In 1949 the Charleston Women's Club saw a need for young musicians to be able to perform in an orchestra in order to enhance individual and school ensemble playing. At the time, the Women's Club emphasized the need for cooperation between cultural and education groups in order to make the orchestra successful. The need is still in place today.
The West Virginia Youth Symphony (WVYS) seeks to provide the opportunity for individual growth of musically talented and motivated youth through the training and performance of the highest possible quality of orchestral and chamber music literature. The WVYS endeavors to develop pride and self-esteem in young people from all cultural backgrounds through their individual musical achievement and to instill values, discipline and learning abilities that will benefit them throughout their lives. The WVYS aspires to perpetuate support of professional classical music by enriching local culture and to increase the awareness of and participation in such music in underserved communities.
The West Virginia Youth Symphony is a non-profit arts organization that supports four music ensembles and various chamber groups:
Members of all the groups come from schools and colleges throughout West Virginia and surrounding states. The program includes rehearsals, sectionals, ensemble playing and concerts held September through June. Master classes, field trips, run-out concerts and other special events may be included as funding permits. Students are presented challenging music to encourage musical growth and to provide a stimulating and fun learning experience.
Weekly rehearsals include full practices led by the conductors of each ensemble, as well as occasional classes for each instrumental “section” of the ensembles. Sectionals, as these classes are called, are led by additional faculty members who are professional musicians. There are three or four sectional classes scheduled for each student throughout the season, occurring during regular rehearsal time.
Students interested in participating in a chamber ensemble should sign up with the General Manager during the first several rehearsals in the fall. Conductors will determine chamber eligibility on the basis of seating auditions and their general knowledge of the student’s progress. Once the ensembles are established, a coaching and rehearsal schedule for each ensemble will be distributed. Chamber ensembles meet on Mondays from 5:30-6:25 P.M. (the hour prior to normal rehearsal) twelve times throughout the season. The general attendance policy for WVYS will apply to chamber ensembles. It is imperative that each student attend regular rehearsals, come with their own music stands and have music prepared. Failure to do so may result in expulsion form the program or ineligibility for the following year.
All WVYS members are expected to advance their musical training with private music lessons. The WVYS staff will be happy to assist students in selecting a teacher.
Donations and grants have been designated to provide financial aid to any and all students who are unable to meet the tuition requirements. For a request form, write or call the West Virginia Youth Symphony, PO Box 2292, Charleston, WV 25328, (304) 957-9888, or download from our website at wvyouthsymphony.org.
The WVYS does not rent instruments. However, some instruments may be available for use in rehearsal. A damage deposit may be required before any WVYS instrument is taken home for practice. More information will be provided to those interested.
Conductor’s Assistants will be present at rehearsals and concerts to assist the conductors and the General Manager with many duties: setting up and taking down rehearsal spaces, collecting money and forms, handing out and collecting music, assisting their ensemble at concert warm-ups and concerts, etc. Parent volunteers will serve as assistants.
Although the WVYS is a separate organization from the West Virginia Symphony Orchestra, the symphony board has been most generous to the Youth Symphony. In addition to donating office space, they invite all Youth Symphony members to attend concerts in the WVSO regular symphonic series and the concerts of the Montclaire String Quartet free of charge. Youth Symphony students are sometimes invited to attend selected West Virginia Symphony concert rehearsals. The West Virginia Symphony Orchestra has also generously offered all WVYS families a 50% discount on Grand Series season tickets.
Challenges are in place to provide students with opportunities for advanced seating within their ensemble. The expectation is to foster healthy competition among players in the group. Standards of performance are elevated when students must maintain their “chair”.
The West Virginia Symphony Orchestra has a program designed for serious high school music students with talent and a strong desire for success as a future professional musician or educator. For eligibility requirements and application please contact Betty King with the WVSO or visit the West Virginia Symphony Orchestra’s web site at www.wvsymphony.org. Applications are normally due in mid-late November, 2015 by 5:00 pm in WVSO offices. Further information will be available soon about audition dates.
The WVYS has space in the offices of the West Virginia Symphony Orchestra, newly moved to the West Side of Charleston at 110 Wyoming Street. The WVYS is staffed on a part-time basis by Marjorie Cooke, the General Manager, reachable at 304-957-9888. If the General Manager is not in the office at the time of your call, please leave a message or e-mail her at wvyouthsymphony@gmail.com.
For your convenience, a directory of contact people has been provided below. If you have questions or concerns during the year, these are the people to contact:
President
|
Board Of Directors
|
Andy Blackwood
|
552-1171
|
Parent Advisory Rep *
|
Board Of Directors
|
TBD
|
|
Youth Orchestra
|
Conductor
|
Robert Turizziani
|
552-7567
|
Youth String Ensemble
|
Conductor
|
Ian Jessee
|
550-3078
|
Cadet Strings
|
Conductor
|
Sandra Groce
|
610-2443
|
Youth Winds
|
Conductor
|
Joshua Humphreys
|
|
General Manager *
|
|
Marjorie Cooke
|
957-9888
|
Conductor’s Assistant
|
Cadet Strings
|
Mary Odin
|
444-5990
|
Conductor’s Assistant
|
Youth Strings
|
Julie Serafin
|
357-4934
|
Conductor’s Assistant
|
Youth Orchestra
|
Carol Frail
|
982-4418
|
Music Librarian
|
Youth Orchestra
|
TBD
|
|
Driving Directions
Directions to Horace Mann Middle School:
(site of rehearsals and some auditions)
If you are traveling on I-64 E —Take Exit 98 (35
th Street Bridge Exit) After crossing the bridge, stay on 35
th street until you reach the traffic light. Turn left at the light onto MacCorkle Avenue and proceed to 43
rd Street. Horace Mann is a beige brick building that takes up the block between 43
rd and 44
th streets) Turn left on 43
rd , proceed one block to Noyes Avenue, turn right onto Noyes Avenue. (Use the Noyes Avenue entrance.)
If you are traveling on 64 W – Take the MacCorkle Avenue Exit. There are two ramps on this exit. Get in the left lane and take the ramp going west. At the bottom of the ramp you will go right onto MacCorkle. Stay on MacCorkle until you reach 44
th Street Horace Mann is a beige brick building that takes up the block between 43
rd and 44
th streets.) Turn left onto 43rd, proceed one block to Noyes Avenue, turn right onto Noyes and use the Noyes Avenue entrance to the school.
Directions to Kanawha United Presbyterian Church
1009 Virginia Street, East in Downtown Charleston
(site of Chamber Concert and some auditions)
From Interstate I-64 - Take the Clay Center Exit (Exit 100). At the stoplight at the end of the exit ramp, continue traveling through five stoplights all the way to the Kanawha River. Turn right onto Kanawha Boulevard. Travel several blocks on Kanawha Boulevard, turn right into Kanawha Church back parking lot. You will see the church name on the side of the gymnasium. There is a parking lot adjacent to the church that stretches from Virginia Street to Kanawha Boulevard. Free parking is available on weekends, and for a fee during the week. Find the side courtyard garden on east side of church and enter through pink door. Sanctuary doors are on Virginia Street side of the church and will only be open on concert days, not for auditions.
Directions to Scottish Rite Temple
(site of the Winter and Spring concert)
From Interstate I-64 - Take the Clay Center Exit (Exit 100). At the stoplight at the end of the exit ramp turn right onto Washington Street. Travel two blocks on Washington Street, turn right onto Capitol Street. The Scottish Rite Temple is located on the right-hand side of the street immediately past Kinko’s.
WVYS Chamber Rehearsal Schedule
for the 2015-2016 Season
First Semester
October 5 (5:30- 6:25 pm)
October 19
November 2
November 9
November 30
Second Semester
January 4
January 11
January 25
February 1
February 22
February 29
March 7
* ** Chamber Concert ~ Sunday March 13th at 3:00 pm ***
Kanawha United Presbyterian Church
Playing in a chamber ensemble is a free,
optional, fun, and educational program for members of the Youth Symphony. It is an
honor and is
reserved for the most accomplished players in the West Virginia Youth Symphony.
Students interested in participating in a chamber ensemble can sign up with the General Manager during the first five rehearsals. Conductors will determine chamber eligibility on the basis of seating auditions and their general knowledge of the student’s abilities and progress. Once the ensembles are established and coaches are assigned, students are apprised of their ensemble. Chamber ensembles meet on Mondays from 5:30-6:25 P.M. (the hour prior to normal rehearsal) twelve times throughout the season. Typically, about 35-40 of the most accomplished players sign up for the program. Students learn a lot, and typically have a lot of fun with their coaches and fellow players! We encourage you to discuss chamber with an older student or your conductor today ~ we hope you decide it is the right choice for you!
The general attendance policy for WVYS will apply to chamber ensembles.
It is imperative that each student attend regular rehearsals, come with their own music stands and have music prepared.
In addition to performing in a special Chamber Ensemble Concert, various ensembles are often asked to represent the WVYS by playing for special events throughout the season.
West Virginia Youth Symphony First Semester Calendar
2015 – 2016 Season
Please Note! The following schedule is subject to change! The WVYS follows the Kanawha County School schedule. If schools are closed or dismissed early due to inclement weather, rehearsals will be cancelled. Please check email and the web site at www.wvyouthsymphony.org for last minute changes.
Rehearsal begins promptly at 6:30pm. Plan to arrive early to unpack and tune. You should be in your seat ready to play at 6:30pm.
August
20 Student Auditions ~ 5:00 pm at Kanawha United Presbyterian Church
23 WVYS Season Kickoff Potluck Picnic ~ 4:00 – 6:00 pm at Coonskin Shelter #15
24 First Rehearsal for Cadet Strings, Youth Strings, Youth Orchestra & Youth Winds ~ 6:30 pm
(Parent Meeting during first rehearsal from about 6:30 – 7:00 pm)
31 Rehearsal at 6:30 pm (Chamber Ensemble Program Sign Ups!)
September
3
WVYS Board Meeting ~ 5:30 pm at 110 Wyoming Street, at the new WVYS offices
7 No School – No Rehearsal!
9 Music Teacher Appreciation Event ~ 5:30 – 7:30 pm at 110 Wyoming Street
14 Rehearsal at 6:30 pm ~ and Chamber Sign Ups
Youth String Seating Auditions
19 WVSO Concert ~ 8:00 pm (Suppe, Beethoven, Dvorak with Julian Schwarz, cello)
Tentative Cello Master Class with guest artist Julian Schwarz
21 Rehearsal at 6:30 pm ~ and Chamber Sign Ups
Youth Orchestra (live) Seating Auditions ***(NO rehearsal for Wind, Brass & Perc)***
28 Rehearsal at 6:30 pm ~ and Chamber Sign Ups
Cadet Strings & Youth String Sectionals
October
5 Rehearsal at 6:30 pm ~ and Chamber Sign Ups
Cadet Playing Test
Youth Orchestra String Sectionals
12 No School ~ No Rehearsal!
19 Rehearsal at 6:30 pm ~ and First Chamber Rehearsal at 5:30 pm
24 WVSO Concert ~ at 8:00pm at Clay Center
26 No Rehearsal!
30 WVYS Concerto Competition Application Deadline ~ 5:00 pm WVYS Offices on Wyoming Street
November
2 Rehearsal at 6:30 pm ~ and Chamber at 5:30 pm
Youth String Sectionals
Youth Orchestra Sectionals (Joint String and Individual Wind, Brass & Perc Sectionals)
9 Rehearsal at 6:30 pm ~ and Chamber at 5:30 pm
(Deadline for Winter Concert Program Ads)
14 Cadet Strings Retreat & Rehearsal ~ at 12:00 pm – 3:00 pm at location TBD
WVSO Concerts ~ Adams, Ravel, Gershwin & Dvorak
16 No Rehearsal!
23 No Rehearsal ~ KCS Thanksgiving Break
30 Rehearsal at 6:30 pm~ and Chamber at 5:30 pm
December
5 WVYS WINTER CONCERT ~ Saturday at 3:00 pm at Scottish Rite Temple (CS, YS and YO perform)
WVSO Concert ~ at 8:00 pm at Clay Center
7 No Rehearsal! (Conductors needed for second semester auditions ~ at 6:00 pm at HMMS)
9 WVYS Board Meeting ~ 5:30 pm at 110 Wyoming Street, at the new WVYS offices
11-12 WVSO Nutcracker Performances
14 Semester End Pizza Party & Rehearsal at 6:30 pm ~ receive NEW MUSIC for 2nd semester!
31 Good Night Performances by WVYS chamber ensembles ~ 6:00 and 8:00 pm at KUPC
West Virginia Youth Symphony Second Semester Calendar
2015 – 2016 Season
January
4 Rehearsal at 6:30 pm
11 Rehearsal at 6:30 pm ~ and Chamber at 5:30 pm
18 No School ~ No Rehearsal
25 Rehearsal at 6:30 pm ~ and Chamber at 5:30 pm
February
1 Rehearsal at 6:30 pm ~ and Chamber at 5:30 pm
6 WVYS Concerto Competition ~ 9:00 am at Kanawha United Presbyterian Church
WVSO POPS Concert ~ 8:00 pm (John Williams)
8 No Rehearsal!
15 No Rehearsal!
22 Rehearsal at 6:30 pm ~ and Chamber at 5:30 pm
25 RCYBE/ACC/WVYS (*Orchestra Only) Collaborative Rehearsal Maier Theater time TBA
26 RCYBE/ACC/WVYS Collaborative Performance ~ 10:00 am and 7:30 pm at Clay Center
29 Rehearsal at 6:30 pm ~ and Chamber at 5:30 pm
March
5 WVSO Concert ~ 8:00 pm (Brahms Requiem)
7 Rehearsal at 6:30 pm ~ and Chamber at 5:30 pm
13 WVYS CHAMBER CONCERT ~ 3:00 pm at Kanawha United Presbyterian Church
14 No Rehearsal!
17 WVYS Board Meeting ~ 5:30 pm at WVYS offices, 110 Wyoming Street
19 WVSO POPS Concert ~ 8:00 pm (The Blue Planet, BBC Earth)
21 Rehearsal at 6:30 pm ~ and Chamber Ensemble Cookie Cake Celebration!
23 Cadet String Ensemble RUN OUT Performances ~ (all day) location TBD
28 KCS Spring Break ~ No Rehearsal
April
4 Rehearsal at 6:30 pm
9 WVYS Orchestra rehearses with WVSO for SIDE BY SIDE CONCERT
WVSO Concert with the WVYSO! ~ 8:00 pm at Clay Center (All Sibelius, Finlandia with WVYSO)
11 Rehearsal at 6:30 pm
16 WVSO POPS Concert ~ 8 pm at Clay Center (Time for Three)
18 Rehearsal at 6:30 pm
25 Rehearsal at 6:30 pm
May
1 WVYS SPRING CONCERT ~ SUNDAY at 3:00 pm at the Scottish Rite Temple
2 No Rehearsal!
3 KCS All County Strings Performances ~ 7:30 pm at the Clay Center
9 Rehearsal at 6:30 pm
16 Rehearsal at 6:30 pm
19 WVYS Board Meeting ~ 5:30 pm at WVYS offices on Wyoming Street
23 Rehearsal at 6:30 pm
24 Move-Up String Auditions (only time offered during season)
25 New Student String Auditions
26 Wind, Brass & Percussion Auditions ~ (Re-audition required for current students)
30 No School ~ No Rehearsal
June
5 WVYS Symphony Sunday Concert ~ Time TBD
NOTES
NOTES
INSTRUMENTAL IN
CHANGING LIVES!
WEST VIRGINIA YOUTH SYMPHONY
P. O. BOX 2292
CHARLESTON, WV 25328
304-957-9888
www.wvyouthsymphony.org
wvyouthsymphony@gmail.com