Owasso Youth Face the Music

The Owasso Youth Orchestra provides students an opportunity to enjoy music together through an orchestra setting, while building a foundation for future musical involvement both personally and in the community.

Conductor Melody Garrett leads the children in the Owasso Youth Orchestra.

When Brandy Gordon’s ­daughter, Ella, began taking ­violin lessons from Melody Garrett, Brandy and Melody did not dream that the association would result in a youth orchestra – but young Ella did. “Ella and I discussed her desire to see a youth orchestra here in Owasso, and so we suggested it to Melody,” Brandy recounts. “Melody thought it was a great idea, but wasn’t sure we had the resources. But Ella was ­determined, so we went forward.”

That's when Brandy handed Melody a new Mozart piece and suggested they find a place to practice. Practices started in a parent's living room and have now blossomed to community performances, including three elementary schools, Bailey Medical Center, The Patriot Golf Club, and their winter recital in the month of December. In May 2011, the orchestra performed at Stone Canyon Elementary and at their spring recital. “Everywhere we go, we hear excitement about the orchestra – it seems to be ­contagious,” says Amy Tingleaf, marketing and fundraising ­coordinator and treasurer for Owasso Youth Orchestra. Amy remembers being so excited to find out about this place where her daughter, Piper, who is in the 4th grade, could use her passion and talent for the violin. “Piper didn’t know anyone else at the time that could play the violin,” Amy relates. “It was so good to see her playing with her peers.”

Melody Garrett, Orchestra Director, and Brandy Gordon, Co-Director and Accompanist, are thankful for the tremendous support by orchestra parents in the process of getting OYO off the ground.­ Melody reports that the group is made up of ­students ranging in age from 3rd grade through high school, from private, public and home schools. “At this point, the Owasso school system does not offer orchestra, so this was a great opportunity for kids who play stringed instruments,” she says. “It lets our kids grow ­musically by joining them with their peers who play similar orchestral instruments.”

Although the orchestra began with strings, it is not ­limited to those instruments. The orchestra has recently made room for woodwinds and percussion. The only real prerequisite is that the student be able to read music for their instrument, and it is preferable that they have had a private instructor. “We have gotten comfortable with being a stringed orchestra, but now we are ready to expand,” says Melody.

She adds that there has been a great outpouring of support from the community, which has enabled the orchestra to ­experience this growth. With the help of noted local law firm Winters, King, and Associates, the orchestra is becoming a 501(c)3 organization, classifying it as a non-profit and enabling it to accept donations for sheet music, stands, chairs, and other greatly needed items. “Many ­people have had orchestra touch their lives at some point and want to reach out and help us,” Melody says. “Orchestra impacts your life greatly through much more than music – it teaches ­discipline and leadership skills that help later in life.”

According to Melody, the best support comes from the looks on the audience members’ faces when they perform at local elementary schools. “We enjoy the surprise on the kids’ faces when they hear the ­performances,” she says. “The experience is so rewarding.”

For information on ­performance dates and times or auditions, visit the Owasso Youth Orchestra website at www.owassoyouthorchestra.com.

For more information, contact

Owasso Youth Orchestra

www.owassoyouthorchestra.com