Junior Anthony Orso has been playing the violin for seven years. He began playing in the third grade, and his progress with the instrument has not slowed down.

 “I really began to absorb myself with violin in fifth grade when I started taking private lessons. I would have begun that earlier, but my family is not very musical. So, they weren’t aware that an excelling musician needs to be put into lessons,” Orso said.

Orso continued playing throughout middle school, and in eighth grade he auditioned for Symphonic Orchestra  for his freshman year. Symphonic is the most difficult of the three school orchestras to get into.

 “There are usually only one or two freshmen who get into the orchestra per year,” Orso explained.

 When Orso entered high school, his violin abilities and opportunities grew rapidly.

 “Sophomore year I got into All-State Orchestra and began to prep for my audition for St. Louis Youth Symphony, which is the most selective student orchestra in the state. This year, I got in,” Orso said.

 The St. Louis Youth Symphony practices at Powell Hall, just like the main St. Louis Symphony. TheSt. Louis Youth Symphony has an upcoming performance on Nov. 14 at Powell Hall.

 “We are playing two pieces with the St. Louis Symphony,” Orso said.

 Though his opportunities outside of school with violin are exciting, Orso still enjoys his time playing for LHS.

 “My favorite experience with the Lafayette orchestra was definitely playing at Carnegie Hall freshmen year,” Orso said.

 He will continue to play throughout high school. In fact he wishes to keep the violin always in his life.

 “I want to be professional. I don’t want violin to be my job, but I’d want it as a side profession. It’s my goal to play with any big name symphony as an adult. Music is my number one passion,” Orso said.