As students return to school this year, many are not only preparing for academic lessons but also tuning their instruments for the upcoming music season. The Fargo Moorhead Area Youth Symphonies (FMAYS) aims to ensure that dedicated young musicians continue their musical journey for years to come. Established in 1967, FMAYS has been instrumental in enhancing music education in the region, providing students with opportunities to develop their skills beyond the classroom.
Laura Kellogg, Executive Director of FMAYS, emphasized the organization’s commitment to youth music education since she took on the role in 2021. “FMAYS is dedicated to youth music education,” she stated, highlighting the organization’s long-standing presence in the community. Initially starting with a single orchestra, FMAYS has expanded to include tailored groups for specific age ranges: Concert Strings for grades 6-8, Attacca Strings for grades 9-12, and the Symphony Orchestra for grades 9-12.
Through these orchestras, FMAYS enhances local school music programs while challenging advanced students to reach impressive musical heights. Weekly rehearsals run throughout the school year, culminating in six concerts, including a collaborative performance with the Fargo Moorhead Symphony Orchestra.
Brad Lambrecht, director of the FMAYS Symphony Orchestra, highlighted the value of the program in bridging the gap between high school and college music studies. He noted, “I fill out a lot of letters of recommendation and see FMAYS students go to college and become music majors or minors.” This pathway is further illustrated by several FMAYS graduates now performing with the Fargo Moorhead Symphony Orchestra, showcasing the importance of comprehensive music training.
For Lindsay Schwartz Miller, Director of Attacca Strings, the mission transcends musical instruction. “There has been lots of research on how it affects the brain,” she explained. “However, the music education FMAYS provides students with an outlet for creative and artistic expression at a very high level.” She believes that music education significantly enhances students’ overall development, making them not only better musicians but also better students. “Music making is something we do for ourselves and for others to enjoy. It is a joyful experience that I think is desperately needed for today’s students,” she added.
Accessibility is a core principle for FMAYS. Kellogg and Lambrecht highlighted the role of donors and supporters in helping young musicians thrive. In 2022, FMAYS alumna and clarinetist Joanna Lin established the Resonate Scholarship Fund, designed to support students from rural communities in North Dakota and Minnesota. “These scholarships help student musicians from rural towns and support them in their continued musical education,” Kellogg noted. For families traveling over an hour for rehearsals, these scholarships often make participation feasible.
FMAYS’ partnerships with local schools are key to its success. Students are generally required to be enrolled in their school band or orchestra unless one is unavailable. Miller emphasized the collaborative relationship with secondary music teachers, who advocate for FMAYS and assist students in preparing for auditions.
During auditions, students perform scales, excerpts, and a solo piece, receiving immediate feedback from local professionals, including members of the Fargo Moorhead Symphony Orchestra and university faculty. “We let them know about things that need to be worked on,” Lambrecht stated, describing the process as a safe space for students to hone their skills.
The orchestras perform six concerts annually, with a highly anticipated side-by-side performance with the Fargo Moorhead Symphony Orchestra. “They get to sit next to the FMSO musicians, hear what they sound like up close, get mentored by them, and rehearse under the baton of Chris Zimmerman,” Kellogg explained. This experience provides students with insights into professional-level music.
This year, the orchestras will present a mix of classic and contemporary pieces, including selections from “Jurassic Park” and works by living composers. Lambrecht expressed excitement about introducing students to both traditional and modern orchestral music, saying, “We’re honoring the traditions while still bringing up the new generations of symphonic music.”
The commitment of FMAYS to fostering musical talent in the region not only enriches the lives of young musicians but also contributes to a vibrant cultural landscape. For more information about FMAYS and its programs, visit theartspartnership.net.