Within any competitive field, especially music, there are always those capable of distinguishing themselves from the crowd. Through skill and hard work, Diamond Bar High School freshman Jesse Hu has taken another step toward a successful career in music. 

Hu was accepted by the prestigious National Youth Orchestra 2 (NYO2) program, which will take place in the month of July. An extremely selective program based in New York City’s Carnegie Hall, NYO2 only accepts 80 musicians annually.

“It’s an amazing opportunity for young musicians like me to stand out and play with those around the country,” Hu said via Discord. 

Hu began playing the oboe at the age of nine while attending Evergreen Elementary. He was spurred on by his parents to pursue an instrument other than the piano and chose to follow in an elder cousin’s footsteps as an oboe player.

“I was only nine years old at the time, so I trusted my cousin when she said oboe was fun and that Diamond Bar had a good oboe teacher,” Hu said. 

Leading up to his recorded submission for NYO2, Hu’s practice schedule consisted of one hour on weekdays and four hours over the weekend. His routine mainly involved playing parts of pieces he believed his performance was lacking. 

“A lot of the application process was just me making sure to get lots of practice and to get a good take on the recording,” Hu said. 

For Hu’s audition, he played Tchaikovsky’s “Swan Lake,” Mendelssohn’s “Scottish Symphony: Oboe Solo” and Paladilhe’s “Oboe Concertante.” “Swan Lake” and “Scottish Symphony” were both required by NYO2 and Hu was given free choice for his final piece. 

“I chose to record Paladilhe because I believed it was my best piece,” Hu said. “The piece highlights my musicality well and is one of my cleaner pieces when it comes to technique.” 

According to Hu, this technique encompasses three main categories which consist of breath control, quality of play affected by finger movement and articulation, which affects the transitions in the piece. 

Prior to his acceptance to NYO2, Hu also participated in Interlochen’s Intermediate Orchestra during eighth grade and is currently in both of Colburn’s Youth Orchestras. The program has provided a way for young musicians to connect with others of their kind, while also providing professional coaching and conducting.

  “The Colburn Youth Orchestras allow me to develop my ability to play overall,” Hu said. “It also teaches me to listen and cooperate with those in or outside my section.” 

Although he currently has no plans to pursue music in higher education or as a profession, Hu said he strives to continue learning the instrument throughout the rest of high school. 

“I love the instrument, but I don’t really have any good plans other than trying out for NYO [NYO2 for older students] for the next few years.”