Every week our rehearsals of this music remind me of why I have chosen this life path – it fills me with a genuine sense of gratitude to be surrounded by such caring and passionate colleagues.

The symphony is actually my favorite of Mahler’s –the beauty in the simplicity, the striking contrast between angry outbursts and love-filled melodies. This has been a difficult semester for me emotionally but playing Mahler 1 every week has contributed to my healing and help me put myself back together. I’m truly grateful to the BPO for this opportunity.

Karlie

Dear Mr. Zander,

There are no words to describe how I feel about playing in Symphony Hall. If someone had told me a year ago I would be playing there tomorrow, I never would have believed it. I haven’t even played in Costa Rica’s national theater! It’s been one of my greatest accomplishments so far and I’m really grateful for it. Thank you for everything you’ve done for us!

Best,

Carmela

Dear Mr. Zander,

Being in Project Step, Symphony Hall has been my home for the last 12 years. Although I have performed in all of the performance rooms and been through every single hallway, I have never actually played on stage. I’m so excited for this performance, and I am sure that I will never forget it!

Solomon

Dear Mr. Zander,

It has been such a joy to rehearse this program with BPYO and it’s something I look forward to every week. it has been such a privilege to play with other incredible young musicians and the sound we create is just magical to experience. I especially love playing with Stefan: his playing is so so inspiring and full of emotion and joy. Not being in conservatory, it has been such an incredible and valuable experience to play in BPYO.

Joanna

Thanks to BPYO, the Mahler one is officially my favorite for orchestral piece far, especially the first movement. Thank you!

Sincerely,

Carter

Dear Mr. Zander,

We took a lot of time to work on the beginning of the Mahler, but it was definitely worth it. The sound of the cords is so delicate yet intricate, so much so that I feel I might break the sound if I move. It’s going to be a great concert.

Love,

Brendan 

Mr. Zander,

Thank you for addressing my note from yesterday. I really appreciate it and think it helped a great deal. I am so thankful for this opportunity and I can’t believe how good we are sounding. Thank you!

Best,

Emma

Dear Mr. Zander,

I’m very excited for the concert tomorrow I’m glad I’ve invited so many of my friends from BU to come because I’m so proud of this final product. Well I’ve been worried about staying in tune with the first piccolo in the fourth movement, the orchestra has become something truly spectacular.

Grace

Dear Mr. Zander,

I am blown away by the talent and professionalism of this orchestra. I count it as an extreme privilege to be a part of this group. Thank you for generously supporting the orchestra with your time and finances. It has been my dream to play Mahler, and though Symphony 2 is my favorite, Symphony 1 has really touched my heart as well.

With gratitude,

Shaylen

Dear Mr. Zander,

Playing Mahler 1 in Symphony Hall is going to be both a joy and a sorrow at the same time for me. It is a joy because it is always going to be a joy to play any of Mahler’s music, but departing with the piece will be very sad because the joy that I got from playing it every Saturday will not be there anymore. Also this will most likely be the last time I will play this in a long while. Mahler one has meant so much to me in terms of my musical development and maturity, along with the memories I have made. Playing this piece a second time and are you has been very eye-opening and I think you for giving me the opportunity to play this second time with your interpretation at Symphony Hall.

Thanks,

Ethen

Dear Mr. Zander,

I thoroughly enjoyed today’s rehearsal. I’m not sure what it was, but it left my heart pounding still up until now while I’m writing this white sheet. I’m so excited to play in Symphony Hall tomorrow in my first concert with BPYO! It means so much to me to be a part of such an amazing orchestra. It’s an honor!

Love,

Jesalina

P.S. your jokes made me laugh so hard today 🙂

Dear Mr. Zander,

I recently listened to the BPYO recording of Mahler one that you linked in your email. Right from the first note I could tell how truly remarkable this piece is. From the various recordings of Bernstein, the NY Phil, etc… I could hear the beauty of the piece. Yet the BPYO recording as well as our playing has something more that, to be completely honest, I cannot describe. Your conducting has led us to meet a musical understanding in this piece that far surpasses typical beauty or perfection. I believe our playing is truly what such a musically difficult piece deserves. 

Thank you.

Benjamin

Dear Mr. Zander,

I am so excited and unbelievably grateful to be playing this magnificent program at Symphony Hall with you and the orchestra tomorrow. The Mahler is such a journey – it starts from the beginning of the world almost (the forest coming to life!). There is so much joy and wonder in the first Movement, and the second movement is so energetic and it’s almost bursting with youth. The third movement is so sad yet among the immense sadness, we can find a moment of refuge at number 10. I have never personally experienced such a deep sadness, but the relief and peace of that short section always brings tears to my eyes. And the fourth movement is simply glorious – I think ultimately it is a triumph of human goodness and life and happiness. Through the symphony, I have been able to experience emotions of the depth of that I have never been able to in my everyday life.

Being given the extraordinary opportunity to play in BPYO is something I am so grateful for. In the short three months I have been with the orchestra, I have been so inspired every rehearsal. I try to apply your lessons to my life every week and I have truly seen a positive change in the way I view the world. Thank you again!

Sincerely,

Isabelle