For more than two years, Benjamin Klemme, the Santa Fe Youth Symphony Association's music director, has chosen and conducted the repertoire of the Santa Fe Youth Symphony Association's concerts. He sees a wide world of first-rate compositions that the young musicians of Santa Fe have no reason not to play.

Klemme is inspired with a love of classical music that began with his own trombone endeavors in fifth grade; and he is eager to teach and share all the notes and components that combine to make masterpieces. The SFYSA is well into its season, gearing up for the first big concert of the year.

In the difficult process of choosing pieces for the ensemble, Klemme has a method involving four questions. He asks first if the piece is a "first-rate, quality piece of music." Though its members are young, the SFYSA plays pieces written for professional orchestras. There's no need to search for special youngster-friendly music when "so much quality is already out there," Klemme said.

Next, he checks what he can teach through a piece. "Are there performance skills, music history, or music theory that I can incorporate," Klemme said.

Next, Klemme asks if the piece inspires
him. "There's no chance for orchestral
enthusiasm without my own initial positivity," he said.

Lastly, he asks himself if the piece is too difficult. "It should be a challenge to the students, but not so difficult that it is discouraging," he explained.

Once Klemme has deliberated over the thousands of possible pieces, he presents the selections on the first night of rehearsal.

Every Sunday from September to mid-December, the symphony members and conductor learn, repeat and polish the pieces, preparing for a winter concert to share their progress as musicians and accomplishments with the selected compositions.

This year, Klemme selected five numbers including Brahms' "Academic Festival Overture"; and Mendelssohn's "Wedding March." Smetana's "Dance of the Comedians" is filled with surprises, which the orchestra has been working hard on. For this piece, Klemme hands his baton over to Stephen Smith, the conductor for the Santa Fe Symphony Orchestra, who chose the piece and has been working with the youth orchestra this season.

Klemme doesn't have a favorite piece of the collection. "My favorite is always what we are playing in that moment," he said. He loves all the pieces equally and hopes that his students share and are inspired by his enthusiasm.

"In high school, I took my trombone performance very seriously, but now my instrument is the orchestra," Klemme said. He always wanted to be a teacher, to share what he loves.

This weekend is the exhibition of his impressive efforts, along with performances by other SFYSA groups as well. Admission is free and all are invited, but a $10 donation is encouraged at the door. Kelly Huber, SFYSA's executive director, said the funds raised will go toward scholarships and program costs.

Lucy Ohlsen is a senior at Santa Fe High. You can reach her at limefreak44@cybermesa.com.