Biblical tradition teaches us that life is fleeting and we must appreciate the smallest of joys as well as the largest among them. This is why King Solomon sent his Captain of the Palace Guard on a seemingly impossible mission to find a ring with the power to make a happy man sad and a sad man happy. The Captain’s search ended when he found a junk man who purported to have such a ring in his collection. The ring inscription read, very simply “GAM ZU YAAVOR”. In English, it means “This, too, shall pass.”
With that as prelude I announce that, as of 4/20/2020 Claudette and I will resign as artistic directors of the Minnesota Youth Symphonies, a post we have held jointly for almost 32 years.
I like to believe we have held that post with distinction in a variety of arenas but above them all is that we taught the best way we could at any given time. We surely learned a lot along the way but we always did the best we could.
32 years doing anything is an enviable run but having the ability to teach music to young people for that amount of time is a blessing.
This blog post will not serve (for the moment) as a recollection of high points and lessons learned. Rather, it is just an announcement of something that is soon to pass. However, I will humbly ask that if you are in the Twin Cities and wish to see our final concert, please find yourself at Orchestra Hall in Minneapolis on April 19th, 2020 at 2pm. It will be our pleasure to send our young people off for one last time.
Manny Laureano 
Dear Manny and Claudette,
This reminds me of the old hymn “On Our Way Rejoicing.” Thank you for your many years of service in this area. I have heard your work and seen your enthusiasm and am grateful you chose to live here.
Best wishes too you both with good wishes, too, for rest, relaxation, and music as audience members with the best seats in the house. God bless you.
Sincerely, A big fan.
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Manny & Claudette;
Thank you so much for the invaluable education, friendship, and memories our daughter and our family were able to experience through MYS.
Through both of you our appreciation and joy of music enhanced our lives greatly. Many happy memories of our daughter are entwined with MYS. You have been a gift to all of us!
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Congratulations for a job well done maestro! Time flies when you’re having fun!
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When we leave Orchestra Hall April 19th, the kids will be listening to Valse Triste by Sibelius in the car. I won’t be able to teach them the meaning of the song as well as Manny and Claudette would but the music will speak to them. Bravo Manny and Claudette.
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