednesdays during the school year in the St. Charles Borromeo Convocation Hall on the campus of Lewis University and performs six concerts during each season, according to the release. Concerts are typically held at Lewis University, Joliet Junior College and Joliet Bicentennial Park.

Lipari would encourage student musicians in junior high through college to come out an audition to see if they and MYSO are a good fit, which is the point of an audition. In addition to its musical aspect, MYSO itself has a family atmosphere, Lipari said.

“We’re friendly faces and we’ll treat you right,” Lipari said.

Lipari brings plenty of experience to MYSO. Lipari is also music mirector for the West Suburban symphony orchestra, chamber orchestra, symphony singers and festival orchestra, according to the release.

He has also conducted Chicago’s Grant Park Orchestra, Rockford Symphony, Light Opera Works, St. Louis Symphony Orchestra, Spoleto Festivals (Italy and the U.S.), Bournemouth Sinfonietta, London Mozart Player and Melbourne Symphony Orchestra in Australia, according to the release.

Lipari earned his bachelor’s degree in music education from the University of Illinois and his master’s degree in orchestral conducting from Northwestern University, according to the release.

As a Rotary International Ambassadorial Scholar, Lipari also earned a post-graduate diploma in music at the University of London, according to the release.

But Lipari especially enjoys working with student musicians.

“I love it,” Lipari said. “They’re unpredictable. It’s fun to watch them grow. It’s exciting to see the progress made by kids who are doing something extracurricular like this. They’re keen and their minds are like sponges. And they have excitement. It’s a good feeling.”

For information and for audition requirements, visit mysomusic.org.