Tumon Bay Youth Orchestra preparing for new season | Lifestyle

Although the Tumon Bay Youth Orchestra is back in session and rehearsing for the upcoming year, youth musicians interested in playing with the group can still join.

Several who joined the orchestra a few years ago have gained valuable life experiences as they developed their musical skills.

For AJ Morales, a junior at St. John’s School, the orchestra has helped him become a more confident performer.

“Being a relatively small orchestra, you really get the opportunity to have your own personality when performing. Instruments such as the cello, piano, bass guitar, trumpet, french horn and many others … who don’t have many within their sections … get to show off some individuality while remembering to also keep within the boundaries of the orchestra,” he said.

As the only cellist the past year, Morales had to hold his own and carry the cello section.

“TBYO requires a lot of hard work, but you get to visualize your hard work through the performances. Seeing hard work pay off by making people’s day through music makes me happy as well,” he said.

Although the orchestra plays challenging pieces, the TBYO community has always been supportive and collaborative, he said. “It seemed intimidating at first, but they are some of the nicest people you ever get to know.”

Kangsan Yoon, a junior at Harvest Christian Academy, enjoys the wide range of music that he has been exposed to as the orchestra’s hornist.

“From classical, to film scores, to jazz ensembles, we have ended up playing all kinds of music. I think TBYO has led me to challenge myself with harder music and higher expectations for musical proficiency that I might not have gotten had I not joined,” he said.

How to join

If you are interested in playing with the TBYO, auditions are still open. The first step is to contact the conductor Max Ronquillo at tbyo@guamphilharmonic.org.

“The audition process is not meant to be a barrier to those who want to play orchestra music, especially if they come from a school that doesn’t have an orchestra. It’s meant for me to know the current playing level of the prospective member and help me plan the kind of music repertoire the orchestra will be performing for the year,” Ronquillo said.

“I like to select music that is challenging, entertaining and educating. Prospective members need not fear the audition, and can surely ask me directly for any assistance.”

Rebuilding

Ronquillo, who had been away since 2019 and returned this summer, said he wants to focus on rebuilding the group.

“Since many have moved on with life after high school, I hope to prepare the next generation of musicians,” he said.

The orchestra’s first concert is intended to be on Nov. 21, but the details are still in the works.

“It will be a music gala where we pay tribute and recognize all the music educators in Guam. You can visit guamphilharmonic.org often to get the latest details on this exciting concert,” said Ronquillo.

Members of the orchestra look forward to performing for the community again and potentially sharing their passion for music off island.

“The TBYO community is full of talented musicians who devote a lot of time and effort into their performances. I’m excited to travel, meet new people and represent Guam as we perform in new places,” said Claire Yi, a junior at Harvest.