The Chautauqua Regional Youth Symphony board has made some changes to offer a more enriching experience for their students.
Maestro Bryan Eckenrode has been symphony's music director and conductor since 2003. Under his leadership, students have learning opportunities that are unique in the Chautauqua area.
During this 26th season, students in CRYS's three orchestras - Prelude Strings for beginning string musicians, Young Artists Orchestra for intermediate musicians and the Youth Symphony for highly talented and motivated musicians ages 13 through college - will be doing more performances as ensembles in the community. The first of these, featuring the Youth Symphony string players, will be at 7 p.m. Friday, Dec. 7, at the Chautauqua Mall.
Article Photos
At their recent meeting, Chautauqua Regional Youth Symphony board members sent letters to local individuals and businesses requesting their support for the symphony’s 2012-13 season. Working on the mailing are, seated from left, Lana Huston, Anne Dolce, Kathy Geary and Michelle Carlson. Standing, from left, are Katie Derrenbacher, Megan Volpe, and Julia Herman, symphony manager.
A holiday flavor will highlight the Chamber Concert by the Youth Symphony string players on Saturday, Dec. 8, at 7 p.m. at Ss. Peter and Paul Church, 508 Cherry St., Jamestown.
Rehearsals for all three orchestras begin right after the holidays, with Prelude at Lutheran on Friday afternoons and the Youth Symphony and YAO at the Reg Lenna Civic Center in downtown Jamestown on Saturday mornings.
In March, CRYS students will travel to hear the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra accompany a presentation of The Wizard of Oz in Pittsburgh's Heinz Hall and to meet some of the musicians.
In mid-April, the Youth Symphony will have a weekend of intensive coaching and rehearsals at Chautauqua Institution. The annual Spring Gala in May will feature two professional musician/educators who will rehearse and perform with the orchestras.
CRYS students pay tuition, but no one is turned away for inability to pay. The symphony receives essential funding from foundations and other organizations in the community. While parents, board members and students all participate in fund raising, support by individuals and local businesses is critical to the symphony's survival.
At their recent meeting, board members sent letters to local individuals and businesses requesting their support for the symphony's 2012-13 season.
Among the ways the Youth Symphony expresses appreciation to its contributors is by recognition on its website and in printed concert programs and through complimentary admissions to the Spring Gala Concert on May 5, in the Reg Lenna Civic Center.
Tax-deductible contributions to the Chautauqua Regional Youth Symphony can be mailed to P.O. Box 3454, Jamestown, NY 14702.
For more information about CRYS and its programs for young musicians, call 664-2465, ext. 202, or visit CRYouthSymphony.com.
Organizations that would like to have an ensemble from the symphony perform can call 664-2465, ext. 202, or email CRYSymphony@mac.com.