This summer, one Fountain Valley School (FVS) sophomore – Mauricio Valenzuela of Pueblo – completed a weeks-long international tour alongside the Colorado Springs Youth Symphony, the flagship ensemble of The Colorado Springs Youth Symphony Association (CSYSA). The orchestra, consisting of approximately 75 performers, including Valenzuela – one of four percussionists – shared their talents with audiences at seven venues across Australia and New Zealand.
Together, they played in Auckland, Cairns, Gold Coast, Brisbane, and Sydney. “Performing in the Sydney Opera House with incredible musicians from all over the world was a once-in-a-lifetime experience,” said Valenzuela, who relished the opportunity to perform alongside world-renowned orchestras, including the Queensland Youth Symphony.
The CSYSA, which began with 70 young musicians when it was founded in 1980, has since grown to encompass over 500 students representing various schools across the Pikes Peak region. The association comprises 10 different ensembles, ranging from beginner to advanced.
During his freshman year at FVS in Colorado Springs – home to approximately 240 boarding, day, and international students – Valenzuela participated in the Instrumental Ensemble and the Jazz and Rock Ensemble, further honing his musicianship under the direction of Instrumental Music Faculty Matthew Langford. Langford recognized Valenzuela as having a fluid and natural way of expressing his musical ideas freely and playfully. “His natural childlike curiosity and love for exploring is mixed with a deep well of creativity,” he added.
While this June marked Valenzuela’s fourth year since joining the Colorado Springs Youth Symphony, it was his first-ever international performance with the ensemble. His prior performances span across Colorado State, from Denver to Grand Junction to Glenwood Springs to Idaho Springs. “Playing music while traveling to many new and inspiring cities made me even more grateful for this opportunity,” said Valenzuela.
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Founded in 1930, Fountain Valley School of Colorado is a boarding and day school for grades 9-12. Situated on 1,100 acres of rolling prairie in Colorado Springs, the School provides a rigorous, global curriculum in academics, arts, athletics, and the outdoors to develop young adults who are courageous, open-minded, self-reliant, curious, and compassionate. Enrollment is approximately 240 students from 23 countries, 21 states and the Pikes Peak Region. www.fvs.edu