15 August 2015

The Time Is Now!

Greetings!

Thanks to all those who have filled out the online participant form and set appointments for auditions. There are still many to go, so be sure to get the time you want by signing up early. 

I'll be sending out post cards this week. Use them as a reminder to sign up, and then share them with friends! It's time to recruit. Remember, the person who refers the most people who come and audition wins an Amazon Gift Card! Graduates are eligible to win, too!

If you need to adjust your audition appointment, click here for the direct link to the spreadsheet

Please let me know if you have questions about scales, timing, solo, etc. This is going to be a great year. :)

Have a great day!

Julie Gardner
Managing Director

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Did you know the website is a blog? All group emails are posted to the blog, which is totally searchable! Check it out...

05 August 2015

Come Play With Us!



NUYS Auditions and Stuff!

Greetings, Wonderful People!


The next season is coming ​together nicely.  We are so excited to see everyone again. Much behind-the-scenes work has been ​done this summer.  We have new timpani headsa new piccolomusic stand carts at the school, and a whole bunch of other great ​happenings, including grants written to keep us going for another year​.


​​IMPORTANT QUESTION before we get started:

Chamber Orchestra:
We are studying the possibility of moving Chamber Orchestra from Tuesdays 4-5:30 to Saturdays so they rehearse during the same time as Youth Symphony. We need your feedback! Do you have younger siblings or friends that would love to join the Chamber Orchestra but couldn't participate on Tuesdays? Please take a brief moment to email us so we know your comments, suggestions, and opinions.​ A reply to this email is great!


​​Okay, now for the real stuff:

Actions Requested:
Fill out the Online Participant Form and sign up for an Audition Time (link provided​after submitting the participant form). Please do this even if you did it last year!

The NUYS Auditions page​ also​ has some great ​info which might help if you have questions.

Things you need to Know:
Concerto Auditions:

​​
Concerto auditions are maxed out at the limit of 8 people auditioning.
​ ​
Those auditioning with a concerto do not need to audition on regular audition day (unless they are playing a different instrument for their concerto).

​(​If you are signed up for concerto auditions​ but do not receive a separate email from me ​in the next 24 hours, please contact me asap.)​

Regular Auditions:
September 19, 8 am to 1 pm. Please fill out the participant form -- you will receive the link ​for audition ​sign ups at the end of the participant form.

​When you sign up, please notice that your time slot is only five minutes. If we make the slots longer we'll be auditioning until the cows come home!

Scales: 
One way to speed up auditions is to practice up your scales -- they should be at least MM=92 for each note, or faster. Your two scales should take less than ​one minute​ (80 notes at MM=92 comes out at roughly 49 seconds)​, and your solo should be timed at 1 minute​Mr Dunn may stop you part way through your solo​. The sight reading is last, and we will provide an appropriate length excerpt so it's quick. I'd love to be able to say that we were timely with auditions this year!

String players: If you need help with fingerings for your scales, please ask. 
We can put you in touch with a helper​. That third octave is a lot easier if you have a fingering that you use every time​, like a patternYou'd be surprised how many great scale playing videos there are on Youtube. For instance, check out this one.​

​I like where he put the camera! So helpful. I will be putting up a scale page on the website when I get the chance, but don't wait for me. Do your own research. 

Parent Meeting:
​The parent meeting is set for the same day as the first rehearsal, September 26, 11:15 am to noon. Plan to attend -- youth and parents are all welcome -- and plan to pay your membership fee that day.​ Fees are the same as last year. More info on the Tuition page.​ 

Rehearsals for 
the​ first concert:
Rehearsals will run 8:30 to 11:00 am,​ each​ Saturday​:​
Sept 26, Oct 3, 10, 17, Retreat Oct 23-24, Oct 31, Nov 7, 14, with the concert on the 21st.​ A complete calendar for the year will be included in your welcome packet to be handed out at auditions, and there is always an up-to-date calendar online. ​

RETREAT!!!!
October 23-24​, at Camp UTABA in Liberty, Utah​. THIS IS A NATIONAL ACT TEST DAY. Take the test in September or December so you can be at the retreat! It's awesome!
​ ​
If you are already signed up for the October​ ACT, there is a way to change your test date if you do it by a deadline and pay a fee.

​Paperwork for the retreat will also be in the welcome packet handed out at auditions.​


​Save the Date for the first concert:
November 21, Rehearsal 11 am, Concert 3 pm. Venue and other details to follow.



​Please contact me with questions! If you have a question, someone else might be thinking the same thing, so you may as well ask. :)



Have a lovely rest-of-summer. 

Julie Gardner

Managing Director, NUYS

​​

--
Did you know the website is a blog? All group emails are posted to the blog, which is totally searchable! Check it out...
www.NorthernUtahYouthSymphony.org


04 August 2015

Fwd: Don't miss this concert featuring Alex Sharpe of Celtic Women in Logan August 7 and 8 at the Logan Tabernacle

Alex Sharp, member of Celtic Woman, performed with American Festival Chorus and Orchestra with Jenny Oaks Baker several years ago.  Spread the word!  Fantastic voice! Mr Dunn and Ms Dunn are involved and they said get there early for a seat. 





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Did you know the website is a blog? All group emails are posted to the blog, which is totally searchable! Check it out...