USA-Lithuania Young Lions Jazz Orchestra & Romuva Jazz Concert in Siauliai, Lithuania July 21, 2024

Romuva
Romuva is a fantastic youth jazz orchestra in Siauliai, Lithuania with an international reputation for excellence.
USA-Lithuania Young Lions Jazz Orchestra
The USA-Lithuania Young Lions Jazz Orchestra is a dynamic collaboration between talented youth jazz musicians from Siauliai, Lithuania, and Omaha, Nebraska. Rooted in the sister city relationship established in 1996, this ensemble brings together teenagers from two continents, united by their passion for jazz music.
In Omaha, the orchestra draws its members from the prestigious Metropolitan Area Youth Jazz Orchestra (MAYJO), an ensemble comprising the finest high school students from the region sponsored by the University of Nebraska Omaha (UNO) School of Music. Renowned for their exceptional performances at venues like UNO’s Great Plains Jazz Festival, MAYJO musicians benefit from close mentorship with UNO faculty and renowned professionals such as Benny Golson, Peter Erskine, and Stefon Harris. Their accolades include recognition in the Downbeat Student Music Awards and selection for esteemed ensembles like NAfME All-National and Nebraska All-State bands and orchestras. Notably, MAYJO has graced the stages of the Jazz Education Network (JEN) International Conference multiple times.
Joining forces with MAYJO are the finest young Lithuanian musicians from the Šiauliai Saulius Sondeckis Arts Gymnasium. Šiauliai Saulius Sondeckis Arts Gymnasium, with its mission to nurture exceptional talents in music and art, provides a fitting counterpart to the esteemed tradition of MAYJO in Omaha. Together, they form the USA-Lithuania Young Lions Jazz Orchestra, embodying a shared commitment to excellence in music education.
In summer of 2024, the orchestra embarked on tours of America and Europe, showcasing their talents in Omaha, Nebraka (USA), across Lithuania, and at prominent jazz festivals in Latvia and Poland. With the support of the Omaha/Šiauliai Sister Cities Associations, these tours mark a significant milestone in cultural exchange and musical diplomacy.
With a vision of fostering agreement, community, and cross-cultural relationships, Šiauliai Saulius Sondeckis Arts Gymnasium and MAYJO exemplify the transformative power of music education. Together, the USA-Lithuania Young Lions Jazz Orchestra ignites the stage with their passion, talent, and the universal language of jazz.
PERSONNEL
Musical Director and USA Tour Manager, Pete Madsen - University of Nebraska Omaha (USA)
European Tour Manager, Zenonas Ripinskis - Šiauliai Saulius Sondeckis Arts Gymnasium (Lithuania)
European Tour Chaperone, Lee Madsen (USA)
USA Tour Chaperone, Loreta Narušienė - Šiauliai Saulius Sondeckis Arts Gymnasium (Lithuania)
Vocals, Beatričė Parnarauskaitė (Lithuania)
Accordion, Jonas Vozbutas (Lithuania)
Alto Saxophone, Jackson DiBaise (USA)
Tenor Saxophone, Hayden Johnson (USA)
Trumpet, Caden Cervantes (USA)
Trumpet, Ted Twit (USA)
Trombone, Drew Veomett (USA)
Piano, Elzė Marija Pauliukonytė (Lithuania)
Piano, Katie Ramos (USA)
Vibraphone, Jonas Zaleskis (Lithuania)
Bass, Michael Lathrop (USA)
Drums, Daniel Ramos (USA)
MUSICAL SELECTIONS
Bembe - Omaha Style by Rick Hirsch
Love Has To Do With It by Jose Valentino/arr. Pete Madsen
In Love Forever by Jose Valentino/arr. Pete Madsen
Alright, OK You Win/Soul Bossa Nova by Mayme Watts, Sid Wyche, Quincy Jones/arr. Gil Goldstein
Blues in the Night by Johnny Mercer & Harold Arlen/arr. Mark Benson
Tonight We Tango by Rick Hirsch
Hey Jude by John Lennon & Paul McCartney/arr. Mark Brymer
Fou Rire by Richard Gallismo & Jaroslaves Cechovicius