CYSO adds two to advisory board

 The Cascade Youth Symphony Orchestras has added Bob Ferguson and Spencer Lehmann to its Advisory Board. Ferguson is Chair of the King County Council representing North King County and Lehmann is a retired long-term care insurance executive.

“Bob and Spencer both demonstrate a real commitment to kids and music, as well as to the concept that music is the common language of people around the world,” says CYSO Executive Director David Endicott in announcing the selections. “In a multi-cultural arts community like ours, few other things are more important.”

Ferguson and Lehmann join the CYSO Advisory Board chaired by Prof. Gerry Jon Marsh, Music Director & Principal Conductor of the Cascade Youth Symphony; Colleen Armstrong, former Chief of Staff of the Seattle Opera; music educator Scott Barnes; Steve Fissel, bass trombonist of the Seattle Symphony; Dave Hutchinson, Mayor of Lake Forest Park; Ken Noreen, retired music educator; Gerard Schwarz, Music Director of the Seattle Symphony; and attorney Ken Schubert of the prominent law firm of Garvey Schubert & Barer.

The CYSO Advisory Board is comprised of influential citizens from throughout the Pacific Northwest who care about service to youth and to the instrumental music arts. Advisory Board Members are viewed as gateways to various important organizations, individuals and communities in the region and serve to help the CYSO connect better with them.

“I am honored to serve on the CYSO Advisory Board among such a wonderful group of people,” Ferguson said. “I am looking forward to helping this dynamic organization continue its success.”

“My family and I have been deeply involved in Northwest arts organizations for years, including the Seattle Symphony, Pacific Northwest Ballet, the UW School of Music and others. I have been very impressed at the work done by the CYSO in bringing music to Seattle area youth. It is an honor and a privilege to be asked to serve with this noble-minded group,” Lehmann says.

The Cascade Youth Symphony Orchestras, presented by Kennelly Keys Music and Classic KING-FM Radio 98.1, are comprised of five, merit-based ensembles, beginning with the Preparatory Strings, the youngest group. From there, young musicians may graduate to progressively higher levels in the Cascade Sinfonette, Cascade Premiere, Cascade Junior and Cascade Youth Symphony. The Principal Conductor and Music Director is Gerry Jon Marsh, a professor of music at Seattle Pacific University.