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Youth Orchestra Program

From its beginnings in 1966 with the Kitchener-Waterloo Junior Symphony, the KWS Youth Orchestra Program (YOP) has grown into a nationally recognized orchestral training program for young musicians. Today, the YOP consists of four orchestras in progressive levels: Preludium Strings (introductory ensemble), Youth Strings (junior ensemble), Youth Sinfonia (intermediate strings) and the Youth Orchestra (senior level, full orchestra). In addition, the YOP includes a large brass ensemble, the Valhalla Brass, and runs a comprehensive Chamber Music Program under the tutelage of the Bremen String Quartet.
The KWS Youth Orchestra Program offers weekly rehearsals, sectionals coached by KWS musicians, retreats, chamber music training, specialized sessions with guest coaches, community outreach performances, side-by-side performances with other YOP ensembles and with the KWS, concerts by all large ensembles and chamber music ensembles, collaborates with other performing arts organizations, and three major concerts per season in Raffi Armenian Theatre of The Centre in the Square. The KWS YOP also provides musical field trip, “Youth Orchestra Night @ the KW Symphony”, a concerto competition, and music workshops.

Click here for more details about each concert program and to order tickets.
The KWS Youth Orchestra Program invites you to our three major concerts of the 2011-12 season: December 3, 2011,  February 11 (held at the Conrad Centre) and April 14, 2012.
Two of the three concerts are held in the Raffi Armenian Theatre of The Centre In The Square.  All concerts begin at 2:00 pm (except Feb. 11, which is split into 11:00am for the younger ensembles and 2:00pm for the senior ensembles). The General Admission Subscriptions to all 3 concerts are priced at $30 for Adults and Seniors, $27 for Youth/Child, and $108 Family Subscription (2 Adults with 2 Children). Call our patron services office at 519.745.4711 or order online.
The YOP ensembles also perform at community outreach events throughout the year.

2012-13 Application Form is online now!
NEW: auditions will be held in late spring, 2012. All KWS Youth Orchestra Program candidates need to complete and submit an application form that will be available on this webpage. Returning members of Youth Strings and Youth Sinfonia are not required to re-audition but are requested to prepare the selected excerpts for seating placement. New candidates for the Youth Strings and Youth Sinfonia can audition this spring. All Youth Orchestra candidates (returning and new) must audition in the spring. There is a brief entrance playing session for candidates for the entry-level string ensemble, Preludium Strings.

Entry Level String Ensemble
Provides an introduction to orchestral performance for string players reading and playing at or above Grade 1 RCM (late pieces) or Suzuki Book I (late pieces). Please note that music-reading is a requirement. The provided RCM / Suzuki playing levels are suggested guidelines only.
Rehearsals: Tuesdays, 5:15 to 6:15 pm; September through April, Conrad Centre for the Performing  Arts, 36 King St W, Kitchener
Conductor:  TBA
Audition Requirements:
Qualified candidates are required to submit an application form (download HERE). There will be a "mini audition" for all new Preludium Strings candidates on Thursday, June 7, starting at 4:30 pm. Excerpts are available now for pick up at the Conrad Centre (inside the main doors) or by email: bkaplanek@kwsymphony.on.ca.

All returning Preludium Strings can attend the first rehearsal in September without audition.
Fee:
Fees for 2012-13 are $310. Half of the fee may be in the form of a postdated cheque for January 15, 2013. There will be online payment options soon, or cheques made payable to KW Symphony. Each additional YOP member from the same family is entitled to $60 discount off a regular registration fee.

Bursaries:

The KWS is offering partial and full bursaries to families demonstrating need. A simple application form will be online soon.

Intermediate Level String Ensemble
Provides orchestral performance instruction for string players with some ensemble experience, reading and playing at or above Grade 3 RCM or Suzuki Book III. The provided RCM / Suzuki playing levels are suggested guidelines only.
Rehearsals: Tuesdays, 5:30 to 7:00 pm. September through April, Conrad Centre for the Performing  Arts, 36 King St W, Kitchener
Conductor: Angela Cox-Daly
Audition Requirements:
Qualified candidates are required to submit an application form (download HERE). Excerpts are available now for pick up at the Conrad Centre (inside the main doors) or by email: bkaplanek@kwsymphony.on.ca. Auditions will be held Thursday, May 31, starting at 4:30 pm at the Conrad Centre for the Performing Arts. Returning Youth Strings members will prepare the same excerpts for a section seating placement audition on Thursday, May 31, starting at 6:00 pm.
Fee:
Fees for 2012-13 are $410. Half of the fee may be in the form of a postdated cheque for January 15, 2013. There will be online payment options soon, or cheques made payable to KW Symphony. Each additional YOP member from the same family is entitled to $60 discount off a regular registration fee.

Bursaries:

The KWS is offering partial and full bursaries to families demonstrating need. A simple application form will be online soon.

Advanced Level String Ensemble
Provides instruction for string players with some ensemble experience playing at or above Grade 6 RCM or Suzuki Book V. The provided RCM / Suzuki playing levels are suggested guidelines only.
Rehearsals:
Wednesdays, 5:30 – 7:00 pm (NEW), September through April, Conrad Centre for the Performing  Arts, 36 King St W Kitchener
Conductor: Allene Chomyn
Audition Requirements:
Qualified candidates are required to submit an application form (download HERE). Excerpts are available now for pick up at the Conrad Centre (inside the main doors) or by email: bkaplanek@kwsymphony.on.ca.
Auditions for new candidates will be held Wednesday, May 30, starting at 4:30 pm at the Conrad Centre for the Performing Arts.  The YOP Coordinator will contact you with an audition time after the application has been received.
Returning Sinfonia members will prepare the same excerpts for a section seating placement audition on Wednesday, May 30, starting at 6:00 pm.
Fee:
Fees for 2012-13 are $410. Half of the fee may be in the form of a postdated cheque for January 15, 2013. There will be online payment options soon, or cheques made payable to KW Symphony. Each additional YOP member from the same family is entitled to $60 discount off a regular registration fee.

Bursaries:

The KWS is offering partial and full bursaries to families demonstrating need. A simple application form will be online soon.

Youth Orchestra (KWSYO)

Advanced Level Full Symphony Orchestra
Provides the thrilling experience of rehearsing and performing a wide variety of symphonic masterpieces. In addition to the weekly rehearsals, sectionals coached by KWS musicians, retreats, 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, Youth Orchestra members 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). The provided RCM / Suzuki playing levels are suggested guidelines only.
Highlights of the 2011-12 season: We are pleased to announce the appointment of Evan Mitchell as the KWS Assistant Conductor. Evan conducts the KWSYO as one of his duties.
Rehearsals:
Sundays, 1:00 to 3:30 pm, September through April, Wilfrid Laurier University, Faculty of Music.
Conductor: Evan Mitchell
Audition Requirements:
Qualified candidates are required to submit an application form (download HERE). Excerpts are available now for pick up at the Conrad Centre (inside the main doors) or by email: bkaplanek@kwsymphony.on.ca.
Auditions for new and returning candidates will be held at the Conrad Centre as follows:

• Strings: Monday, May 28, and Tuesday, May 29, starting at 4:30 pm
• Winds, Brass, Percussion: Wednesday, June 6, starting at 4:30 pm

The YOP Coordinator will contact you with an audition time after the application has been received.
Fee:
Fees for 2012-13 are $460. Half of the fee may be in the form of a postdated cheque for January 15, 2013. There will be online payment options soon, or cheques made payable to KW Symphony. Each additional YOP member from the same family is entitled to $60 discount off a regular registration fee.

Bursaries:

The KWS is offering partial and full bursaries to families demonstrating need. A simple application form will be online soon.

Intermediate to Advanced Level Concert Band
We are very pleased to introduce this NEW ensemble in 2012-13. The Youth Concert Band combines winds, brass and percussion under the direction of our resident band expert, Trevor Wagler. Applicants should have a minimum of two years of playing experience on their instrument. Candidates may audition for the Youth Concert Band exclusively or also audition for Youth Orchestra.
Rehearsals:
Sundays, 3:30 - 5:00 pm, September through April,  Wilfrid Laurier University, Faculty of Music.
Conductor: Trevor Wagler
Audition Requirements:
Qualified candidates are required to submit an application form (download HERE). Winds, Brass, Percussion will audition on Wednesday, June 6, starting at 4:30 pm. Please prepare the following:

• play a scale that demonstrates the lowest and highest notes you can produce, in any articulation of your choosing, at a moderate tempo
• play one short piece (or excerpt of a longer work of your choosing) that represents your current level
• play some short excerpts for your instrument (please email bkaplanek@kwsymphony.on.ca for the excerpts)

If you audition for the Youth Orchestra, you will not need to re-audition for the Youth Concert Band. No accompanists are permitted for the auditions.
The YOP Coordinator will contact you with an audition time after the application has been received.
Fee:
Fees for 2012-13 are $310. Half of the fee may be in the form of a postdated cheque for January 15, 2013. There will be online payment options soon, or cheques made payable to KW Symphony. Each additional YOP member from the same family is entitled to $60 discount off a regular registration fee.

Bursaries:

The KWS is offering partial and full bursaries to families demonstrating need. A simple application form will be online soon.

Available For Youth Strings, Youth Sinfonia and Youth Orchestra string players
The YOP Chamber Music Program (CMP) provides chamber music instruction for all instrumentalists. Existing and new groups are welcome, as well as individual candidates who based on availability will be organized in ensembles (trios, quartets, etc.).
Training is provided by the distinguished members of the Bremen String Quartet (bremenstringquartet.com) who provide instruction focusing on leadership and abilities to follow, teamwork and active listening. The exploration of a wide range of chamber music repertoire is encouraged.  This program provides a fun and challenging way to create music, hone skills and expand performance opportunities.
The CMP concert will be scheduled towards the end of the season; other opportunities will include outreach events and CITS lobby performances.

Fee:
$15 per participant, per hour-long coaching session. Cheques payable to KW Symphony (submitted at the commencement of this program; the number of sessions TBD).

The KWS Volunteer Committee distributes thousands of dollars in awards and scholarships to deserving members of the five YOP ensembles and Chamber Music Program participants at the end of the season. The KWS also offers bursaries based on financial need.

Click here to learn more about the Kitchener-Waterloo Symphony Volunteer Committee Scholarships for Youth Orchestra.

Barb Kaplanek
Youth Orchestra Program Coordinator
Phone: 519.745.4711, x 390
Fax: 519.745.4474
Email: bkaplanek@kwsymphony.on.ca