When the Maryland Symphony Youth Orchestra takes the stage on December 3, Dr. Britney Alcine will be leading a group of young musicians whose growth she has helped shape, and whose accomplishments continue to surprise and inspire her.
As the MSYO’s Hugh and Marty Talton Youth Conductor, Alcine brings her love of music and belief in young musicians to an ensemble that completed its inaugural season in June 2026. Ahead of the winter concert, we asked her about her path to conducting, what she enjoys about working with the MSYO, and the advice she would give her younger self.
What first drew you to conducting, and when did you realize it was something you wanted to pursue?
I was first drawn to conducting as a rookie member of my marching band. I joined my high school marching band as a freshman in high school and our drum majors were two talented and respectful seniors that we all looked up to. They were both musical, had great presence, and were overall wonderful resources to the band. I remember sitting in the stands at one of the last football games of the season that year and asking one of the other seniors what it would take to become the drum major, and he asked me if that was something I wanted to do. I didn’t know it yet, but that was the first time I actually thought of becoming a conductor and leading an ensemble myself. I later became the lead drum major of my high school marching band in my junior and senior years of high school, but it wasn’t until my junior year of college that I considered pursuing conducting as an area of study and careers for conducting, and that’s where the journey really took off.
What has been the most rewarding part of working with the young musicians of the Maryland Symphony Youth Orchestra?
Seeing the growth of the musicians, whether over a concert cycle or from year to year, has been the most rewarding part of working with the MSYO. The young musicians are so receptive to my instruction and are always eager to improve. I think they tend to surprise themselves with what they are able to achieve, and that is a special thing to witness.
When you’re working with young musicians, what do you hope they take away from the experience?
There is so much that goes into a great performance: being a contributing member of a section, playing a solo very expressively, playing in tune and in time, and the list goes on, but what I hope young musicians take away from my work with them is to play with confidence and to serve the music. Both of those things make the performing and listening experience that much more exhilarating.
If you could go back and give your younger self one piece of advice about pursuing music, what would it be?
Keep going. Pursuing music is not about having the most talent; it’s about doing it even when you want to stop. I’ve had multiple moments in my life where I’ve questioned whether I was good enough or whether I should stop and try another career path, and after those moments of self-doubt I’ve come back more determined to push forward because I love music and conducting, and I can’t give them up.
Hear Their Progress. Share in Their Music.
Join Dr. Alcine and the Maryland Symphony Youth Orchestra for an evening celebrating the dedication, talent, and growth of our region’s young musicians. Bring your family, invite a friend, and help give these students a warm welcome as they share what they’ve been working toward.
Thursday, December 3, 2026 | 7 p.m.
Williamsport High School
Tickets: $10 adults | $5 children
Purchase tickets at tickets.marylandsymphony.org.