The members of the Uintah Basin Youth Chamber Orchestra enjoyed an exciting rehearsal on Thursday evening as they learned from someone with very close ties to the organization. The organization’s founder, Brad Vanfleet, made the journey to Vernal to serve as a guest conductor during the rehearsal. Vanfleet founded the youth orchestra in 2016 as an opportunity for local youth to take their musicianship to the next level and enrich the Uintah Basin with classical music. Participants have mostly ranged from ages 12 to 20 in the years since but there have been a few extra talented kids ages 9 to 11 as well. Current youth orchestra concertmaster Annika Rust was among those very young members at age 9 when she played under Vanfleet as conductor and it was special for Vanfleet to see her still growing in the organization as the only member left from his time leading it. “To see that the organization not only continues but also thrives means the world to me,” says Vanfleet. “Reconnecting with UBYCO was one of the most exciting and rewarding experiences I’ve had in a long time. The most rewarding part was the students themselves. Every single one of them enjoyed what they were doing, asked great questions, and showed real curiosity and passion for learning. It was such a powerful reminder of why I started this organization in the first place.” The community is invited to the UBYCO concert coming up on Friday, November 21st, at 7pm at the Vernal Christian Church.
