Yakima Youth Symphony Orchestra (YYSO) and Yakima Ensemble for Strings (YES!) provide an opportunity for young musicians around the Yakima valley to play in a full orchestral ensemble setting. We rehearse and perform roughly eight to ten pieces a year, mostly traditional pieces by the masters of classical music - Beethoven, Strauss, Dvorak etc. Please refer to our Current & Past Repertoire list. YYSO plays at least one contemporary piece per semester. Most recently, the youth orchestra learned the score from ‘Pirates of the Caribbean’ and the theme from the Broadway musical ‘Wicked.’
YES is a smaller ensemble of aspiring string players from elementary to high-school ages. They rehearse and perform less challenging music than YYSO, but perform at the same concerts.
YYSO works in partnership with the Yakima Symphony Orchestra.
AUDITIONS
Auditions are for the following:
- New members to YES
- New members to YYSO
- Members of YES wanting to move up to YYSO
- Current members of YYSO or YES wishing to switch instruments.
If you have already auditioned and been accepted into the orchestra, you DO NOT need to audition again.
Each auditioning student should bring a piece of music he/she is currently studying. They should be prepared to play a brief portion of scales and sight-reading.
Official auditions are closed for this semester, but interested students are urged to contact YYSO for information about next semester’s auditions, usually held in early January.
Please call Nancy Miles at 966-0761 for an audition appointment or download the updated 2009-2010 form for information on tuition and registration.
REHEARSALS
YYSO rehearsals are held every Monday from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at Englewood Christian Church (511 N 44th Ave., Yakima, WA 98908). Students are expected to arrive on time, be tuned up and warmed up, and ready to play at all scheduled rehearsals. Late arrivals are disruptive and discourteous. Call Nancy Miles at 969-0751 if you are unable to attend rehearsal.
YES! rehearsals are held from 5:00 to 6:00 p.m. Call Libby Moore at 453-2643 if you are unable to attend rehearsal.
CAROL ALEXANDER
Conductor of the Yakima Youth Symphony Orchestra since 1999, received her Bachelor of Music Education degree Cum Laude from Central Michigan University and has completed graduate work at Michigan State University and the University of California at Santa Barbara. She has performed professionally as a French hornist in the Ventura County Symphony, Conejo Valley Symphony, and Cabrillo Music Theatre. Her teaching career includes experience at the elementary, middle school, and high school levels in the Conejo Valley Unified School District in Thousand Oaks, CA. For sixteen years she reestablished, developed and conducted the Conejo Valley Youth Symphony. She established and supervised the elementary instrumental music program in the eighteen elementary schools of the CVUSD. She has received the following honors and awards: "Star of Delta Omicron Award"; "Viking Award for Teacher Excellence" from the Redwood Middle School; "Certificate for Excellence in the Arts" from the Arts Commission of the City of Thousand Oaks, CA; "The Amgen Award for Teacher Excellence" from the Amgen Foundation; Nomination to the California State Teacher of the Year from CVUSD; and Special Recognition from CVUSD for Exemplary Service to the District Instrumental Music Program and to the Youth of the Conejo Valley.
CHRISTY BAISINGER
Conductor of the Yakima Ensemble for Strings, is also a Cellist in the Allegro String Quartet and the Yakima Symphony Orchestra. Mrs. Baisinger received her B. S. in Music Education at Kansas State University (summa cum laude). She completed her graduate work at the University of Washington, Seattle Pacific University and Central Washington University. From 1976 to 2002, she taught string orchestras from fourth to twelfth grade and supervised the entire Orchestra Program in the Yakima School District. Christy served as the orchestra representative to the Board of Washington Music Educators Association for three terms. She has also served as Secretary & President for the Washington Chapter of American String Teachers Pacific Northwest Chairman, National School Orchestra Association. She gives Private lessons for cello and bass to students of all levels and ages.
| Board of Directors | ||
|---|---|---|
| Pammy Kibbe | Nancy & Doug Miles | Libby K. Moore |
| Mary Kay Anabtawi | Co-Presidents | Libby Penhallegon |
| Kayla Fager | Carol Alexander | Rashelle Simmons |
| Matt Fager | YYSO Conductor | Linda Seaman |
| Betsy McCann | Christy Baisinger | Val Shepler |
| Tony Smith | YES! Conductor | |
Policies
Attendance - Behavior - Private Lessons - Parental Assistance - Fundraising
ATTENDANCE
Regular attendance at all rehearsals/concerts is critically important for the success of the student musician and the orchestra as a whole. Accordingly, students are expected to attend every rehearsal and concert. Attendance records will be kept, and all students along with Parent/Guardian will sign a Participation Agreement. Please resolve any schedule conflicts for rehearsals or concerts with your conductor well in advance.
In order to continue with YYSO/YES! students cannot be absent for more than two (2) rehearsals per semester. Students must perform at all concerts. Failure to satisfy these expectations will disqualify the musician from orchestra membership unless the student successfully appeals the disqualification to the YYSO Board.
Appeals must be submitted within the week of your 3rd absence prior to Monday’s rehearsal. Such appeals must be made in writing to the YYSO Board of Directors with a copy to your Conductor. The Board may reinstate the student if it is determined that the absences were due to extenuating circumstances not reasonably within the student’s control.
BEHAVIOR GUIDELINES
We are guests of Englewood Christian Church during rehearsals. We want to emphasize that it is a privilege to use this facility on a weekly basis. Please understand that our facility usage includes only the rehearsal room, adjacent restrooms, and the hallway/exit doors nearest this room. While we are in the building, these are the only areas of access to students. Courteous and respectful behavior is also expected at any other facilities used or anytime a student is representing YYSO or YES! Please do not bring food, candy, gum, or soda into the facility. Water bottles with secure lids are OK. Download for complete information on behavior and concert attire.
PRIVATE LESSONS
YYSO strongly suggests that all members take private lessons. Private lessons are very helpful in developing strong musicians and a more advanced orchestra, one that the students find more rewarding.
A list of recommended private teachers may be obtained from Mrs. Alexander.
PARENTAL ASSISTANCE
There are several different areas in which help from the parents is requested. Each family is asked to help with YYSO refreshments at least one time during the year. Extra parents are needed at all concert rehearsals, after concert performances at the Capitol Theatre, and for our concert trip to the Yakima Valley Museum in December.
There is an opportunity to sign up to volunteer with further explanations of these various opportunities at the annual mandatory parents' meeting held the end of September of each season OR please contact any board member during the practices to see how your expertise can be used to help make YYSO and YES!! our greatest to our kids and Yakima’s arts community. Download Form.
FUNDRAISING
The tuition for membership in YYSO and YES! does not begin to cover the salaries for conductors. Other costs include music, poster production, copying, facility rentals, etc. In order to keep tuition low, we request all families to please ask for donations to YYSO from businesses, individual professionals such as your personal physicians, dentist, accountant, hairdresser, or even your favorite coffee stand! Any board member can provide a form letter that every family can use to mail to personal and business contacts asking for donations to YYSO. This year we are planning a “Waltzing with the Youth Symphony” Dessert Fundraiser, March 19, 2010, held at the Harmon Center, 6-9 p.m.. Plan on attending this wonderful affair with desserts and dancing!!! (Instructors will be available)
Top of Page