Youth Orchestra

History
The Santa Rosa Symphony Youth Orchestra is among the oldest orchestras of its kind in California and has performed in Carnegie Hall, Davies Symphony Hall, and toured in Germany and the Czech Republic. Members typically have more performing opportunities than students in the Preparatory and Repertory Orchestras and must be committed to a strict routine of rehearsals, private lessons, and at-home practice. Music performed is from the standard symphonic orchestral repertoire. Members are typically ages 14-23.

Formed in October 1959 as the Sonoma County Junior Symphony under the direction of founding conductor, Eugene Shepherd, the orchestra's name was changed in 1994 to the Santa Rosa Symphony Youth Orchestra and is currently led by Dr. Richard Loheyde. The Youth Orchestra has helped prepare those musicians who pursued a professional music career with numerous professional ensembles throughout California, including the Santa Rosa Symphony, San Francisco Symphony, Philharmonia Baroque Orchestra, San Francisco Opera Orchestra, American Bach Soloists, Oakland Symphony, Musica Angelica, Sacramento Symphony and Napa Valley Symphony.

Upcoming Events

Youth Orchestra & Young People’s Chamber Orchestra Winter Concert Sunday, March 4, 3pm Jackson Theater, Sonoma Country Day School

Young People’s Chamber Orchestra & Youth Orchestra Brass Concert Sunday, March 11, 2pm Performance on the Oakmont Concert Series

Youth Orchestra Spring Concert
Sunday, May 20, 3pm
Jackson Theater, Sonoma Country Day School

Youth Orchestra

Violin 1 Scotland Bonnie, co-principal Thérèse Brown, co-principal Alejandro Gracia-Zhang Victoria Lam Caroline Chu Peter Duranceau Erik Satterlee Daniel Pride Kyle Craft Violin 2 Felix Herbst, principal Samantha Perry Sophia Conti Elizabeth Brown Emily Chu Mitra Kukic Nathan Yi Noah Barto Lily Max Viola Erik Fauss, principal Janice Park Jone Bačinskaitè Rachel Pride Cello Jason Fauss, principal Anwen Lin Kate Trapnell Tacey Hicks Double Bass Sam Bright-Thonney, principal Nolan Center Flute Marissa Zieminski, principal Hannah Dyslin Julianna Basile Alyssa Cunningham

Oboe Claire Engan, principal Sarah Williams English Horn Sarah Williams Clarinet Tiffany Wei, principal Laura Hawkins Adrian Chan Bassoon Brian Sittner, principal Nathaniel Edison Horn Ryan Anderson, principal Erica Yee Trumpet Kip Brewer, principal Landon Gray Anna Bjorquist Shannon Palladino Trombone Dillon Jackson, principal Josh Thomas-Urlik Eric Foster Tuba Michael Miranda, principal Timpani Matthew O’Sullivan Percussion Matthew Green Adam Ahrens Harp Christina Zieminski

Audition Requirements
Auditions are evaluated for quality of tone, correct position and posture, reading skills, demonstration of dynamic range in varying positions, and bowing technique. All requirements for the Preparatory Orchestra and Repertory Orchestra apply, in addition to the following.

1) Prepared Solo - any excerpt from the standard repertoire, a solo work or etude, demonstrating the musician's present level of accomplishment. No accompaniment is allowed in the audition. Youth Orchestra and the Young People's Chamber Orchestra auditions require the solo be approximately 5 minutes in length. The solo does not need to be memorized.

2) Scales - three-octave scales in two major keys of the student's choice. (Two octaves where applicable to your instrument.) Arpeggios are optional.

3) Excerpts - These are to be prepared in advance. Contact the Education Department staff to obtain a copy.

4) Sightreading - The student will be asked in the audition to read a short selection they have not seen before.

STRINGS
All students must be proficient in all positions, have advanced bowing technique and be able to produce a solid, clear tone with continuous vibrato. Violas should be able to read the treble clef. Cellos should be able to read the tenor and treble clefs. Basses should be able to read the tenor clef.

WOODWINDS
Students must be proficient in producing a full, clear tone in all registers and demonstrate accurate articulation technique, including staccato and legato tonguing. Clarinets must have a basic knowledge of A and C transposition. Bassoons must be able to read the tenor clef. Flutes must also be able to double tongue.

BRASS
Students must be proficient in producing a full, clear tone in all registers and demonstrate accurate articulation technique. Students must be able to double tongue and should own or have access to all mutes. Horns should have basic knowledge of the following transpositions: Eb, G, C, D and E; trumpets should know C, F, D and A transpositions; trombone players should be able to read the tenor clef (familiarity with alto clef a plus).

PERCUSSION
Students may be a specialist (timpani, mallets etc.) or be versed in all the rudiments and proper technique for all pitched and non-pitched percussion. Students must be able to read in simple, compound and asymmetrical meters. Students must demonstrate proficiency and good technique for playing all the basic instruments: snare drum, cymbals, bass drum, and triangle. Knowledge of drum set, timpani, mallets and other auxiliary instruments a plus.