ELIGIBILITY
Students in grades 6-9 are eligible to audition (5th graders
may be accepted at the Director’s discretion). Each student must
supply his/her own instrument. Harp, large percussion, and piano
will be provided. Fees are $75 for the year or $45 per semester.
A medical treatment consent form is required by the first rehearsal.
The Youth Orchestra presents two concerts annually on the stage
of the Midland Center for the Arts, which are free to the public.
Guest artists and clinicians add to the experience and student
solo opportunities are also available.
REHEARSAL AND CONCERT SCHEDULE
The Youth Orchestra season runs from September through March.
Rehearsals are held on Mondays from 4:30 - 6:30 p.m. at the Midland
Center for the Arts beginning September 13. Concerts are scheduled
for Tuesday, November 23 and Tuesday, March 22, 2005. Attendance
at all rehearsals and concerts is mandatory. A detailed calendar
will be issued to all members.
AUDITIONS
Auditions for the Midland Symphony Youth Orchestra will be
held September 9, 2004. Registrations will be accepted beginning
August 16 and may be obtained by calling 631-5930, ext. 1501.
A completed application form, available by calling the same number,
must be brought to the audition. Students will be asked to play
a prepared solo piece or etude of their choice, some sight-reading
and possibly scales.
SOLO OPPORTUNITIES
Ninth graders are chosen by audition to solo with the orchestra
at the March concert. Please indicate your interest at audition
time. Occasionally guest soloists also perform with the Youth
Orchestra.
SPECIAL ADVANTAGES
In addition to the opportunity to make good music and new
friends, the Youth Orchestra provides:
-
Admittance to MSO Friday night dress rehearsals with an opportunity
to meet many of the guest soloists.
-
An opportunity to sit in with musicians at the MSO rehearsal
on Sun., Jan. 30, 2005.
-
Monthly newsletters to keep students and parents up-to-date.
-
A complimentary MSYO T-shirt.
-
Group and individual photo opportunities.
-
Rehearsal refreshments and an annual pizza party.
OUR CONDUCTOR
Patricia Baser, associate concertmaster of the MSO, is orchestra director for the Chippewa Hills School District in Remus. She previously taught orchestra for Kenowa Hills Public Schools and has been an adjunct instructor at Aquinas College and Cornerstone University in Grand Rapids. She has a MM in violin performance from UNC-Greensboro, a BM in violin performance from the Cleveland Institute of Music, and completed her teacher training at Aquinas College. Ms. Baser was a member of the Grand Rapids Symphony for 10 years and their "Instrument Discovery Ensemble" program for third-graders. She has also performed with the West Shore, Kalamazoo, Southwest Michigan, Battle Creek, Traverse City, and Lansing symphonies, as well as the Bangor Symphony, Maine Chamber Orchestra, Greensboro Symphony and Missouri Chamber Orchestra. Summer activities include the American String Workshop and performances at "Baroque on Beaver". She and her husband, violinist Jason Economides, have two daughters, Zoe and Eleni.
OUR BRASS/WOODWIND ASSISTANT
Robin Von Wald holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in music education
from St. Olaf and a Master’s degree in music from the University
of Wisconsin-Madison. Robin studied with Douglas Hill and Nancy
Becknell. She teaches horn privately and is a member of the Midland,
Saginaw Bay, and Flint symphonies. She’s also Personnel Manager
and Music Librarian for the Midland Symphony Orchestra.
PLEASE NOTE
You’ll love the Youth Orchestra, but it is not meant to be
a substitute for your school music experience. School orchestra
participation is strongly encouraged.
For more information, please call the symphony office
at (989) 631-5930, ext. 1501.
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