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Hard Work Pays Off For Overton Youth

Overton Youth Advances To Top Seat
By Misti McDonald
Moapa Valley Progress
Published Oct. 7, 2009

Hard work, dedication and a passion for music: these are just a few of the things required by one who desires to be a member of the Las Vegas Youth Orchestra.

Grant Pray, a senior at Moapa Valley High School, is in his fifth year with the orchestra and has recently achieved the prestigious position of “first chair” playing the cello in the most advanced of the four orchestra’s called the Las Vegas Youth Philharmonic.

Age and playing ability determine in which of the four ensembles a person will be placed. The two upper-level groups – the Las Vegas Youth Philharmonic and Las Vegas Youth Symphony- perform symphonic repertoire and prepare for entry into collegiate and professional level organizations.

MVHS Senior, Grant Pray, was recently selected as principal cellist of the Las Vegas Youth Philharmonic.
The two younger groups – the Las Vegas Youth Sinfonia and the Las Vegas Youth Ensemble – provide training for students to develop into effective orchestral players, emphasizing the responsibility, commitment, and teamwork necessary for successful performances.

Grant has performed with each of these groups and has worked hard to achieve the status which he now holds. He is one of the few kids in the orchestra who is not from Las Vegas Academy High School, a private school dedicated to the performing arts which is considered one of the most prestigious arts schools in the region boasting the area’s top performing arts facilities and faculty.

“These kids are the elite of the elite.” said Grant. “I felt I was lucky to not be in last chair, I was second to last!”

Try-outs occur once each year, and this is how you achieve your “chair” position. But when the first chair cello player decided she didn’t want to participate in the orchestra any more, first chair became available. Instead of each chair moving up one seat the orchestra director, Mr. Chuck Jackson, asked Grant to take first chair.

“He stood me up in front of the group and introduced me to them by name and announced that I would be the new first chair cello player.”

“This was tough at first.” said Grant “I could overhear people saying things like, “Who’s this guy? But over time people I don’t even know would come up to me and say, ‘Hey, I really like watching you perform, you really get into it!'”

Music is the way Grant expresses his emotions. It hasn’t always been like that though, it has taken years of hard work, and sacrifice. But he believes art is the way that all people express themselves. If not music then whatever outlet they find. “You have to be the best at doing whatever your art is.” Grant casually adds.

And this seems to be what Grant Pray is practicing in his life.

Those wishing to attend any of the LVYO performances you can visit www.lvyo.org. The group’s next performance is on Thursday, October 15, 2009 at 6:00 PM at Sammy Davis Jr. Festival Plaza, Lorenzi Park: (Corner of Bonanza and Twin Lakes Drive) (Physical Address) 3333 W. Washington Ave., Las Vegas, NV 89107. The concert is entitled: “Daniel Pearl World Music Days” – A Tribute to Daniel Pearl. Admission for tickets purchased at event is Adults – $9 Students, Senior Citizens, Disabled – $5.

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