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Youth Orchestra Program

From its beginnings in 1966 with the Kitchener-Waterloo Junior Symphony, the KWS Youth Orchestra Program (YOP) has grown into a nationally recognized orchestral training program for young musicians. Today, the YOP consists of four orchestras in progressive levels: Preludium Strings (introductory ensemble), Youth Strings (junior ensemble), Youth Sinfonia (intermediate strings) and the Youth Orchestra (senior level, full orchestra). In addition, the YOP includes a large brass ensemble, the Valhalla Brass, and runs a comprehensive Chamber Music Program under the tutelage of the Bremen String Quartet.
The KWS Youth Orchestra Program offers weekly rehearsals, sectionals coached by KWS musicians, retreats, chamber music training, specialized sessions with guest coaches, community outreach performances, side-by-side performances with other YOP ensembles and with the KWS, concerts by all large ensembles and chamber music ensembles, collaborates with other performing arts organizations, and three major concerts per season in Raffi Armenian Theatre of The Centre in the Square. The KWS YOP also provides a field trip, “Youth Orchestra Night @ the KW Symphony”, a concerto competition, and, this season, an exchange trip between our senior Youth Orchestra with a youth orchestra from Oberlin, Ohio.

Click here for more details about each concert program and to order tickets.
The KWS Youth Orchestra Program invites you to our three major concerts of the 2011-12 season: December 3, 2011,  February 11 and April 14, 2012.
All three concerts are held in the Raffi Armenian Theatre of The Centre In The Square.  All concerts begin at 2:00 pm. The General Admission Subscriptions to all 3 concerts are priced at $30 for Adults and Seniors, $27 for Youth/Child, and $108 Family Subscription (2 Adults with 2 Children). Call our patron services office at 519.745.4711 or order online.
The YOP ensembles also perform at many community outreach events throughout the year.

Download an Application Form
Applications are still being accepted. All KWS Youth Orchestra Program candidates need to complete and submit the 2011/12 application. Returning members of Youth Strings and Youth Sinfonia are not required to re-audition but are requested to prepare the selected excerpts for seating placement. New candidates for the Youth Strings and Youth Sinfonia must audition at the start of the season in the fall. All Youth Orchestra candidates (returning and new) must audition at the start of the season. There are no auditions for the candidates for the introductory level string ensemble, Preludium Strings.

Introductory Level String Ensemble
Provides an introduction to orchestral performance for string players reading and playing at or above Grade 1 RCM or Suzuki Book I. The provided RCM / Suzuki playing levels are suggested guidelines only.
Rehearsals: Tuesdays, 5:15 to 6:15 pm; September through April, Conrad Centre for the Performing  Arts, 36 King St W, Kitchener
Conductor:  Allene Chomyn
Registration Requirements:
Qualified candidates please submit the application. There are no auditions for the Preludium Strings candidates. Please submit your application and bring your instrument to the “Open House” rehearsal on Tuesday, September 20, 5:15 – 6:15 pm, Conrad Centre for the Performing Arts
Fee:
$295 due at the rehearsal on September 28 along with membership form (distributed at the Open House). Half of the fee may be in the form of postdated cheque for January 15, 2012. Cheques payable to KW Symphony. Each additional YOP member from the same family is entitled to $60 discount off a regular registration fee.

Junior Level String Ensemble
Provides orchestral performance instruction for string players with some ensemble experience, reading and playing at or above Grade 3 RCM or Suzuki Book III. The provided RCM / Suzuki playing levels are suggested guidelines only.
Rehearsals: Tuesdays, 5:30 to 7:00 pm. September through April, Conrad Centre for the Performing  Arts, 36 King St W, Kitchener
Conductor: Angela Cox-Daly
Audition Requirements:
Prepare the selected Youth Strings excerpts available for pick up at Conrad Centre for the Performing  Arts, 36 King St W, Kitchener, Box Office doors (or can be emailed).
Auditions are scheduled for Tuesday, September 13, 2011 at Conrad Centre for the Performing  Arts. The YOP Coordinator will contact you with an audition time after the application has been received. Returning Youth Strings members please prepare the same excerpts for seating placement, to be held on Tuesday, September 13, 5:30 – 7:00 pm.
Fee:
$405 due at the rehearsal on September 20, 2011, along with membership form (distributed at the auditions). Half of the fee may be in the form of a postdated cheque for January 15, 2012. Cheques payable to KW Symphony. Each additional YOP member from the same family is entitled to $60 discount off a regular registration fee.

Intermediate Level String Ensemble
Provides instruction for string players with some ensemble experience playing at or above Grade 6 RCM or Suzuki Book V. The provided RCM / Suzuki playing levels are suggested guidelines only.
Rehearsals:
Wednesdays, 6:15 – 7:45 pm, September through April, Conrad Centre for the Performing  Arts, 36 King St W Kitchener
Conductor: Julie Baumgartel
Audition Requirements:
Prepare the selected Sinfonia excerpts available for pick up at at Conrad Centre for the Performing  Arts, 36 King St W, Kitchener, Box Office doors (or can be emailed).
Auditions are scheduled for Wednesday, September 14, 2011,Conrad Centre for the Performing  Arts.  The YOP Coordinator will contact you with an audition time after the application has been received.
Returning Sinfonia members please prepare the same excerpts for section seating placement, to be held on Wednesday, September 14, 6:15 – 7:45 pm.
Fee:
$405 due at the rehearsal  on September 21, 2011, along with membership form (distributed at the auditions). Half of the fee may be in the form of postdated cheque for January 15, 2012. Cheques payable to KW Symphony. Each additional YOP member from the same family is entitled to $60 discount off a regular registration fee.

Youth Orchestra (KWSYO)

Advanced Level Symphony Orchestra
Provides the thrilling experience of rehearsing and performing a wide variety of symphonic masterpieces. In addition to the weekly rehearsals, sectionals coached by KWS musicians, retreats, specialized sessions with guest coaches, community outreach performances, side-by-side performances with other YOP ensembles and with the KW Symphony, chamber music concerts and full orchestral performances, Youth Orchestra members will have an opportunity to compete in the annual Concerto Competition. Applicants should play at or above Grade 8 RCM or Suzuki Book VII (Strings). The provided RCM / Suzuki playing levels are suggested guidelines only.
Highlights of the 2011-12 season: We are pleased to announce the appointment of Evan Mitchell as the KWS Assistant Conductor. Evan will conduct the KWSYO as one of his duties. Also, in late October, the KWSYO will travel to the USA  to perform side-by-side with the Northern Ohio Youth Orchestra (Oberlin, Ohio) as part of an exchange visits happening this season. The NOYO will join us on stage for the December 3 concert.
Rehearsals:
Sundays, 1:00 to 3:30 pm September through April, Wilfrid Laurier University, Faculty of Music. First meeting: Sunday, September 11, 2011, 1:00 – 2:00 pm.
Conductor: Evan Mitchell
Audition Requirements:
Prepare the selected Youth Orchestra excerpts available for pick up at at Conrad Centre for the Performing  Arts, 36 King St W, Kitchener, Box Office doors (or can be emailed).
Auditions are scheduled at Wilfrid Laurier University, Faculty of Music for the following dates:

• STRINGS: September 9 (Friday evening) and 10 (Saturday morning), 2011
• WINDS / BRASS / PERCUSSION: September 10 (Saturday afternoon), 2011

The YOP Coordinator will contact you with an audition time after the application has been received.
Fee:
$450 due at the rehearsal on September 18, 2011, along with membership form (distributed at the auditions). Half of the fee may be in the form of postdated cheque for January 15, 2012. Cheques payable to KW Symphony. Each additional YOP member from the same family is entitled to $60 discount off a regular registration fee.

Intermediate to Advanced Level Brass Ensemble
Combining the power of the orchestral brass section with the intimacy of chamber music, the Valhalla Brass consists of trumpets, French horns, tenor and bass trombones, euphonium, tuba and percussion. Applicants should play at or above Grade 6 RCM. Advanced candidates may audition for Valhalla Brass exclusively or combined with Youth Orchestra auditions. The provided RCM playing level is a suggested guideline only.
Rehearsals:
Sundays, 3:30 - 4:30 pm, September through April,  Wilfrid Laurier University, Faculty of Music.
Conductor: Trevor Wagler
Audition Requirements:
Prepare two contrasting pieces or two contrasting movements of your choice. You may be asked to sight-read. If you audition for the Youth Orchestra, you will not need to re-audition for the Valhalla Brass. No accompanists are permitted for the auditions. Auditions are scheduled for September 10 (afternoon), 2011 at Wilfrid Laurier University, Faculty of Music.
The YOP Coordinator will contact you with an audition time after the application has been received.
Fee:
$295 due at the rehearsal on September 18, 2011, along with membership form (distributed at the auditions). Half of the fee may be in the form of a postdated cheque for January 15, 2012. Cheques payable to KW Symphony. Each additional YOP member from the same family is entitled to $60 discount off a regular registration fee.

Available For Youth Strings, Youth Sinfonia and Youth Orchestra string players
The YOP Chamber Music Program (CMP) provides chamber music instruction for all instrumentalists. Existing and new groups are welcome, as well as individual candidates who based on availability will be organized in ensembles (trios, quartets, etc.).
Training is provided by the distinguished members of the Bremen String Quartet (bremenstringquartet.com) who provide instruction focusing on leadership and abilities to follow, teamwork and active listening. The exploration of a wide range of chamber music repertoire is encouraged.  This program provides a fun and challenging way to create music, hone skills and expand performance opportunities.
The CMP concert will be scheduled towards the end of the season; other opportunities will include outreach events and CITS lobby performances.

Fee:
$15 per participant, per hour-long coaching session. Cheques payable to KW Symphony (submitted at the commencement of this program; the number of sessions TBD).

The KWS Volunteer Committee distributes thousands of dollars in awards and scholarships to deserving members of the five YOP ensembles and Chamber Music Program participants at the end of the season. The KWS also offers bursaries based on financial need.

Click here to learn more about the Kitchener-Waterloo Symphony Volunteer Committee Scholarships for Youth Orchestra.

Barb Kaplanek
Youth Orchestra Program Coordinator
Phone: 519.745.4711, x 390
Fax: 519.745.4474
Email: bkaplanek@kwsymphony.on.ca