YOUTH ORCHESTRA PROGRAM

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Rehearsal times and locations:

Youth Symphony 6 p.m. - 8:30 p.m., Eppley

Philharmonia 6:30-8:00 p.m., Room 100

Symphonette 6:30-7:30 p.m., Room 221

Admission to the Youth Orchestra program is by audition. The conducting staff assigns each student to the orchestra that provides each student the best opportunity for successful performance and the appropriate level of challenge. Auditions are held in the spring. Supplemental auditions are held in the fall and students may audition at various other times for positions not filled in the regularly scheduled auditions. Members must also participate in their school band or orchestra programs, if available. Private study is strongly encouraged.

 

Symphonette

This is a training orchestra for string students only. It is designed to motivate and meet the needs of students in orchestra for the first time. Playing in orchestra teaches the student to read accurately and play with solid rhythm. It also introduces beginning theory and basic musicianship. The orchestra performs two concerts a year. It is conducted by Mr. Tom Miller.

 

Philharmonia

This orchestra is a full orchestra including strings and winds. Students must meet minimum requirements at the faculty's discretion. Skills developed are fluency in reading, playing in the first three positions, use of more complex rhythms and key signatures, and musicianship. Arrangements of orchestral repertoire are used. This orchestra prepares the students for the Youth Symphony. The orchestra performs two concerts a year.

 

Youth Symphony

This orchestra if the highest level in the program. Members are generally advanced high school and college level musicians. Membership is based on audition and faculty recommendation. This orchestra plays standard repertoire and students learn about professional standards of playing and orchestra protocol. The orchestra performs two concerts a year at Morningside College . This orchestra is conducted by Joe Shufro, faculty member at Morningside College and principal cellist of the Sioux City Symphony.

 

Auditions

Auditions are held in the spring of the year for the following fall. The short audition consists of two scales of the student's choice, an unaccompanied solo that need not be memorized, and a sightreading example provided by the conductors. Auditions for the 2008-2009 season will be held September 2.

 

Chair Placement

The audition for the Youth Orchestras Program will also serve as the audition for chair placement. In the event of a "tie," priority will be given to those with seniority.

 

Travel

Although no international tour is planned for the 2006-2007 season, we will be doing a joint concert with the Sioux Empire Youth Symphony and Sioux City Symphonies this year. Travel costs will be paid by the Academy.

 

Uniforms

Symphonette concert dress consists of black pants or skirts and white shirts. Philharmonia concert dress is black pants and white shirts for males and black dresses for females. Youth Symphony concert dress will be tuxes for males and black dresses for females.

 

Weather Cancellations

In case of bad weather, a decision will be made and put on the academy office answering machine and Web site no later than 4:30. If there is no school or an early dismissal for the Sioux City Public Schools due to inclement weather, rehearsal is cancelled.

Music and Folders

Music and folders will be provided for each student at the beginning of each session. Students not returning music after the concert will be fined replacement costs.

 

Scholarship Competition

The Scholarship Competition is open to all members of the Youth Orchestra Program of the Leo Kucinski Academy of Music. This year the competition will be held in conjunction with the Leo Kucinski Academy of Music Concerto Competition on November 18, 2006. Students must perform one or more selections up to 10 minutes in total duration. Selections need not be memorized. Contestants must provide their own accompanist and an original copy of the music with numbered measures for the judges. No photocopies are permitted.

 

The basis of the critiques will be as follows:

Technical proficiency (tone quality, intonation, rhythmic accuracy, facility)

Interpretation and style (phrasing, articulation, dynamics, tempo, tone color)

Presence (preparation, poise, projection).

Prizes are scholarships for private lessons, youth orchestra tuition, or summer camp tuition:

Symphonette
1 st place - $75, 2 nd place - $50

Philharmonia
1 st place string - $100, 2 nd place - $75
1 st place non-string - $100, 2 nd place - $75

Youth Symphony
1 st place string - $100, 2 nd place - $75
1 st place non-string - $100, 2 nd place - $75

Please mail the registration form found in the back of this brochure or return it to the Academy Office by October 18, 2006.

 

Concerto Competition

The Leo Kucinski Academy of Music Concerto Competition, formerly the Marcia Lehmberg Concerto Competition, is open to all musicians age 21 and under who reside within a 100 mile radius of Sioux City . Instrumentalists must perform a movement of a concerto or an appropriate concert piece with orchestral accompaniment 10 to 15 minutes in length. Vocalists may perform a single selection or a group of related selections with orchestral accompaniment with a total length of 10 to 15 minutes. All contestants MUST perform from memory with piano accompaniment. All contestants should provide an original copy for their accompanist as well as an original copy with measures numbered for the judges. Repertoire will be approved by Youth Symphony conductor, Joseph Shufro.

First prize is a $200 cash award and the opportunity to perform as the featured soloist with the Youth Symphony on their spring concert. Second prize is a $150 cash prize and an invitation for a solo appearance at the 2006 Youth Orchestras Program winter concert.

To register, please mail the form found on page 34 of this brochure or return it to the Academy Office by October 18, 2006.