History
The Guy Fraser Harrison Academy, founded in 1977 as the Oklahoma Youth Orchestra, provides advanced orchestral education and performance opportunities for talented middle and high school musicians. The Academy seeks to strengthen already existing school instrumental music programs, and to supplement instrumental music programs that do not include orchestra. It provides the opportunity for youth musicians from many different schools to work together to challenge their performance skills under the direction of respected conductors and music educators.
Since its inception, the program has grown to now comprise nine ensembles and 400 students. The orchestras rehearse weekly at the Oklahoma City University Wanda Bass School of Music, Norman Whittier Middle School, Edmond Santa Fe High School, Lutheran Church of Our Savior in Bethany, and Stillwater Middle School. The Academy’s premier orchestra, the Oklahoma Youth Orchestra, composed of the finest high school musicians, has been conducted since 1992 by Dr. John Clinton. Talented middle and high school students comprise the Oklahoma Youth Philharmonia, a full orchestra ensemble conducted by Peter Markes. The Harrison Academy Symphonic Winds, composed of talented high school wind and percussion students, is directed by Dr. Matthew Mailman. Sarah Neely serves as the associate conductor. Dawn Thrailkill conducts the Harrison Chamber Orchestra, and Gena Alexander conducts the Sinfonia, are both string ensembles. Membership in these orchestras is by audition only; the four Festival Strings ensembles (Norman, conducted by Mark Osborn; North Area, conducted by Jessica Stephens; Edmond, conducted by Christy Fine; and Stillwater, conducted by Denise McClurg) are non-auditioned and are designed for middle school string players.
International concert tours have been a feature of the OYO experience from the beginning. The orchestra has performed before audiences in venues as diverse as China, Germany, the Czech Republic, Hungary, New Zealand, Australia, Scandinavia, Mexico, Italy, France, Wales, England, Austria, Switzerland, and Scotland.
The Oklahoma Youth Orchestras program support comes from a combination of sources, including participation fees, concert admission, grants, special projects, and donations.
Named in honor of the longtime music director and conductor of the Oklahoma Symphony Orchestra, Guy Fraser Harrison, the Harrison Academy is the umbrella organization that administers the Oklahoma Youth Orchestras program.
