Washington Metropolitan Youth Orchestra
for grades 9 through 12
Welcome from WMYO Music Director Alberto Rodriguez . . .I am excited and immensely humbled to have been chosen as Music Director of the WMYO, and am grateful to the WMPA Board as well as my predecessor Maestro David Weigert for his support of myself over the past three years as Assistant Conductor.
As a music educator and conductor, I am excited about the opportunities that a group like the WMYO presents. This organization has a fantastic legacy of community collaborations and partnerships, student-centered repertoire choices, and the featuring of senior soloists. I believe we also have a bright and exciting future as an ensemble that provides excellent growth and performance opportunities to some of the most gifted young musicians in the greater Alexandria area both musically and personally as we perform brilliant music as diverse as the communities we live in. As the Music Director of the WMYO, I aim to use my values and those of the WMPA to chart our ensemble's direction. I plan on encouraging diversity in our ensemble personnel and repertoire choices. I seek to place opportunity above all else and make WMYO a premier ensemble for students who need extra-curricular performance challenges, regardless of background, and help these students grow by focusing on musical excellence and quality human relationships. The WMYO will strive to demonstrate our commitment to student excellence in all aspects of our existence, because ultimately, uplifting our students to share beautiful, transformational music is our purpose of existence. I look forward to getting started with a wonderful program of music this Fall. Sincerely, Al Rodriguez [email protected] Music Director Alberto Rodriguez
Alberto (Al) Rodriguez is an engaging educator, conductor, clinician, and performer who takes on the role of Music Director of the Washington Metropolitan Youth Orchestra after serving for three seasons as Assistant Conductor. A two time “Orchestra Director of the Year” winner from the Fairfax Orchestra Directors Association and currently a Quarterfinalist for the 2024 Music Educator Award presented by the GRAMMY Foundation, Al has served as Director of Orchestras at Mount Vernon High School in Alexandria, VA since 2017. Under his stable and consistent leadership, the program has grown in both numbers and quality in addition to providing his students with unique world premiere and guest clinician opportunities. His ensembles have received multiple “Superior” ratings at the Virginia Band and Orchestra Directors Association state assessment events.
In addition to his work in the classroom and on the podium, Al is a versatile musician who maintains an active schedule as an electric and upright bassist in the Northern Virginia Area specializing in rock, blues, and funk and has been a part of multiple regional touring bands over the past decade. Given his background in alternative styles, he believes strongly in the power of diverse and engaging musical repertoire, regardless of the setting. This passion led to Al winning one of eight “Wolftrap Grants for High School Performing Arts Teachers” in 2023 to kickstart an original music collaboration between orchestra and digital student production students at MVHS. Al received a Bachelor of Science in Music Education from Case Western Reserve University and the Cleveland Institute of Music in 2015 and a M.M. in Music Education from Ithaca College in 2021. |
WMYO featured in Alexandria Times!
World Premiere (excerpt) of Serenity, Op. 1 by WMYO violist Thien Phan (b. 2006). Featuring Hannah Leong, violin, Thien Phan, viola, and Isaiah Reed, viola
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