EVENTS: Kennebec Valley Youth Symphony Orchestra concert is November 23

Daniel Keller, who is co-conductor of the Mid-Maine Youth Orchestra and on staff at the Southern Maine String Camp conducts the orchestra rehearsal. (photo courtesy of Stephanie Taylor)

The Kennebec Valley Youth Symphony Orchestras (KVYSO) Fall 2025 concert will take place at the South Parish Congregational Church, 9 Church St., in Augusta on Sunday, November 23, at 4 p.m. Admission by good-will donation at the door.

If you have not yet experienced the hidden gem that is this group of young musicians, you will be amazed at their sound and tremendous talent!

Based in the Augusta area, the group consists of two ensembles, the Kennebec Valley Youth Orchestra for intermediate students, and the Kennebec Valley Youth Symphony for advanced students. Established in 2018 as a nonprofit 501c3, KVYSO brings together middle- and high-school string, wind, brass, and percussion players for a full orchestral experience based in classical repertoire.

The preparatory ensemble, Kennebec Valley Youth Orchestra, which is conducted by Dan Keller, will open the concert with several pieces, including a favorite, Trepak from Tchaikovsky’s ballet The Nutcracker. Keller is a nationally award-winning music educator who has worked with the Bangor Symphony Youth Orchestra and Portland and is currently co-conductor of the Mid Maine Youth Orchestra.

String, wind, and percussion players in the full orchestra, Kennebec Valley Youth Symphony, hone their sound and perfect their technique through weekly multi-hour rehearsals. Led by Maestro Michael Lund Ziegler, these teen musicians will bring youthful excitement and lively spirit to their performance of Schubert’s Unfinished Symphony and Sibelius’s Karelia Overture and Suite. Lund Ziegler is currently Executive Director of the Portland Conservatory of Music as well as an active conductor and classical saxophonist.

Come and be inspired by the enchanting music and the incredible talent of Central Maine’s young musicians! Admission to this special event is by free-will donation of any size, with all proceeds used to defray concert expenses and support the Kennebec Valley Youth Symphony Orchestras. Want to donate in advance of the concert? Please visit www.kvyso.org/home/support-kvyso.

Do you know a young musician who would like to get involved? Auditions will soon be open for the Spring 2026 concert, and rolling auditions are available throughout the year. To learn more, please visit www.kvyso.org/ or contact Lori Scheck, Orchestra Manager, at info@kvyso.org.