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Friends of FYS **
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Mission statement: "Teach values of teamwork and excellence through musical training, enabling talented young musicians to advance in musical performance."
"Teach values of teamwork and excellence through musical training, enabling talented young musicians to advance in musical performance."
Feel the passion!
Tuition (tuition prices same as 2006/07 season!)
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$325 for full season symphony
- Two payment plan ($162.50 * 2)
- Monthy payments - Nine payments of $40. (payable through PayPal)
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Cost savings options
- Pay in full by September 15 - $295 - save 9%
- Additional siblings for only $295
All members are required to register. New members must audition with Sharyn to be placed in either Youth or Junior. Please bring full payment to the registration/rehearsal to ensure you get the 9% discount. Download registration form here (pdf).
Where: Sharyn Petersons studio “PIMS”, located at 100 E. Montgomery St. in Mount Vernon. Sharyn’s studio is easy to find located near the Mount Vernon train station. On the 2nd floor of the Granary building, look for the large red “PIMS” sign.
When:
>> September 4, 2008 - 5:30 PM - Auditions for new members, or those wishing to step up from Junior to Youth. Call Sharyn for an appointment.
>> September 11, 2008 - 5:30 PM - First rehearsal and registration for returning members
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 in September and are held every Thursday during the academic year.
WHERE: at Sharyn Peterson's PIMS studio in old town Mount Vernon (100 E. Montgomery St. in Mount Vernon, near the Mount Vernon train station.)
WHEN: Thursday evenings:
- 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.)
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Only three absences, per term are allowed with prior notice.
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Notify the director as early as possible before the anticipated absence.
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When the fourth absence occurs, participation in the upcoming concert is at the discretion of the conductor.
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Continued absences will result in being dropped from roles.
FYS owns a modest library of orchestra 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 will be charged for lost or damaged music. The cost will be $1.00 - $3.00 per piece required to obtain replacement. If all music was lost, the replacement cost would be $15.00. Please take care of your music. Use only black pencil ( no pen, highlighter, or red pencil. )
Practice and PreparationTURN IN YOUR MUSIC AFTER THE LAST PERFORMANCE PER CONCERT SESSION
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 DressFYS maintains a dress code for concert performances because a simple, integrated visual appearance promotes the image of the orchestra as a team.(top)
Junior Orchestra
Ladies: White long sleeved blouse, ankle length black skirt or dress slacks; black Shoes and stockings.
Gentlemen: White long sleeved shirt, black bow tie, black trousers, black shoes and socks.
Youth Orchestra
Orchestra EtiquetteLadies: Black long sleeved blouse, ankle length black skirt or dress slacks, black shoes and stockings.
Gentlemen: Black jacket and slacks, black bow tie, White long sleeved shirt, black shoes and socks.
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!
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!
Click here to download a registration form for 2008/09 season!
NEW - On-line payments with PayPal! Click here.