Brendon Wen stood backstage at the Harvard Sanders Theater, violin in hand, listening to the bustling whispers of the audience settling into their seats. The air buzzed with excitement for the Boston Youth Symphony Orchestra’s 67th season opener. Brendon, in his role as concertmaster, knew the gravity of leading the strings through Gershwin’s Cuban Overture. But even with all the pressure, he remained calm. “Right before the conductor swings his stick, in my head, I’m just like, ‘We gotta go, go, go,’” he said, smiling at the rush that only comes in moments like these.
The concertmaster plays an important role in guiding the orchestra and often collaborating closely with the conductor to interpret complex pieces. When he was only in 7th grade, Brendon made a name for himself as a standout violinist and concertmaster for the Young People’s String Orchestra of the Boston Youth Symphony Orchestras (BYSO).
On Oct. 13, Brendon took his seat as the concertmaster for Gershwin’s Cuban Overture. The string section followed his lead, each bow stroke deliberate, each phrase precise. As the music swelled, Brendon’s years of practice and leadership training came to life. Federico Cortese, the conductor, looked at him for cues, and Brendon responded with subtle movements, a signal to the rest of the section to fall in line. Despite the intensity of the piece, Brendon remained grounded, knowing his role wasn’t just about playing the notes but leading his peers through the emotional landscape of Gershwin’s masterpiece.
“It’s all about communication,” Brendon, a Sharon High senior, explained. “You’re working with the conductor, other principals, and your section, keeping everyone connected.”
Brendon’s musical journey didn’t start with the violin. At first, he played the piano, but he soon realized the instrument wasn’t for him. “I can’t carry a piano around, and it just doesn’t have the potential I was looking for,” he joked, reflecting on his early frustrations. At age 10, Brendon switched to the violin, an instrument he found himself drawn to after hearing on the car radio.
But the switch wasn’t easy. Starting later than many of his peers, Brendon had to catch up, practicing three hours every day to overcome the learning curve. Although it was hard, Brendon’s efforts and determination paid off, and he earned his spot as concertmaster on YPSO. From there, he continued to rise, playing lead roles in district and all-state orchestras. His experiences performing pieces like Wagner’s “Prelude to Die Meistersinger,” Elgar’s “Nimrod,” and Dvorak’s “Slavonic Dances” further solidified his understanding of music.
At the Boston Youth Symphony Orchestra, Brendon faced a new challenge—playing alongside much younger musicians. One of his fellow violinists was just eight years old. “It was crazy to be playing with someone that young, but it reminded me of how far I’ve come,” Brendon said. Despite the age gap, the sense of teamwork was ever-present.
Throughout the performance, Brendon embodied what it means to be a concertmaster—not just in his skill but in his ability to lead with empathy and compassion. “Leadership isn’t just about playing the right notes or being the best,” he said. “It’s about connecting with the people around you and helping them feel the music.”
As Brendon looks ahead to his next performances, including a ballet production of Prokofiev’s “Peter and the Wolf” at Symphony Hall on Nov. 9 and a four-act production of Verdi’s Don Carlo opera in January, his focus remains sharp. While balancing school and orchestra, he has his eyes set on continuing his musical journey into college, where he hopes to further refine his craft. His goal is not just to improve technically but to deepen his understanding of the violin’s role in different musical contexts—from Baroque to Romantic, Classical, and beyond.
For Brendon, the violin isn’t just an instrument—it’s a lifelong companion. “The violin has this incredible ability to take you places emotionally. It’s about feeling the music in your gut,” he said. With that same passion, he’s determined to continue leading, learning, and exploring the vast repertoire that the violin has to offer.