CYSO- Symphony

Symphony

The Symphony Orchestra is a full symphony orchestra consisting of approximately 70 musicians. It is the most advanced of our orchestras and is made up of the most skilled student musicians. Exceptional players from the Symphony may be selected to perform in our Chamber Music Program. Ask Michelle Eudeikis or Jerome Fleg for more information on this opportunity.

Richard Niezen, Music Director and Symphony Orchestra Conductor
Mr. Niezen's relationship with the Colorado Youth Symphony Orchestras began during its 2005-2006 season. He began his musical studies on the double bass at age seventeen. While studying with Stuart Knussen in Victoria, British Columbia, his musical aptitude was quickly discovered and soon Niezen was recognized as one of Canadas finest young musicians. Within a few years, he was performing under renowned conductors and playing in orchestras in Montreal, Cleveland, and Buenos Aries. In 1995, Niezen studied conducting in Prague with Frantisek Vajnar, Head of Conducting at the Progue Academy of Musical Arts. Upon returning to the U.S., he was accepted at the prestigious Cleveland Institute of Music to study with Carl Topilow and Louis Lane. In 1998, earning his Master's Degree in Orchestral Conducting, Niezen served as a faculty member at the Institute's preparatory department, guest conducting various Cleveland-area orchestras, and he served on the faculty at Lakeland College. Since moving to Colorado in 2000, he has earned a reputation as a dynamic conductor,educator and orchestra builder throughout the state. In addition to conducting CYSOs Symphony, he is the Music Director of the Aurora Symphony Orchestra and the conductor of the Rocky Mountain Brass Works. .