Representing Guam in the 2019 Australian International Music Festival in Sydney, Australia, the Tumon Bay Youth Orchestra (TBYO) performed with and competed against more than 1400 participants from July 4th to 11th at different concert venues including the iconic Sydney Opera House, Chatswood Concourse, and Maritime Museum at Darling Harbour in Sydney. Formed only in October 2018 and led by Conductor Max Ronquillo and Concertmaster Justine Xu, TBYO captured a gold medal with breathtaking performances including classical pieces such as Mozart’s Eine Kleine Nachtmusik, Haydn’s Surprise Symphony, and contemporary pieces such as Star Trek: Through the Years and the Greatest Showman medley. Musicians from St. John’s are a big part of TBYO. Members of TBYO from St. John’s School are:
Justine Xu – 9th Grade (Concertmaster and first violin)
Elizabeth Chen – 9th Grade (first violin and piano)
Mark Wang – 9th Grade (first violin)
Rhea Lim – 7th Grade (second violin)
Jamie Xu – 6th Grade (second violin)
Derrick Yen – 11th Grade (viola)
Felix Gong – 10th Grade (bassoon)
Olivia Kang – 10th Grade (oboe)
Felix Gong is also a member of the Guam Territorial Band, which won a gold medal at the Festival as well.
On August 30, TBYO will attend a Legislative Resolution Presentation at the Guam Congress Building for its outstanding achievement in Sydney.
This will conclude TBYO’s remarkable debut season which also includes Christmas concert at the St. Anthony Church, performance at Tumon Bay Music Festival, and joint performance with Guam Symphony Children’s Choir at the Guam Young People’s Concert.
TBYO encourages more musicians from St. John’s to audition for its second season and for more St. John’s faculty and students to attend its future performances. See you at the concerts!
St. John's School, Guam 