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Youth Symphony Audition Applications Due Friday, Dec. 16

Friday, Dec. 16, is the deadline for teachers to recommend students to participate in one of the Chautauqua Regional Youth Symphony’s three orchestras. Pictured are the combined orchestras performing the Star Wars theme at their Spring Gala Concert last May in Chautauqua Institution’s Elizabeth Lenna Hall. A field trip is planned for Chautauqua Regional Youth Symphony students next spring to hear the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra perform “Star Wars and More: The Best of John Williams.”

The deadline for teachers to nominate students to join the Chautauqua Regional Youth Symphony is Friday, Dec. 16.

“The three orchestras of the Chautauqua Regional Youth Symphony present wonderful opportunities for serious music students,” said Katie Derrenbacher, Chautauqua Regional Youth Symphony board president.

The Chautauqua Regional Youth Symphonysponsors three orchestras. Prelude Strings is the orchestra for beginning string players, primarily middle schoolers. Young Artists Orchestra is a full orchestra for mid-level and above players, primarily upper middle and high school students. The most advanced orchestra, the String Chamber Orchestra, is exclusively for string players in high school and college. Students who study another instrument as well as a string can play in both Young Artists Orchestra and the String Chamber Orchestra.

Bryan Eckenrode is the music director and conductor. The Buffalo Philharmonic is among the orchestras he has performed with, including as principal cellist of the British Columbia (Canada) Mozart Festival Orchestra. The program coordinator for Artpark’s Music in the Woods series, Eckenrode is music director and conductor for the Warren Philharmonic Orchestra, has made frequent guest conducting appearances, and has taught at Canisius and Villa Maria Colleges, SUNY Buffalo State and the Nichols School in Buffalo.

Orchestra students are selected by teacher recommendation. In order to determine correct ensemble and seating placement, auditions are planned for Saturday and Sunday, Jan. 7-8. Audition application forms need to be completed by Dec. 16.

Weekly rehearsals for Prelude Strings begin on Friday, Jan. 13, from 4-5:30 p.m., at Christ First United Methodist Church on Lakeview Avenue in Jamestown. Young Artists Orchestra and String Chamber Orchestra begin rehearsals at the Reg Lenna Center for The Arts in Jamestown on Saturday, Jan. 14. The Young Artist Orchestra will rehearse from 10 a.m. to noon and Chamber Orchestra will rehearse from 12:15-1:45 p.m.

Plans are being made for a spring enrichment experience for all Chautauqua Regional Youth Symphony students to hear the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra perform “Star Wars and More: The Best of John Williams.” The trip will include supper at Dinosaur Bar-B-Que and a “backstage” get-together with some of the orchestra members.

The season will culminate with the Spring Gala Concert scheduled for Sunday, May 7, at Chautauqua Institution’s Elizabeth Lenna Hall, recognized as the premier performance hall in the area.

Chautauqua Regional Youth Symphony students pay tuition, but no one is turned away for inability to pay. The Chautauqua Regional Youth Symphony receives essential funding from foundations and other organizations in the community. While parents, board members and students all participate in fund raising, support by individuals and local organizations and businesses is significant.

The Chautauqua Regional Youth Symphony shows appreciation for its contributors by recognition on its website and in printed concert programs. Tax-deductible contributions to the Chautauqua Regional Youth Symphony can be mailed to P.O. Box 3454, Jamestown, NY 14702.

To learn more about the Chautauqua Regional Youth Symphony and its programs for young musicians, call 664-2465, ext. 202, email chautauquarys@gmail.com, or visit the website at www.CRYouthSymphony.comor the Chautauqua Regional Youth Symphony’s Facebook page.

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