03/01/12 For the first time ever, the Plymouth Community Youth Orchestra was represented at the ISSMA strings music contest and they earned Gold medals at State! The chamber quartet comprised of 8th graders Sarah Tanner and Karly Gruett on violin, 6th grader Leah Smith on viola and 8th grader cellist Keaton Espich worked with assistant PCYO director Candace Thomas on a Group I ensemble piece. First, they earned a Gold rating at the District level on Feb 11th which enabled them to participate at the State level competition on Feb 25th where they earned an even higher Gold rating!
Sarah and Karly also each received individual gold medals for their Group II violin solos, and Leah earned a gold medal for her viola solo. Other Plymouth Community Youth Orchestra members participated in the ISSMA contest including Conner Matthews, from St. Michaels who earned a Gold on his cello solo. Allie Tharp and Keaton Espich were part of a Lincoln Junior High quartet and earned a Silver and Andreya Soria played in a LJH violin trio and earned a Gold.
Photo 1) Quartet won gold at state: Sarah Tanner, Karly Gruett, Leah Smith, Keaton Espich
Photo 2)ISSMA contest participants: front row – Sarah Tanner, Karly Gruett, Leah Smith; back row – Allie Tharp, Keaton Espich, Conner Matthews, Andreya Soria
