Today’s blog is written by a special guest.

Don't ask me any questions.  At least not yet!  Don't ask who I am, what I do, who I'm promoting or what I have to show you.  I just want to wow you!  Follow these three steps – now!

1) Go to http://www.wmya.fm
2) Click on any podcast or video link
3) Close your eyes and listen

Ok, it's alright. You can open your eyes now. What did you think? Pretty impressive stuff, huh? No matter what you clicked on, I'm sure your ears were as surprised as your eyes. These dudes rock!

But in all seriousness, the power and strength of the music made by these young artists are equaled by a just as powerful beauty and expressive quality. And I'll be honest, that expressive musicianship brings tears to my eyes when I step up to the podium. It brings tears to the eyes of those in the audience as well.

Why do those tears flow? Probably because every time I step up to conduct, strong feelings emerge. Love, understanding, hard work and the feelings of a proud father – all rise to the surface. Now multiply those feelings times 200-2,600, depending on if it's a chamber music concert or the recent Verdi Requiem concert – that's one for each audience member who knows a kid in the orchestra, chorus, wind symphony, chamber ensemble or jazz band performing.

Our most recent upload to http://www.wmya.fm features both a video and audio of the massive Verdi Requiem. We had the amazing opportunity to perform the Verdi Requiem at the stunning Lyric Opera building in downtown Chicago. The sheer magnitude of this performance including 250 singers and 130 in the orchestra with 4 professional singers is visually stunning and the effect hauntingly professional. The entire work can be viewed from the site and it is well worth a listen.

This site has surpassed my own expectations in many ways. It has given us the opportunity to showcase exactly what we do – and more importantly, the high quality of what we do. Video proves – yes, these are students and yes, they will blow you out of the water.
With every chamber performance we post and every jazz chart you can listen to, not only do we hope to get someone excited about music – excited enough to stir the blood - but we hope to bring new enthusiastic youth into our world of orchestra, jazz, chamber music, wind symphony and choral music making and appreciation.

So, who are we? Please find out by coming to our podcast and learn more about us by hearing us play. Let the music guide you and inspire you. http://www.wmya.fm is a testament to all the young talented musicians out there with something to give and something beautiful to share.

Written by Allan Dennis, Music Director of Midwest Young Artists.