Midori and the VYO rehearse onstage at the Elley-Long Music Center. Photo by Kelly Gehrs

Past Residencies

Alaska / Duluth / Des Moines / Albuquerque / South Dakota / Vermont / Montana / Winston-Salem

Burlington, Vermont: January 2006

Immediately following her week in New Mexico, Midori returned to the East Coast for the next orchestra residency with the Vermont Youth Orchestra (VYO) and Vermont Symphony Orchestra (VSO) in Burlington. From the sun and warmth of Albuquerque, Vermont's snowy scenery provided a completely different backdrop for the second residency in as many weeks. Over the course of her four days in Vermont, Midori visited Vermont Public Radio for a live conversation with host Walter Parker and taped interviews for Vermont Public Television's Profiles show and local news station WCAX.

One afternoon was spent in Montpelier, the state capital, where Governor James Douglas proclaimed 25-29 January 2006 to be "Midori Week" in Vermont. Midori accompanied VSO Executive Director Alan Jordan to the meeting of the House Appropriations Committee, where she spoke in support of the VSO's programs and accomplishments. A lunchtime "think-tank" with VSO and VYO administration provided a great deal of insight into how these two organizations work together, as the group shared feedback about the residency and discussed ways in which they might further engage guest artists.

Governor James Douglas proclaims 25-29 January 2006 "Midori Week" in Vermont. Photo by Kelly Gehrs

Before her performance of Tchaikovsky's Violin Concerto with the VSO, Midori joined Music Director Jaime Laredo for Musically Speaking, a discussion session with audience members about the program. With the VYO and conductor Troy Peters, Midori played Bruch's Violin Concerto in G minor in a special matinee concert the next day.

The Vermont Youth Orchestra Association handles five orchestras, various chamber groups, and three summer camps. Over the past decade, the number of students in VYOA programs has more than doubled, and the VYO planned its first international tour to China in Summer 2007. For more information about the VYOA, visit www.vyo.org.