Three suburban teens are sharing their love of music as members of the Chicago Youth Symphony Orchestras.
Merrill Lee of Oak Brook, a 17-year-old junior at Walter Payton College Preparatory High School in Chicago, has been playing the violin for eight years, taking private lessons with instructor Jin Chang.
Lee is in her fifth year with the Chicago Youth Symphony Orchestras.
“To me, CYSO was a pretty natural continuation in my journey because, since I was younger, I loved listening to orchestral music,” Lee said. “It seemed amazing to me how a group of musicians could come together to create such beautiful music. I joined the orchestra because I wanted to interact with other musicians and create the music that I listened to growing up.”
Initially, Lee was in the group’s Debut Orchestra. After that, she played with the Concert Orchestra for a year before advancing to the Symphony Orchestra. This is Lee’s fourth year with that orchestra.
She said being part of the Chicago Youth Symphony Orchestras offers a variety of benefits.
“I love the community. We bond over similar interests,” Lee explained. “Also, I have the opportunity to practice life skills, like time management and leadership. I’ve learned how to guide a section by watching other people guide a section.”
Being part of the orchestra has additionally offered Lee some unforgettable experiences, she reported. That included performing in Austria, Germany, and the Czech Republic in 2022.
“I’m excited for our Spain tour this summer,” Lee said.
The violinist indicated that she’s not certain if she will pursue a career in music but she’s sure of one thing. “I definitely know that music’s going to be a part of my life,” Lee declared.
Jennie Oh Brown, executive director of Chicago Youth Symphony Orchestras, said Lee “comes from a family that really values music and she has very ambitious musical goals. Like many students, she’s using this opportunity to develop her leadership skills as well.”
Brothers Andrius Marchertas and Timas Marchertas, of Clarendon Hills, are also glad they joined the Chicago Youth Symphony Orchestras.
Andrius, 18, a Hinsdale Central High School senior, has been playing the cello for eleven years and studies with Sally Gross at Western Springs School of Talent Education. He joined the Chicago Youth Symphony Orchestras when he was in seventh grade, starting with the Debut Orchestra. This is his first year in the Symphony Orchestra.
“My uncle is a huge inspiration of mine,” Andrius said. “He was another phenomenal cellist. He was telling me about CYSO, which he participated in in the ‘90s and how it’s such an amazing orchestra — so prestigious. He even claimed it’s the best youth orchestra in the nation.”
Andrius is glad he listened to his uncle’s advice.
“Being around musically passionate peers helps me excel and strive to be a better cellist,” he said. “It’s an incredible experience to be around all these talented musicians. All the compositions and pieces that we play in the orchestra are very challenging. That helps better me as a musician. The conductors are also phenomenal. With their guidance and teaching everyone can learn so much.”
Andrius observed that through participating in the orchestra he has learned to be more disciplined and pay attention to details.
Although Andrius isn’t planning to major in music in college, he is considering minoring in it. Even if that doesn’t happen, Andrius said, “I will be playing in a non-major orchestra.”
“Andrius lives in a very nurturing and supportive musical learning environment at home,” Brown said. “Music is his passion and he loves to listen to all different genres of music.”
Timas Marchertas, 16, is a junior at Hinsdale Central High School. He studied the piano from the ages of 7-12 but his mother convinced him to take up the trumpet when he was 10. That’s the instrument which he has been playing in the Chicago Youth Symphony Orchestras’ Concert Orchestra since 2023.
“My mom thought the piano was a very lonely instrument compared to other orchestral instruments,” Timas explained.
He appreciates the fact that CYSO’s rehearsals are on weekends so he can participate in varsity football and baseball.
Being part of the Chicago Youth Symphony Orchestras “helps me take my trumpet-playing to other places to play for more people, and gives me discipline and practice to help me improve my musicianship,” Timas said.
The trumpet player isn’t sure if he wants to study music in college but declared, “I find music pretty interesting. I enjoy the music that I play and I enjoy the music that I listen to.”
“He hopes to advance his trumpet playing and be challenged by new orchestral pieces,” said Brown, the executive director.
Approximately 850 students participate in the programs of the Chicago Youth Symphony Orchestras, according to Brown. They range in age from 8 to 18.
“The organization is 14 large ensembles,” Brown said. “There’s also chamber ensembles, which are smaller ensembles, there’s composition, and there are lyric outreach opportunities where kids learn public speaking and things like that.”
She praised the value of being in a large ensemble. “It creates a great sense of community. It creates a great sense of teamwork,” Brown said. There’s also the benefit “of spending time with people that you care about who share your passion. And in terms of the music-making, it’s such a rewarding activity for students.”
Myrna Petlicki is a freelance reporter for Pioneer Press.
