The Fargo Moorhead Area Youth Symphonies (FMAYS) are reinforcing music education for students in North Dakota and Minnesota. Established in 1967, this organization provides young musicians the opportunity to cultivate their skills beyond the classroom. Under the leadership of Executive Director Laura Kellogg, who took on the role in 2021, FMAYS has expanded its programs to accommodate a growing number of students.
Tailored Programs for Young Musicians
FMAYS offers three distinct orchestras tailored to specific age groups: the Concert Strings for grades 6-8, the Attacca Strings for grades 9-12, and the Symphony Orchestra, also for grades 9-12. This structured approach enhances local school music education and provides advanced students with opportunities to reach new musical heights through mentored training and rehearsals. Orchestras rehearse weekly during the school year, culminating in six concerts, including a notable performance alongside the Fargo Moorhead Symphony Orchestra.
Director of the FMAYS Symphony Orchestra, Brad Lambrecht, emphasizes the organization’s role in bridging the gap between high school and college music programs. “We challenge the kids to do great things and play some of the greatest classical masterpieces alongside new composers,” he stated. Many FMAYS participants go on to pursue music at the collegiate level, with some even playing in the Fargo Moorhead Symphony Orchestra.
Fostering Lifelong Engagement with Music
For Lindsay Schwartz Miller, director of Attacca Strings, the mission is about cultivating a lifelong passion for music. She notes the cognitive benefits associated with musical education, such as enhancing memory and creating new neural pathways. “Music education provides students with an outlet for creative expression,” she explained. “They aren’t just learning notes; they are making music together.”
FMAYS is dedicated to accessibility. In 2022, alumna and clarinetist Joanna Lin established the Resonate Scholarship Fund, aimed at supporting students from rural areas in North Dakota and Minnesota. “These scholarships help student musicians from rural towns continue their musical education,” Kellogg said, highlighting how financial assistance enables participation for families commuting over an hour for rehearsals.
The organization’s success is bolstered by strong partnerships with local schools. Students are encouraged to enroll in their school band or orchestra, which fosters a collaborative environment. Schwartz Miller attributes much of FMAYS’ growth to the advocacy of secondary music teachers, who actively promote the program and assist students in preparing for auditions.
During auditions, students receive immediate feedback from local professionals, including members of the Fargo Moorhead Symphony Orchestra and university faculty. “It’s a great opportunity for students to start auditioning in a safe space,” Lambrecht noted, reinforcing the supportive atmosphere FMAYS strives to create.
Each year, FMAYS showcases its talent through six concerts, highlighted by a side-by-side performance with the Fargo Moorhead Symphony Orchestra. This unique experience allows students to play alongside seasoned musicians, providing them with insight into professional standards. “They get to sit next to the FMSO musicians, hear what they sound like up close, and rehearse under the baton of Chris Zimmerman,” Kellogg added.
This year, students will perform a diverse repertoire, including selections from “Jurassic Park” and works by contemporary composers. Lambrecht expressed enthusiasm for introducing students to both classical and modern orchestral pieces. “We’re honoring the traditions while still bringing up the new generations of symphonic music,” he said, indicating FMAYS’ commitment to keeping the art form vibrant and relevant.
Through its dedicated programs and supportive community, the Fargo Moorhead Area Youth Symphonies continue to empower young musicians, ensuring that the joy of music education resonates throughout the region.
This article is part of a content partnership with The Arts Partnership, a nonprofit organization focused on cultivating the arts in Fargo, Moorhead, and West Fargo. For more information, visit theartspartnership.net.
