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Youth Orchestras

Download a Youth Orchestras Application for Membership

Download a Youth Orchestras 2011-2012 Brochure

Be Inspired! Be Moved! Be Transformed!

Thousands of young musicians throughout the Northland have found inspiration in the Duluth Superior Symphony Orchestra’s Youth Orchestras for more than sixty-five years! Members are chosen from among the finest musicians within a one-hundred mile radius of the Twin Ports through annual competitive auditions. Students accepted in the Youth Orchestras Program develop their music skills through a variety of experiences with the DSSO’s conducting staff and DSSO members in rehearsals, sectionals, and side-by-side performances.

The DSSO’s three training orchestras include the Youth Symphony, the Concert Orchestra and the Sinfonia. The Sinfonia is a string orchestra, while both the Youth Symphony and Concert Orchestra are full symphonic orchestras which include woodwinds, brass, percussion and strings. Acceptance and placement into each orchestra will be based on audition results. Students will be placed according to proficiency level and musical and artistic ability.

Should I audition?

If you are a dedicated musician between the ages of 10 through 18 and enjoy performing quality music at a high level, you are strongly encouraged to apply. The DSSO Youth Orchestras can help you to become the best musician you can be.

New this year—Youth Orchestra Percussion Ensemble

We are extremely excited to announce the formation of a new DSSO Youth Percussion Ensemble Program. The ensemble will function as a component of the overall Youth Orchestra programs. The students will split their rehearsal time with the Youth Orchestras and Percussion Ensemble evenly. Jeremy Craycraft, Assistant Professor of Percussion at the College of St. Scholastica will direct this new program. We are looking forward to advancing percussion education and performance in our region through this new offering.

Percussionists should prepare materials that demonstrate their skill on snare drum and/or mallet instruments. Students may be asked to sight-read on these instruments and Timpani during the auditions.

The Youth Orchestra Percussion Ensemble will provide students with an opportunity to explore some of the more diverse realms of music making. We will perform a wide variety of styles that are influenced by classical, jazz, and popular music genres. In addition, we will present art music that is influenced by the wealth of world music cultures.

We will play both traditional and contemporary compositions that require technical facility and constant attention to musicality. Most of our performances will involve pieces that are specifically written for percussion ensemble, but transcriptions are sometimes chosen for the sake of musical and educational value. The accessibility and variety inherent within the percussion ensemble genre allows us this freedom. Whenever possible, we will perform without a conductor to encourage the truest nature of chamber music.

I've decided to audition; what next?

Email Kevin Hoeschen and include your instrument, phone number, email address and grade level (Fall 2011). Indicate your first and second choices for an audition time. If you have questions, call the DSSO office at 218-623-3772.

Auditions are eight minutes in length. You should prepare a solo of up to five minutes in length that demonstrates your playing ability. Please work with your school teacher and private teacher (if you have one) to choose and properly prepare an appropriate solo for audition. You will also be asked to do some brief sight-reading. Percussionists should bring a snare drum and sticks, bells and mallets, and be prepared to play a solo on each.

Audition schedule for 2011-2012 season

The following instruments will be heard at these times:

Friday, June 10, 2011, 4:00pm–9:00pm
• All levels Woodwinds & Brass
• Strings who were Youth Symphony members 2010-2011

Saturday, June 11, 2011, 9:00am–5:00pm
• All levels Woodwinds & Brass
• Strings who were Youth Symphony members 2010-2011

Sunday, June 12, 2011, 12:00pm–6:00pm
• All levels Woodwinds & Brass
• Strings who were Youth Symphony members 2010-2011

Monday, June 13, 2011, 4:00pm–9:00pm
• Strings (all levels)

Tuesday, June 14, 2011, 4:00pm–9:00pm
• Woodwinds, Brass, & Percussion (all levels)

Wednesday, June 15, 2011, 4:00pm–9:00pm
• Strings (all levels)

Thursday, June 16, 2011, 4:00pm–9:00pm
• Strings (all levels), percussion

Thursday, June 23, 2011, 4:00pm–9:00pm
• All instruments

How will I learn if I've been accepted?

You will be notified by mail during the month of July. Weekly rehearsals will be held Monday evenings under the direction of the DSSO's conducting staff. The Youth Symphony and the Concert Orchestra rehearse at the College of St. Scholastica. The Sinfonia rehearses at the First United Methodist Church ("The Coppertop Church") in Duluth. Youth Symphony members will begin rehearsal at the Fall Retreat September 9–11. Concert Orchestra and Sinfonia members will begin rehearsal on Monday, September 12.

Youth Orchestras concerts during 2011-2012 season

The Youth Orchestras present a Fall Concert (November 20), a Lollipop Concert (February 12) for children, and a Spring Concert (May 20). All concerts are held at 3:00pm at the Duluth Entertainment Convention Center (DECC).

More benefits!

Members of the Youth Orchestras receive two free tickets to each classical concert of the DSSO.

How much will it cost?

Annual tuition for the 2011-2012 season is $200. Musicians who reside 50 or more miles from Duluth or are unable to pay tuition may request tuition assistance upon written request to the Executive Director of the DSSO. These requests must be received by August 1, 2011.

Tuition and fees must be paid in full by Monday, September 12, 2011.