2019-2020
CONCERT SEASON 
​
MCKINNEY PHILHARMONIC ORCHESTRA
​
Founded in Denton in May 2012, Odysseus Chamber Orchestra consists of professional classical musicians from the DFW area. launching a successful inaugural performance featuring local soloists, performed with Christopher Deane, Professor of Percussion at the University of North Texas and gave the world premiere of Breathe by Brad Robin, a work commissioned by Artistic Director, Jason Lim. Under the direction of Jason Lim, OCO has embarked with innovative collaborations with the Denton City Contemporary Ballet staging a full ballet performance of Prokofiev’s Peter and the Wolf and in 2014 staged the North Texas premiere performance of Igor Stravinsky’s A Soldier’s Tale with the ae:mp Amity Perry and Company. In 2014 OCO collaborated with world renowned double bassist, Jeff Bradetich featuring the Tango music of Astor Piazzolla. The Odysseus Orchestra has also collaborated with legendary guitarist Andy Timmons and will share the stage in 2019 with Grammy Award Winning Polka Band, Brave Combo.

In its short history, the Odysseus Chamber Orchestra has gained a growing national reputation as an emerging ensemble, winning third prize in the 2015 American Prize Competition for professional orchestras and 2nd prize in the 2014. In 2016 the Odysseus Chamber Orchestra also received the Ernst Bacon Memorial Award for excellence in performing American Music. OCO has supported local service clubs like the Denton Breakfast Kiwanis Club, the Robson Ranch Kiwanis Club, sponsoring events such as the Eliminate Project Cruise and the Passing of the Banner Dinner. The outreach programs of Odysseus has expanded in the last two year, providing free chamber music series concerts, free amenity concerts in neighborhoods, educational school performances and collaborating with the Arts and Music Guild to organize the Summer Music Intensives. In 2017 OCO launched the first Young Artist Viola competition of its kind in the North Texas Region. Furthermore, OCO pioneered the Mentorship Program created by Artistic Director Jason Lim. This program provides high school orchestra students the opportunity to rehearse and perform side-by-side with members of OCO and in 2017, OCO launched the Greater North Texas Youth Orchestra.  
 
​
THE GREATER NORTH TEXAS YOUTH ORCHESTRA
Youth Orchestra Division of the McKinney Philharmonic Orchestra

​The mission of the Greater North Texas Youth Orchestra is to provide an environment which allows young musicians opportunities to grow their musical skills.  Through collaboration and mentorship via the Odysseus Chamber Orchestra, the GNTYO staff brings unique musical experiences to our student musicians. Our unique “Side-by-Side” program allows those students who wish to pursue a deeper musical education through performance the opportunity to play alongside the Odysseus Chamber Orchestra.
Our Mentorship program provides exceptional individual students the opportunity to be a part of a professional orchestra, rehearsing and performing in the Odysseus Chamber Orchestra subscription concerts.
For the 2019-2020 Season, we are excited to add The Celtic String Ensemble. Students will receive instruction on Celtic Instrumentation and structured improvisation utilizing methods taught by our very own Celtic Specialist, Mr. Keyreel Raskolenko.
 
The Greater North Texas Youth Orchestra is entering its 3rd season, and while still a young organization, has sustained consistent growth for each Season! This year, we will be expanding our rehearsal facilities to accommodate another 30% student growth!
 
GNTYO has two Student Performing groups: the Philharmonic Orchestra, Directed by Ms. Julie Daniels, a Veteran of String Education, with twenty-three years of Education and directing experience, the last twelve of which at the High School level.
The Symphony Orchestra is directed by Mr. Jason Lim an award winning international conductor.