Two of South Shore Youth Orchestra’s advanced ensemble members, Ben Moy and Josh DeVries, freshmen from Chesterton High School, agree in their outlook on music—it is a special enhancement to their lives and empowers them with an expressive harmonic language. Both young men have been members of SSYO since its beginnings four years ago and find the youth orchestra to be a challenging and rewarding compliment to their school orchestral participation and private instruction. 
Ben plays violin and loves the challenge of faster paced rhythm, while Josh plays the cello and has been fascinated by its sound since 4th grade. Josh also plays with SSO and was the youngest musician to travel to China with SSO last New Years. When asked of their favorite compositions, Josh cited Dvorak’s 8th Symphony and Ben descried a Mozart piece they played in CMS orchestra last spring.
SSYO will present their annual concert on Friday, November 5th at 7:00pm in the Ivy Tech Auditorium Theater.
South Shore Youth Orchestra was created four years ago as an outreach by South Shore Orchestra to provide a high quality, educational ensemble experience for young instrumental musicians throughout the south shore region. Members are introduced to a wide variety of music in an interactive, engaging rehearsal setting with opportunity to perform concerts at a variety of venues. Currently there are 50 members ranging in age from 8-18. They rehearse once a week at Trinity Lutheran Church in Valparaiso.SSYO leadership has also partnered with Valparaiso University Music Department to provide a practicum experience for Music Education students, engaging them with a variety of teaching styles, skills and student teaching moments
SSYO is comprised of three groups—beginning musicians in the Petite Orchestra who expand their instrumental experience with a variety of compositions. This group is under the direction of Holly Granzow, Valparaiso music educator and member of SSO. 
Jennifer Zeigner who is one of the founding members of South Shore Orchestra directs the Intermezzo Orchestra, and the more advanced Venti Orchesta. Concert pieces include Telemann's Concerto in D Major, Hold On, and Corelli's Sonata de Chiesa, Hungarian Dance No. 13 by Brahm's, Theme and Variations by Glazunov, and Fantasia Espanola.
Tickets are $7 for adults and $4 for students and seniors. Children six and under are free. Tickets will be sold at the door and doors open at 6:30. Ivy Tech Auditorium Theater is located at 3100 Ivy Tech Drive in Valparaiso.