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• KW Symphony Youth Orchestra Program overview
• 2008-09 AUDITONS
• Youth Strings
• Youth Sinfonia
• Youth Orchestra
• Valhalla Brass
• Chamber Music Program
• Awards and Scholarships
• 2008/09 Youth Orchestra Concert Calendar
• Contact us
KW Symphony Youth Orchestra Program
Founded in 1966 as the Kitchener-Waterloo Junior Symphony, today The KW Symphony Youth
Orchestra Program is a distinguished orchestral training program. The YOP consists of three
orchestras in progressive levels: Youth Strings (junior division), Youth Sinfonia (intermediate
orchestra) and the Youth Orchestra (senior level). In addition the YOP contains the Valhalla Brass,
a large brass ensemble.
The KW Symphony Youth Orchestra Program offers weekly rehearsals, sectionals coached by KWS
musicians, retreats, chamber music program, 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 and four major concerts per season in Raffi
Armenian Theatre of The Centre in the Square. The KWSYO program also provides annual “Youth Orchestra
Night @ the KW Symphony” and concerto competition.
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Auditions 2008-2009
Youth Orchestra Program Application
Click HERE to download an Application Form
All Youth Orchestra Program candidates please, complete and submit the 2008-09 application form
by no later then August 15, 2008. Candidates for the Youth Sinfonia and Youth Orchestra must audition
at the beginning of the season. Current members must re-audition. The Applications are distributed to
the current members, area senior elementary schools and high schools, local music schools, Wilfrid Laurier
University, Faculty of Music and University of Waterloo, Music Department. There are no Auditions for the
candidates for the junior level ensemble, Youth Strings.
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The Youth Strings
Introductory Level String Ensemble
Provides an introduction to orchestral performance for string players reading and playing at or above
Grade 2 RCM or Suzuki Book II. The Youth Rehearsals: Tuesdays, 5:30 to 7:00 pm at Centre in the Square
(The Studio) from September 16, 2008 until April 21, 2009. The conductor: Lance Ouelette.
Registration Requirements:
Qualified candidates please submit the application form and attend the “Open House” rehearsal on Tuesday
September 16th, 5:30 - 7:00 pm in The Studio of The Centre in the Square. Bring along the current piece
you are working on.
Fee:
$395 Due at the first rehearsal (September 23) along with membership form (distributed at the Open House).
Half of the fee may be in the form of postdated cheque for January 15, 2009. Cheques payable to KW Symphony
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Youth Sinfonia
Intermediate Level String Ensemble
Provides instruction for string players with some ensemble experience playing at or above Grade 5
RCM or Suzuki Book IV.
Rehearsals:
Wednesdays, 6:30 – 8:00 pm at The Centre in the Square (The Studio) from September 17, 2008 until April 22, 2009.
The activities also include performances in Waterloo region schools during the 2nd half of a school day; the date TBA.
Conductor: Julie Baumgartel.
Audition Requirements:
Prepare the selected excerpts available for pick up at The Stage Door of The Centre in the Square (mailed on request) and
one piece of your own choosing (the selection must involve shifting). No accompanists are required or allowed at the auditions.
The Sinfonia repertoire will include Serenata Notturna by W.A. Mozart. The composition features parts for solo string
quartet. Preformed groups are asked to prepare one movement to audition. Please, contact the YOP Coordinator for details bkaplanek@kwsymphony.on.ca
Auditions are scheduled for Wednesday, September 10, 2008 at Wilfrid Laurier University, Music Department.
The YOP Coordinator will contact you with the audition time after the application has been received.
Fee:
$395 Due at the first rehearsal (September 17) along with membership form (distributed at the auditions).
Half of the fee may be in the form of postdated cheque for January 15, 2009. Cheques payable to KW Symphony
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Youth Orchestra
Advanced Level Symphony Orchestra
Provides the thrilling experience of rehearsing and performing the wide variety of symphonic masterpieces. In addition
to the weekly rehearsals, sectionals coached by KWS musicians, retreats, chamber music program, 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, the candidates 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).
Rehearsals:
Sundays, 1:00 to 3:30 p.m. at Wilfrid Laurier University, Music Department, from September 14, 2008 until April 19, 09.
Conductor: Paul Pulford.
Audition Requirements:
Prepare the selected excerpts available for pick up at The Stage Door of The Centre in the Square (mailed on request).
Auditions are scheduled at Wilfrid Laurier University, Music Department for the following dates:
• STRINGS: September 5 and 6, 2008
• WINDS/BRASS/PERCUSSION: September 6 (afternoon), 2008
The YOP Coordinator will contact you with the audition time after the application has been received.
Fee:
$435 Due at the first rehearsal (September 14) along with membership form (distributed at the auditions). Half
of the fee may be in the form of postdated cheque for January 15, 2009. Cheques payable to KW Symphony
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Valhalla Brass
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. The candidates may audition to for Valhalla Brass exclusively or combined with YO. Applicants should play at or above Grade 6 RCM.
Rehearsals:
Sundays, 3:30 - 4:30pm at Wilfrid Laurier University, Music Department, from September 14, 2008 to April 19, 2009.
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 Youth Orchestra, you will not need to re-audition for the Valhalla Brass. No accompanists are required
or allowed for the auditions. Auditions are scheduled for September 6 (afternoon) 2008 at Wilfrid Laurier University,
Music Department.
The YOP Coordinator will contact you with the audition time after the application has been received.
Fee:
$295 Due at the first rehearsal (September 14) along with membership form (distributed at the auditions).
Half of the fee may be in the form of postdated cheque for January 15, 2009. Cheques payable to KW Symphony
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Chamber Music Program
Available For All Levels
This program provides chamber music coaching with KWS musicians for candidates for small ensembles (trios, quartets,
etc.).
The instruction will focus on leadership and abilities to follow, teamwork, active listening and exploring a
wide range of chamber music repertoire.
The main Chamber Music Concert is scheduled for March 28 preceding the YOP
concert; other opportunities will include outreach events and CITS lobby performances. The Chamber Music Program
registration form will be distributed at the auditions.
Fee:
$15 per participant, per session.
Cheques payable to KW Symphony (submitted at the commencement of this program; the number of sessions TBD).
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Awards and Scholarships:
Awards and scholarships totaling nearly $8000 will be distributed among members of the four ensembles at the last concert of the season.
KWS Youth Orchestra Program Concert Season
The KWS Youth Orchestra Program invites you to our four major concerts of the 2008-09 season:
Saturday, December 6, 2008
February 14, 2009
Saturday, March 28, 2009
Saturday, April 25, 2009
All concerts are held in the Raffi Armenian Theatre of The Centre In The Square beginning at 2:00 pm. The General Admission Subscriptions to all 4 concerts are priced at $30 for Adults and Seniors, $25 for Youth/Child. Call the box office 578-1570 or order on line HERE.
The four ensembles of the YOP perform at many community outreach events.
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Contact Us
Barb Kaplanek
Youth Orchestra Program Coordinator
Phone: 519.745.4711, ext. 390
Fax: 519.745.4474
Email: bkaplanek@kwsymphony.on.ca
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