The North Olympic Youth Symphonies will begin their twentieth season on Monday, September 14, with an orientation meeting for all parents, members and prospective members. All parents and students who are interested in being a part of this season should attend. The meeting will be held in the Stevens Middle School library from 5pm to 6pm. The rehearsal and performance schedule for the season will be passed out at this important meeting. Orchestra assignments will be announced, shirts will be passed out, rules and policies discussed and questions answered.

The North Olympic Youth Symphonies is a family of four orchestras designed for the young musician who wants something in addition to the public school program. The Honor Orchestra (strings only) orchestra designed for the motivated student who has played at least one year. The Junior Youth Orchestra (full - strings, winds and percussion) is for more advanced string players. Membership is by approval of the director.

The Youth Orchestra (full - strings, winds and percussion) and String Symphony (strings only) are the most advanced groups. Membership in these orchestras are by audition only. Open auditions will be at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, 301 Lopez August 31 through 4 September from 11am to noon. Other times may be arranged by calling 452-3008. All auditions must take place by the September 5. There is a required excerpt for each instrument. In addition some scales and sight-reading is required. For more information call 452-3008.

Rehearsals for all four groups are on Mondays at Stevens Middle School in Port Angeles. The Honor Orchestra rehearses from 4pm to 5pm. Junior Youth rehearses from 5pm to 6:15pm. Youth Orchestra rehearses from 4pm to 5pm. String Symphony rehearses from 5 to 6:15pm.

The quality of musicianship in the Honor and Jr. Youth Orchestras over the past two years has made it clear that it's time to re-evaluate the Youth Symphony. We have some very fine players coming up this year! All members wishing to play in the Youth Symphony will need to audition this year. In addition we will have regular rehearsals for a new strings only orchestra at the top level.

There are three regular concerts during the season (November 10, February 9 and April 20). In addition the Youth Orchestra has one performance with the Port Angeles Symphony Orchestra.. Last year we were asked to play for the Juan de Fuca Arts Festival. We hope to be asked to return. If this happens then we will form a combined orchestra (that worked very well for us last year) for that event.

Evelyn Tobin has set up a scholarship fund to help NOYS members with private lessons. Any member in good standing and at least one year experience with NOYS may apply. For returning members to be in good standing you need to have turned in your music and shirt by June 1, 1998, have taken care of your last year's dues and maintained attendance requirements at rehearsals and concerts last year. You need only check the "Tobin Scholarship requested" box on the application form to request a scholarship. All scholarship funds come from outside sources. All scholarships are awarded based on length of time the student has been a member of NOYS and on the amount of past scholarships awarded. Financial need may become part of the equation of you tell us about it, but we will not ask. The NOYS also has a small inventory of stringed instruments for loan. They are mostly smaller violins. If you are a member in good standing and wish to borrow one just let us know.

Port Angeles is a community with a remarkably strong music program. The foundation of this program is the support it receives in the public schools. NOYS is a supplement to this program, not a substitute. We assume that all members of NOYS participate in their school program too. This is the only way it will work. Rehearsing just one day a week cannot replace the daily contact the school program offers. Students who do not participate in their school program do not keep up. The best possible combination is the public school program, private lessons and participation in NOYS. This is what we recommend.

Please get your applications in a soon as possible. It is important in the planing of music for the first concert to know what the instrumentation for the groups will be. This is especially true for the Youth Orchestra and String Symphony.

North Olympic Youth Symphonies

Application

Name _________________________________________

Address _______________________________________

_______________________________________________

Phone Number ______________________

Instrument _______________________ Grade __________

How long have you played? ________________

We like to recognize the private teachers that work with our members. Please give us the name and address of your private teacher:

Tobin Lesson Scholarship requested ___

We often post notices with OPEN (Olympic Peninsula Electronic Network). If you have an account with OPEN and wish us to add your account to our mailing list (so you receive a personal notice sent to you) please give us the name on your account, (or we can e-mail you the information if you give us your e-mail address):

Please send this application to:

NOYS
509 S. Chambers
Port Angeles, Wash 98362