This past weekend, the Windsor Symphony Orchestra, led by Music Director John Morris Russell, gave the first-ever mainstage performance of a new work by high school French hornist, composer and member of the Windsor Symphony Youth Orchestra Eric Swiatoschik. The 8-minute long work, entitled Galactic Conquest, debuted at last Spring’s WSO | WSYO Side-by-Side Concert. Maestro Russell was so impressed by the piece that he decided to bring it to the WSO’s main stage at the Chrysler Theatre.

Swiatoschik, a student at Walkerville Collegiate Institute, worked with Assistant Conductor Peter Wiebe as a co-op student last season. Though his tasks were primarily related to data management, music distribution and other administrative work concerning the WSYO, Mr. Wiebe knew that Eric had done a little composing and decided to further that experience by asking him to assist in creating arrangements. “[Eric] was a very quick study,” says Wiebe, “so I decided to ask him to write a piece for the Youth Orchestra, knowing that he would be on schedule and full of creative drive. I was not disappointed!” The work was performed on a pair of Pops Series concerts by the WSO.

For more information about the Windsor Symphony Orchestra, please visit windsorsymphony.com.