Montreal’s Mount Royal Youth Orchestra heading to New York

The instruments vary in size and composition — and the musicians vary in age.

From five to 25 years old, the Mount Royal Youth Orchestra gives participants the opportunity to get in tune with their musical passion through concerts in the community.

Now, their symphony orchestra is headed from Montreal to New York.

“I never thought I would ever play in the Carnegie Hall,” said Lisa Chen, concertmaster for their symphony orchestra. “Getting to play with the most wonderful people, it’s really amazing.”

Early every Saturday morning, Chen and other musicians come together to rehearse.

“Playing in an orchestra,” she said. “Really just transcends the mere fact of playing notes.”

Now they’re rehearsing for the Viennese Masters Orchestra Invitational –- an opportunity to perform on the world’s premier concert stage.

This is a first for a Quebec orchestra to be invited to the festival –- and the second Canadian one.

“I am going to New York to play at Carnegie Hall,” said Louis Lagueux, principal trombone. “Which is, I call it, a once in a lifetime experience.”

Founded in 1996, the Mount Royal Youth Orchestra began with about 25 musicians.

Today, it’s composed of over 250 –- with five ensembles.

“Teach the young musicians how to play together,” explained Jean MacRae, artistic director and conductor. “It’s quite an art.”

“You don’t just get together, sit down and play,” she added. “You really have to understand about listening, about watching the conductor, about feeling the music together.”

To help get these musicians to New York –- they’re holding a benefit concert on June 8th at Montreal’s Oscar Peterson concert hall –- with guest soloist Stéphane Tétreault.

The orchestra, one of four participating in the festival in New York on June 21st –- with 27 minutes to perform their stellar music.

“It helps me express myself,” said Racim Djenane, violist. “In ways that I couldn’t find anywhere else.”

“I just love playing.”

“I think that music really is a must in life,” said Chen. “It’s a representation of the soul.”

“I think the most beautiful things come out of music,” she added. “The most beautiful thing in my life is music.”

“I’m so grateful that we get to do it with the most wonderful people.”