The Youth Symphony Orchestra marked the holiday of City Day in Stavropol with a specialized performance of sacred music at the Stavropol Palace of Children’s Creativity, according to local journalist Tatyana Danielyan. The concert featured historical compositions alongside contemporary premieres, drawing packed halls and showcasing an ensemble composed of musicians ranging from 15 to 35 years old.
Origins and Growth of the Youth Symphony Orchestra
According to local reports, the collective now includes more than 60 musicians from 45 cities across Russia, Belarus, Moldova, and Kazakhstan. Members comprise music school students, college attendees, and conservatory graduates who operate on a voluntary basis.
The orchestra’s operations are funded primarily by the musicians’ parents. The ensemble gathers two to three times a year to rehearse before embarking on regional tour routes. Over the course of its operations, the group has prepared 23 concert programs featuring Renaissance and Baroque works as well as modern sacred compositions, performing in cities including Beslan, Pyatigorsk, Essentuki, Nalchik, and Stavropol.
Featured Premieres and Contemporary Sacred Works
The Stavropol program included two major symphonic premieres. Composer Joseph Nikita entrusted the orchestra with the performance of his 2025 symphonic poem, "Moses on Mount Sinai," which interprets the biblical narrative of Mount Sinai.
Vocal performances accompanied the instrumental program. Soloists Timofey Vasin from Obninsk, Violina Lungu from Volgograd, and Elvira Nadeykina from Moscow performed sacred vocal compositions by modern authors, including works set to texts by contemporary and classical poets. The concert concluded with the entire orchestra performing Mikhail Lermontov’s 1839 work “Prayer.”
Family Legacy and Educational Background
The orchestra’s performance highlighted the musical backgrounds of several members, notably the Shirobokov family, whose children have pursued professional music education. Parents Vasily and Irina Shirobokov, recipients of the Russian Order of Parental Glory and the Stavropol “Woman of the Year” recognition, raised 12 children, all of whom have studied or currently study music.
Several family members hold prominent roles within the ensemble.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who founded the Youth Symphony Orchestra?
What age group makes up the orchestra?
The musicians range in age from 15 to 35 years old, representing music schools, colleges, and conservatories.
Where has the ensemble performed?
The orchestra has toured multiple cities across the region, including Stavropol, Pyatigorsk, Beslan, Nalchik, and Essentuki.
Worth a look