As Eastsiders gear up to celebrate America’s birthday next week, members of the Bellevue Youth Symphony Orchestra are preparing for the main event.

Looking to fill the shoes of the Bellevue Philharmonic Orchestra, who disbanded last summer as a result of financial stresses, members of the youth orchestra are busy rehearsing music that will accompany this year’s Bellevue Family 4th fireworks show. The performance, which begins 15-minutes prior to the fireworks, will feature 59 instrumentalists, including current youth symphony students and alumni, and a handful of BYSO coaches – many of whom previously performed with the philharmonic.

In addition to featuring a younger cast of players, this year’s “side by side” performance will give the youth players the opportunity to collaborate with a handful of professional players whom currently work as their coaches.

“Imagine if you were a basketball player and you got the chance to play a game with Shaquille O’Neal or Michael Jordan,” said Executive Director Ruth Brewster. “It creates an upsurge in [the students] playing and expectations.”

Brewster said the inclusion of side by side performances has long been a goal for the orchestra, and when it became evident not all 65 youth orchestra members would be able to commit to the summer performance, it seemed natural for the coaches and alumni to step in.

“I think its fabulous to give the members the opportunity to play with professionals,” said Carolyn Wyman, a master viola player and instructor with the youth symphony.

Brewster approached the Bellevue Downtown Association about allowing the Youth Symphony to take over the annual performance after hearing that the philharmonic’s performance last year would be their last. Given the youth orchestra’s connections with the downtown association – the two groups share the same office building and have worked together in the past – it was decided it would be a great fit.

As far as the set list goes, Brewster insists the songs will be familiar to all that attend.

Conducted by Dr. Teresa Metzger-Howe, this year’s set list was created in accordance with the youth symphony’s theme for the 2011-2012 season, “New Classics,” and will feature selections from “Jurassic Park,” and the “Phantom of the Opera,” alongside patriotic standards, “America The Beautiful” and  “Stars and Stripes Forever.” As it is an Olympic year, the symphony will also perform the “Olympic Fanfare and Theme.”