In the audience at Washington’s Bellevue Youth Symphony Orchestra’s March 12 concert were some unusual visitors: assistance dogs from the nonprofit Canine Companions for Independence. Audience members were invited to interact briefly with the dogs as part of a desensitization exercise by Canine Companions for Independence, which provides free trained assistance dogs and support to people with disabilities. The concert featured Sibelius’s Finlandia, Shostakovich’s Symphony No. 12, and Haydn’s Oboe Concerto with Kieran Matz, the youth orchestra’s co-principal oboist. In addition to the BYSO Youth Symphony, BYSO performing ensembles included the entry-level Cadet String Orchsetra and Debut String Orchestra; the mid-level Sinfonia and Premiere Orchestra; and the BYSO Percussion Ensemble, Flute Choir, Flute Orchestra, and Philharmonia. The dogs got a good report card: though handlers reported that the percussion ensemble’s performance was a bit nerve-wracking for the animals, the full orchestra was less stressful, and they lapped up the attention at post-concert gatherings.
