LA PLATA, Md. — The Charles County Youth Orchestra (CCYO) hosted a masterclass this with acclaimed cellist Marion Baker, giving student musicians a rare opportunity to refine their technique under the guidance of one of the region’s most accomplished performers.
The session, held Tuesday, Nov. 11, 2025, at Christ Church in La Plata, featured one-on-one instruction and live demonstrations for orchestra members and observers. Baker, who served as principal cello for both the Fairfax Symphony and the Virginia Chamber Orchestra, guided students through phrasing, bow strokes, intonation and tone development while offering insight into professional performance practices.
Baker studied cello with Orlando Cole at the Curtis Institute of Music and made his solo debut with the Nashville Symphony at age 14. He served as principal continuo player for the Washington Bach Consort for two decades and has performed as principal cellist with ensembles including the Washington Concert Opera, Fairfax Symphony, National Gallery Orchestra and National Philharmonic. A longtime faculty member at the New England Music Camp, he now teaches privately in the Washington, D.C., area and performs with the Sunrise Quartet, the Listen Local Ensemble, and as principal cellist of the Virginia Chamber Orchestra and Arlington Philharmonic.
The event drew strong participation from CCYO and its affiliated ensembles—Encore Strings, Encore Band and Prelude Strings—as part of the organization’s ongoing mission to offer quality music education and mentorship to young musicians throughout Southern Maryland.
Upcoming Performances
The orchestra will return to Christ Church for its annual Messiah Sing-Along Concert on Friday, Dec. 5, 2025, at 7 p.m., inviting the public to join in singing choruses from Handel’s “Messiah.” Admission is free, with donations accepted.
CCYO’s full ensembles will then perform at the Kris Kringle Marketplace Holiday Concert on Saturday, Dec. 13, 2025, at 5 p.m. at the Charles County Fairgrounds, 8440 Fairground Rd., La Plata.
Looking ahead, the Winter Concert will be held on Saturday, Jan. 18, 2026, at 3 p.m. (snow date Jan. 25) at Thomas Stone High School in Waldorf, followed by midyear auditions for all groups on Saturday, Feb. 7, 2026, from 9 a.m. to noon at Christ Church.
About the Charles County Youth Orchestra
The Charles County Youth Orchestra program includes four ensembles spanning beginning to advanced levels:
- CCYO: Advanced full orchestra (strings, winds, brass, percussion)
- Encore Band: Intermediate-level band
- Encore Strings: Intermediate-level string ensemble
- Prelude Strings: Beginning-level string ensemble
The program is led by Dr. Osman Kivrak (CCYO director), Dr. Teri Lazar (Encore Strings director), Takako Mato (Encore Band director) and Gabrielle Stanback Satterthwaite (Prelude Strings director). Each director brings a distinguished career in music performance and education, mentoring the next generation of classical musicians.
The orchestra is supported in part by grants from the Charles County Arts Alliance, Maryland State Arts Council, and the Charles County Charitable Trust.
For more information about upcoming performances, auditions, and educational programs, visit charlescountyyouthorchestra.org or follow @CCYO on Facebook and YouTube.
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