Pay it Forward: Central Oregon Youth Orchestra

The Central Oregon Youth Orchestra program is this month’s Pay it Forward recipient. Executive Director and Founder Amy Goeser Kolb, was presented with the $500 award Thursday by sponsors Co Energy Propane and Mid Oregon Credit Union on Thursday to help fund the group’s upcoming trip to New York City.

Nearly 70 students get together every Sunday to make music. They are part of the Central Oregon Youth Orchestra, and they’re getting ready to take a trip to NYC, where they’ll be representing the High Desert at Carnegie Hall.

“This is our second full season of youth orchestra together,” said Goeser Kolb. “Now we’re off to Carnegie Hall.”

For many of the students, this will be the biggest trip they’ve ever been on.

“I haven’t been further east than Utah,” said Alyssa Clark, a freshman at Bend High School and cello player with the orchestra.

The Central Oregon Youth Orchestra gives students the opportunity to take their skills to the next level.

“It’s a really great experience overall,” Clark said. “It’s really therapeutic in a way, and it’s a great way to express yourself.”

The students practice for three hours on the weekend at Sky View Middle School in Bend.

“On Sundays, when you come here you’re having a full symphonic experience,” Goeser Kolb said. “You have the band and the orchestra kids together as one. You don’t get that in a public or private school.”

This weekend, the Central Oregon Youth Orchestra will be hosting its Spring Concert at Bend Senior High School. The guest artist resident will be Christopher Tin.

For more information, visit: http://www.centraloregonyouthorchestra.org/

And to nominate a worthy individual or group for Pay it Forward, the nomination form is at: http://www.ktvz.com/pay-it-forward/17985892