For Musicians and Parents
The Youth Symphony of Southern Oregon organization includes three orchestras:
Youth Strings
Youth Strings, a string ensemble composed of young violinists, violists
and cellists, is under the direction of YSSO Associate Conductor Faina
Podolnaya. The ensemble performs arrangements of works by Bartok, Vivaldi,
Caponegro, Beethoven, Bossuat, Kabalevsky, Mozart, Alshin, Händel, Lully and
many other composers. The musicians perform string music that builds
upon theoretical and musical concepts. Youth Strings musicians are
offered entry-level training, exposure to a variety of music and musical
terms, and perform in professional venues at Concert Series performances.
Participation is by annual audition.
Youth Orchestra
Youth Orchestra, formerly the YSSO Preparatory Orchestra, includes
young, developing intermediate-level string, wind and percussion musicians.
The ensemble is composed primarily of middle school students from throughout
the region. Youth Orchestra performs arrangements of works by a variety
of composers including Dvorak, Wagner, Brahms, Beethoven, Saint-Saëns,
Offenbach, Gliére, Strauss and Suppé, among others. Participation in
Youth Orchestra offers opportunities to learn rehearsal techniques
and performance practices. The full ensemble rehearses on Sunday afternoon
and its musicians participate in mini master classes or sectional rehearsals
led by professional musicians. Youth Orchestra performs in professional
venues and participates in Concert Series performances. The ensemble
is under the guidance of Dr. Cynthia Hutton, the YSSO’s Music Director/Conductor.
Participation and placement is by annual audition.
Youth Symphony
Youth Symphony, the YSSO’s advanced orchestra under the direction
of Dr. Cynthia Hutton, YSSO Music Director/Conductor, includes accomplished
high school and college age string, wind and percussion musicians from
southern Oregon and northern California. Youth Symphony performs standard
symphonic literature and concerti by composers such as Higdon, Franck, Copland,
Beethoven, Holst, Dvorak, Brahms, Prokofiev, Saint-Saens, Hummel, Barber,
Strauss, Sibelius, Bruch, Mendelssohn, Tchaikovsky, Vaughan Williams, Mahler and others. The
Silver Jubilee Concert Season will include the premiere of a new work by Mark Jacobs. The work was commissioned by the YSSO organization in honor of the 25th Anniversary Concert Season.
Each year, eligible advanced musicians in Youth Symphony may participate in the YSSO Concerto Competition and compete for an opportunity to perform as soloists with the Symphony.
The full ensemble rehearses each Sunday afternoon and musicians participate in additional sectional rehearsals led by professional musicians. The musicians in the YSSO organization’s premiere ensemble demonstrate advanced technical and musicianship skills, teamwork and discipline. The ensemble performs in professional venues and it is featured in all Concert Series performances. Participation and placement is by annual audition.
Click on the links in the left navigation menu for more detailed information for musicians in the YSSO ensembles.
