Fidalgo Youth Symphony

FYS Policies

Home Announcements!Calendar Policies Staff / Contact Us How to Help Photo Gallery How to Join Endangered Instruments Friends of FYS ** DONATE NOW! Official PayPal Seal

Mission statement: "Teach values of teamwork and excellence through musical training, enabling talented young musicians to advance in musical performance."


 

Mission Statement

"Teach values of teamwork and excellence through musical training, enabling talented young musicians to advance in musical performance."

Click on a topic


Tuition-Please inquire to president@fysmusic.org to pay tuition through Paypal.

Tuition prices are still one of the lowest in Washington!

  • $375 for full season junior or youth symphony

  • Full season sibling: $365


  • - Two payment plan - $187.50 each( Sept.8th and Jan.7th)
    - Monthy payments - Nine payments of $45.(Those making monthly payments will receive a coupon booklet and should include the correct coupon with their payment. Thank you for your consideration.)

  • Sinfonette is $295 for full season

  • Tuition Discount
    - Pay in full by September 8th - $365
    - Additional siblings for only $365

Placement/registration

All members are required to register. New members and those returning members wishing to move from junior into youth should schedule an interview with Sharyn to be placed in either Youth or Junior. You may schedule your placement interview by contacting Mrs Hobson: president@fysmusic.org or call 360-293-8180. Please bring instrument, registration form and tuition payment to appointment.

Where:Salem Lutheran Church, 2529 N.Laventure Rd, Mount Vernon.  Directions: Take exit 227 off I-5, go east on College Way and at Laventure Rd turn left.  Travel approximately 1/2 mile to Hoag Rd and turn left. The church is on the corner of Hoag and Laventure.

When: Sept. 8th 5:30pm to 8:30pm
>>New members welcome!
- Placement interview for new members, or those wishing to step up from Junior to Youth.   Contact Mrs. Hobson for an appointment at president@fysmusic.org or 360-293-8180

>>Rehearsals: thursday evenings
  Sinfonette-5:30-6:30, Junior Symphony-5:30-7:00, Youth Symphony-6:30-8:30
  (Juniors and Youth rehearse together from 6:30-7:00 for festival piece)

Placement Requirements:
-Strings -Youth- one major and one minor scale of your choice, three octaves
    -short 2-minute solo of your most advanced piece
    -brief sight-reading
-Strings-Junior-same as Youth except  two octaves of scales

-Winds
    -same as strings, but include a chromatic scale
-Sinfonette
    -no audition required

Section Leaders and Principals Click on link to view pdf file outlining duties and responsibilities of section leaders and principals.

Rehearsal Attendance

Every musician plays an important role in achieving artistic success. Orchestra members depend upon each other, not only at the concert, but at every rehearsal. It is only fair to expect a high level of team effort in maintaining the orchestra upward progress.

Weekly rehearsals begin September 16th and are held every Thursday during the academic year.

WHERE: Salem Lutheran Church, 2529 N.Laventure Rd, Mount Vernon

WHEN: Thursday evenings:

- Sinfonette 5:30 - 6:30pm
- Junior Symphony 5:30 - 7:00 PM
- Youth Symphony 6:30 - 8:30 PM
 

Attendance at all rehearsals is required. Arrive to rehearsal early enough to warm your instrument up and tune.

Absences: It is of utmost importance to communicate concerning absences, to facilitate specially scheduled sectionals. (This is only normal courtesy to our supplemental professional instructors.)

  • Only three absences, per term are allowed with prior noticeAbsences granted for illness or school related activities. FYS supports and encourages students participation in school events, especially music!

  • Notify Mrs.Hobson 360-293-8180 or president@fysmusic.org as early as possible before the anticipated absence.

  • After three absences it will be at the discretion of our director, Mrs.Peterson, the decision of allowing participation in the current concert performance.

(top)

Music

FYS owns a modest library of symphonic works. We also rent and borrow music. Each year we add to our music library.

Music is issued to students at the beginning of each concert session. Taking care of your music is very important. You are responsible for music assigned to you. A replacement cost may be charged for lost or damaged music. Please take care of your music. Use only black pencil ( no pen, highlighter, or red pencil. )

TURN IN YOUR MUSIC AFTER THE LAST PERFORMANCE PER CONCERT SESSION

(top)

Practice and Preparation

All students are expected to come to rehearsals prepared, with their music and instruments in order. It is necessary to spend time practicing for rehearsals since this music is challenging, and needs both individual and group preparation. By fourth rehearsal the student should be able to correctly play all the notes and rhythm in their parts. This will enable our orchestra rehearsal to focus on ensemble precision and interpretation. It is expected that each student will practice their FYS music and that there will be an audible improvement in the part each week.(top)

Concert Dress

FYS maintains a dress code for concert performances because a simple, integrated visual appearance promotes the image of the orchestra as a team. Musicians should arrive in their concert attire ready for pre-concert rehearsal. This will ensure extra practice time and a smooth transition to actual performance. Musicians who are not dressed appropriately will be required to change into something provided by the board of directors. (top)

Junior Symphony and Sinfonette

Ladies: White long sleeved or 3/4 sleeve blouse, ankle or full length black skirt or full length dress slacks; black shoes and stockings. Please no sparkles or jewelry.

Gentlemen: White long sleeved shirt, black bow tie, black trousers, black shoes and  socks.

Youth Symphony

Ladies: Long black dress or  long sleeved or 3/4 length sleeve(not sleevless)black blouse and long or ankle length black skirt or dress slacks, black shoes and stockings. Please no sparkles or jewelry.

Gentlemen: Black jacket and slacks, black bow tie, White long sleeved shirt, black  shoes and socks.

Symphony Etiquette
Code Of Conduct:
      Any musician who exhibits inappropriate behavior at FYS rehearsals, concerts, or activities jeopardizes their good standing in the orchestra.  Examples include, but are not limited to, disrespect toward other musicians or adults, verbal or physical threats towards others, horseplay, inappropriate physical conduct with others, inappropriate language, or any other behavior that undermines the integrity of the symphony. Inappropriate conduct may result in immediate forfeiture of membership in the symphony. Final determination regarding dismissal will be made by the Artistic Director and FYS President.
      Fidalgo Youth Symphony maintains a drug free environment and any drug use by a member will not be tolerated resulting in dismissal from the program. The FYS artistic director, staff, and board of directors are committed to providing musical experiences in a safe, wholesome environment for all students.

Rehearsal Behavior

1.      Walk (not run) in the halls, and respect the facility, leaving each room as you found it.

2.      Play ONLY your own instrument during breaks and rehearsals.

3.      Food and drink are not permitted in rehearsal space.

4.      Brass instruments please make arrangements to empty spit valves onto paper or other appropriate receptacle.

5.      Avoid conversing during rehearsal-stay focused on the task at hand.

6.      Avoid foot-tapping.

7.      Prepare sections of your music each week, with a plan to have all of the notes and rhythms mastered well in advance of the concerts.

8.      Arrive early enough to be ready to play at the start time. Lateness is very disruptive and does a disservice to you and your colleagues.

9.      Rehearsals are intended to establish group unity in musical expression, not teach the individual notes. This is your challenge during the week-take the part to your private teachers!

(top)

Performance Behavior

Seating:  All students will sit in the front rows of the audience when they are not performing.  The exception will be that the Junior Symphony will be on deck (waiting in the wings) while the Sinfonette performs.

1.      Warm up with full and strong tone, not tentatively.

2.      Keep posture excellent-spine straight, legs uncrossed.

3.      Ladies-no short skirts. Wear a long skirt-it looks much more elegant and professional.

4.      Everyone must wear black stockings and shoes for a unified appearance on stage.

5.      Jewelry should not be distracting, visually or audibly.

6.      For the Conductor's first entrance, stand together at attention and wait to be seated.

7.      During a solo section, don't move unnecessarily-it distracts.

8.      Never talk to your neighbor during a concert!

9.      Control your facial expressions-they are dismayingly obvious and distracting to the audience!     Never acknowledge mistakes physically.

10.  At the end of the piece, remain seated until signaled to stand, and smile when applauded, no matter how you feel you performed!

11.  Congratulate yourself for the hundreds of notes you played right, and do not berate yourself for the few you missed! Have fun sharing great masterpieces with your family and friends!

(top)


 

 

 

 

Registration Form

 

 

 

 

 

 

     
contact webmaster
Updated October 25, 2010