North Olympic Youth Symphonies
The North Olympic Youth Symphonies will begin their twenty-third season on Monday, September 17, with an orientation meeting for all parents, members and prospective members. All parents and students who are interested in being a part of this season should attend. The meeting will be held in the Stevens Middle School library from 5pm to 6pm. The rehearsal and performance schedule for the season will be passed out at this meeting. Orchestra assignments will be announced, shirts will be passed out, rules and policies discussed and questions answered.
The North Olympic Youth Symphonies is a family of several ensembles designed for young musicians who want something in addition to the public school program.
The Honor Orchestra (strings only) is designed for the motivated string student who has played at least one year and can read music.
The Junior Youth Orchestra (full -strings, winds and percussion) is for more advanced players, membership is by approval of the director .
The Youth Orchestra (full) is the most advanced group. Membership in this orchestra is by audition only and is for students in the 8th grade and above.
The wind Ensemble is for wind performers. They perform in this ensemble in addition to an orchestra.
Open auditions for the Youth Orchestra will be at Stevens Middle School, 10 September , from 3: 15 to 5pm. This audition is required if you wish to join the Youth Orchestra and are not a past member of that orchestra. New members, who will be performing with the Honor, Jr. Youth need not audition. You will be admitted only if demonstrate enough proficiency on your instrument. Auditions are important and you should prepare for them well. Other times may be arranged by calling 452-3008. Each musician should come prepared with a short (3 minute) selection, two different scales (the greater the range the better) and be prepared to sight-read,
Rehearsals for all groups are on Mondays at Stevens Middle School in Port Angeles. The Honor Orchestra rehearses from 4 pm to 5 pm. The Junior Youth rehearses from 5 pm to 6: 15 pm with a wind sectional beginning at 4:40 pm. Youth Orchestra rehearses from 4pm to 6pm. Wind Ensemble rehearses from 3:45 pm to 4:30 pm.
There are three regular concerts during the season (November 7, February 12, and April 23).
Evelyn Tobin has set up a scholarship fund to help NOYS members with private lessons, Any member in good standing and at least one year experience with NOYS may apply. For returning members to be in good standing you need to have turned in your music and shirt by June 1, 2000, have taken care of your last year's dues and maintained attendance requirements at rehearsals and concerts1ast year. You need only check the "Tobin Scholarship requested" box on the app1ication form to request a scholarship. All scholarships are awarded based on length of time the student has been a member of NOYS and on the amount of past scholarships awarded. Financial need may become part of the equation if you tell us about it, but we will not ask.
The NOYS also has a small inventory of stringed instruments for loan. They are mostly smaller violins. If you are a member in good standing and wish to borrow one just let us know.
Port Angeles is a community with a remarkably strong music: program. The foundation of this program is the support it receives in the public schools. NOYS is a supplement to this program, not a substitute. We assume that all members of NOYS participate in their school program too. This is the only way it will work. Rehearsing just one day a week cannot replace the daily contact the school program offers. Students who do not participate in their school program do not keep up. The best possible combination is the public school program, private lessons and participation in NOYS. This is what we recommend.
Please get your applications in a soon as possible. It is important in the planning of music for the first concert to know what the instrumentation for the groups will be. This is especially true for the Youth Orchestra and String Symphony.
North Olympic Youth Symphonies Policies
Rehearsals for the NOYS are held at Stevens Middle School. Youth rehearsal runs from 4 pm to 6 pm. Honor rehearsal runs from 4 pm to5 pm. Jr. Youth rehearsal runs from 5 pm to 6: 15. Wind Ensemble runs from 3:45 pm to 4: 30 pm. Attendance at all rehearsals is required. The above times are when the rehearsal ~. Members should arrive 10 minutes early to get their instrument and music ready and get your instrument tuned. Be ready to start playing at the beginning time for your group. To request a scholarship to help with your dues, or if you wish to pay over time you need only to let us know by 1 November to take care of this obligation.
Participation in all concerts is required.
Concert dress for the Youth Symphony and String Symphony is tux shirt and bow tie (both provided by the NQYS), ~ pants or skirt, ~ socks and ~ shoes. Concert dress for the Junior Youth Symphony is tux shirt and bow tie (both provided by the NOYS), dark pants or skirt and dark socks and shoes. Concert dress for the Honor Orchestra is NOYS T -shirt (provided by the NOYS) and pants or skirt. For those choosing to wear a skirt it should be below the knees when sitting.
Dues are $150 for the year. Payment is due November 1st and should be sent to NOYS. 509 S. Chambers. Port Angeles. WA 98362.
If you need up to date information and a calendar of all rehearsals, concerts and activities of the NOYS can be found at www.olympus.net/personal/bratsche/noys.htm
Members of the Youth Symphony who miss two rehearsals in preparation for a concert, without notifying the conductor as to the reason will be dropped from the orchestra.
In the case that the Port Angeles School District calls off school for any reason on a day in which a regular rehearsal is scheduled we too will cancel. Notice of the cancellation will be posted with the local radio stations and on our answering machine (452-3008).
Questions about tux shirts? Call Sherri Rogers 452-2930.
General questions? Call Morgan-Ellis. 452-3008.
North Olympic Youth Symphony Concert Schedule
North Olympic Youth Symphony
Nov 7, 2001 - Port Angeles
High School
Auditorium 7:00 PM Free Admission
North Olympic Youth Symphony
Feb 12, 2002 - Port
Angeles High School
Auditorium 7:00 PM Free Admission
North Olympic Youth Symphony
April 23,2002 - Port
Angeles High School
Auditorium 7:00 PM Free Admission
For information please call (360) 457-3008