Conductor Position Open

Are you looking for a way to enrich the lives of motivated youth musicians?

Do you have a gift for bringing out the best in an orchestra?

Are you a great motivator and communicator?

Then…

Lincoln Youth Symphony needs YOU!

 

Become the next conductor / music director of the Lincoln Youth Symphony and enjoy:

¯    A quarterly stipend

¯    Three concerts per year plus an annual performance on stage at Abravanel Hall at the Youth Symphony Festival

¯    Great music students from Box Elder and Weber counties

 

Qualifications:

¯    Conducting experience required

¯    Enthusiasm – desire to make a difference in the lives of exceptional
youth musicians

¯    Experience with all orchestral instruments preferred —
Strings, Woodwinds, Brass & Percussion

 

Submit résumé & cover letter, or send queries, via email, to 

LincolnYouthSymphony@gmail.com

Top candidates will be invited to a live audition with our special audition orchestra.

Currently, rehearsals are scheduled for Saturday mornings.

[Note: This is a re-post so it will be the front item on the LYS blog.]

Applicant FAQ

Written to an applicant for the conducting position:

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I am the managing director of the Lincoln Youth Symphony. I have a vision of the youth symphony no longer being a "best kept secret"... I envision a conductor who wants to grow the program so it blesses more lives in Box Elder and Northern Weber counties. 

Thank you for your questions. I will do my best to answer them!

1. On which day and at what time are rehearsals?  I remember reading that rehearsals are currently scheduled for Saturday mornings.  Is this still accurate?
   
   The Lincoln Youth Symphony rehearsals have always been on Saturday mornings, 8:30 to 11:00 am, and they are currently held at Adele C Young Intermediate School, 830 Law Drive, Brigham City, UT 84302. 
   
   (When the orchestra was originally founded, it was held at the Lincoln Center in Brigham where the Boys and Girls Club meets - hence the name of the orchestra.) 
   
   The reason for the "vague" rehearsal time is that we are open to restructuring - or at least looking into it. I have talked to many other youth symphony personnel, and most of them rehearse on a weekday, avoiding Saturday mornings so they don't lose people to the the Utah Youth Symphony, which also rehearses on Saturday Mornings. 
   
   However, I did a survey of my faithful members at the end of this season and realized that many of them play for me because it's on Saturday mornings. This orchestra draws from a spread-out area - it includes students from as far south as Riverdale, with quite a few that live in Pleasant View, North Ogden, and Plain City, and as far north as Tremonton - and with the distances they travel, it seems to work better on Saturday Mornings. I also recently surveyed people who do not play in the LYS (through students who are current members) and it is kind of split - people who might be interested are split on whether they like Saturday or a variety of other days. 
   
   The proposal right now is to keep Saturday mornings... as Richard Marsden said to me recently, "Choose a day, and don't apologize for it".... but it is open to discussion.
   
   
2. What is the window for accepting applications for the position?  I am currently updating my resume and I will have my materials ready to send this weekend - will that be acceptable?
   
   The audition orchestra date is July 10th in the morning. Please submit applications as soon as possible. Scores and instructions will be sent to applicants one week prior to the audition. Anyone wishing to apply after July 3rd will receive scores and instructions as soon as possible, but will end up with a shorter preparation time.
   
   
3. A quarterly stipend is mentioned in the e-mail.  How much will that be?
   
   The quarterly stipend is $900. This is paid at the end of each quarter of Lake Bonneville Symphonic Society's (LBSS) fiscal year - which puts payroll on Oct 31, Jan 31, Apr 30, and July 31. The stipend covers the symphony season but is split evenly over the fiscal year. It is 1099 income (self-employment). 
   
   
4. When are the four concerts scheduled throughout the year?
   
   We are just getting the concerts for next year onto the calendar. 
   
   For the last two years, our schedule has looked like this: We had our opening concert the Saturday before Thanksgiving which incorporated some Christmas music, but was mostly a regular concert. This concert is combined with Lincoln Youth Chamber Orchestra, our Middle School aged string orchestra. 
   
   At the beginning of November, we schedule a concerto audition and select one or more students to perform concertos with the orchestra for the concert on a Saturday at the end of January. Members of the orchestra may audition for free, and we charge a $20 fee for others, so the auditions are open to the public. I would like to see more people audition. This year we had two soloists who were not members of the organization, and one that was a member. Those who choose to audition for concerto night must clear their music with the director to assure that the music is available and doable. 
   
   The third concert is at Abravanel Hall. This coming year it will be on Monday, February 28, 2011. This is the youth symphony festival (are you familiar with this?). We usually try to renew something that we played for the fall concert so there is time to prepare the April concert.  Last year we got bold and played the entire Haydn Symphony No. 101. Not exactly a crowd pleaser, the but our musicians felt really good about it.
   
   The final concert is in April. We've been doing it Friday - the day before State Solo & Ensemble, which is when we lose people - and having an extra rehearsal the day before. The last couple years we have added a combined piece for both LYCO and LYS to play together at the end. This and the November concert are the only concerts that LYCO plays... 
   
   One other concert is and is not part of our season: We always play at Brigham City's Peach Days festival. It's a "combined" concert between the LBCS (Lake Bonneville Community Symphony), LYCO and LYS. No audition required, and it's a fun way to start the year. 
   
   This year's concert will be on Sept 11th on the Main Street Stage at 1:30. This concert, the last couple years, has been conducted by the youth symphony conductor, but the rehearsals have been on Community Symphony rehearsal nights - Tues & Thurs evenings during the few weeks before the concert. These rehearsal times are flexible.
   
   Our auditions are the Saturday after Peach Days and rehearsals begin the week after, so our first concert at the end of Nov is usually somewhat simpler repertoire. 
   
   
5. What age range are members of the orchestra?  Do most of the students take private lessons?
   
   The age range is generally high school age, and, yes, most take private lessons. They are motivated and care about music or they wouldn't be in the orchestra!
    
6. What is the skill level of the orchestra?  What pieces have they performed on recent programs?
   
   The skill level... Let me just refer you to the programs I've put on the website so you can see what they've played. I would say that the biggest change I'd like to see is more coaching in the brass and winds and more bodies in the strings. 

Thanks again for your questions. I look forward to a continued dialog with you.

Best Regards,

- Julie Gardner

Conductor Position Open

Are you looking for a way to enrich the lives of motivated youth musicians?

Do you have a gift for bringing out the best in an orchestra?

Are you a great motivator and communicator?

Then…

Lincoln Youth Symphony needs YOU!

Become the next conductor / music director of the Lincoln Youth Symphony and enjoy:

¯ A quarterly stipend

¯ Three concerts per year plus an annual performance on stage at Abravanel Hall at the Youth Symphony Festival

¯ Great music students from Box Elder and Weber counties

Qualifications:

¯ Conducting experience required

¯ Enthusiasm – desire to make a difference in the lives of exceptional
youth musicians

¯ Experience with all orchestral instruments preferred —
Strings, Woodwinds, Brass & Percussion

Submit résumé & cover letter, or send queries, via email, to

LincolnYouthSymphony@gmail.com

Top candidates will be invited to a live audition with our special audition orchestra.

Currently, rehearsals are scheduled for Saturday mornings.

LincolnYouthSymphony.blogspot.com

LYS Concert Report for Friday, April 23, 2010

Greetings!

I just wanted to send a heartfelt thank you for a wonderful year, and a great final concert. I started working with Lincoln Youth Symphony because I believe it needs to be kept alive, and because of my positive experiences as a youth in the Everett Youth Symphony and Seattle Junior Youth Symphony, and as an adult in the Utah Valley Symphony, Gray's Harbor Community Symphony, Port Angeles Symphony Orchestra, and the Salt Lake Symphony. I have also been inspired by my children's positive experiences in North Olympic Youth Symphony, Utah Youth Symphony Prep Orchestra, Davis Youth Symphony, and Lincoln Youth Symphony & Lincoln Youth Chamber Orchestra. As you can see, my family has been around the block a few times (and then some!) and we have seen many organizations at work. We have seen positive growth, and that is inspiring.

I hope, in our time together, that you have seen more than just the weekly rehearsal grind -- that you have seen the potential you all have to be the person you are here to become. I hope, in our time together, that you have experienced some of the joy of making music, of doing something -- and improving as you go -- and doing the best you can at something that is not easy -- is not meant to be easy. I hope that you have noticed improvement in yourself, that you have cemented friendships, that you have laughed and learned. I know I have. That's what makes life interesting!

This little letter also comes with best wishes for our six graduating seniors (you will be missed as you embark on your grand adventures!) -- including the three who still have their work cut out for them as they prepare to play in the Utah Symphony concert! 

And best wishes to John Findlay with his many endeavors! John, you will be missed!

All in all, have a great summer, and be proud of your performance last night! Bravo!

One more thing: If you didn't turn in your music (and I haven't sorted it yet, but if you didn't, you know who you are), please bring it to me at 2800 S 1200 W, Perry. Bring it asap -- before I know it's missing!

Have a fabulous summer!

Julie Gardner

--
435.723.8262
LincolnYouthSymphony.blogspot.com

LYS Thursday Report for April 22, 2010

Greetings!

As you already know, this is Julie Gardner, 435.723.8262, GJulieKay@gmail.com.
Please contact me with any questions, or, as usual, with attendance issues.

Tonight's Rehearsal:

Thanks to all with your smiling faces at rehearsal tonight. I think we made lots of progress, and we will have a great concert tomorrow night!

For Tomorrow:

Please arrive by 6:30 pm. Hopefully I'll actually have my little video camera there, so I can hear from each of you "why you play in LYS"... and we'll have a fabulous concert! :)

Admission is: $3 for adults; $1.50 for children 11 & under; $1.50 for seniors; $12 for families (under one roof). Please thank your families for their continued support!

The concert begins at 7:00 pm. Performance order is:

Titus Overture

Odzemek

Les Preludes

Swan Lake (combined with LYCO)

Please wear regular concert attire. 

Male: Black tux or equivalent suit, white dress shirt, black bow tie, black socks, black shoes. 

Female: Black dress, formal trouser suit, or blouse & skirt, midriff covered, conservative neckline, skirts & dresses at least tea-length, slits no higher than knee, black stockings, black shoes, accessories & trim in black.

Also, if anyone saw an article in the paper about the concert, I'd love to see it!

Thanks for all your support this year!  We have had a great year! 

For those of you who missed tonight, we announced John Findlay's resignation as of the end of this season. We will miss his stellar conducting! There is a memento "cello back" that we worked on signing tonight for him. Please be sure you sign it tomorrow if you didn't get to tonight!

Julie Gardner

John Findlay

--
435.723.8262
LincolnYouthSymphony.blogspot.com

LYS Saturday Report for April 10, 2010

Greetings!

As you already know, this is Julie Gardner, 435.723.8262, GJulieKay@gmail.com.
Please contact me with any questions, or, as usual, with attendance issues.

Today's Rehearsal:

Wow!  A LOT of people were taking the ACT today!

BUT we had a good rehearsal... The LYCO students came and rehearsed Swan Lake with us at the end, and, in reality, it was quite productive. It was just ironic that the woodwinds all had to be gone today - except Jessica!

Wish we still had rehearsal next week, but alas, we do not. Woodshed your music! Practice until you can play it! I know you can do it!

I handed out a survey today and offered a candy bar for everyone who turned it in. Thanks for participating! Everyone who missed it will have a chance to fill it out on Thursday April 22. I am researching a better rehearsal time. Please be sure to fill it out next time if you didn't today!

I had one person hand me Gala Ticket Money today... If there is any more Gala Ticket Money floating around out there, please bring it to the next rehearsal, or mail it to PO Box 236, Brigham City, UT 84302. Thanks!

One other thing, at the dress rehearsal I will have a small video camera. I would like to videotape ten-second responses to the following question: "Why do you play in LYS?" I'd also like a lot of people saying (individually or in groups) "Come Play With Us!" .... Truth is, we need a new video, and it might not be professional, but it will be fun! Thanks ahead of time for your willingness to participate! :)

Upcoming schedule:

• Saturday, April 17, NO Rehearsal. 
• Thursday, April 22, Rehearsal on stage at BEMS, arrive at 4:45. Rehearsal from 5-7 pm (first half hour with LYCO) VERY IMPORTANT REHEARSAL! Attendance must be 100%.
• Friday, April 23, Final Concert at BEMS, 7pm
• Tuesday, May 25, 7 pm, Utah Symphony All-Star Concert, Abravanel Hall (come see three of our musicians perform side-by-side with the Utah Symphony!)

Julie Gardner

John Findlay

--
435.723.8262
LincolnYouthSymphony.blogspot.com

Utah Symphony Orchestra In-Sight Concert

I know there will be someone who will say, "Why didn't you tell me about this?" .... So here is the info! It sounds way fun!

-Julie

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Greetings,

On Thursday, April 15, we have the final Orchestra In-Sight evening for this season. For this concert, David Cho will talk about and excerpt Mussorgsky's great masterpiece, Pictures at an Exhibition, followed by a performance of the piece.

The evening starts early (7 pm), and without an intermission ends around 8 pm. Interested audience members can stay for a Q & A with the conductor and selected orchestra members. Orchestra and audience are encouraged to dress casually.

Best of all, the tickets are only $3 for students and $5 for teachers! We hope you'll encourage your students to join us on April 15.

- Beverly

P.S. Some of your violinists might want to come to the Leila Josefowicz masterclass that same afternoon, April 15, from 4-6 pm. It will be held in the First Tier Room of Abravanel Hall (where the pre-concert lectures are given). It will be necessary to enter the building through the doors to the lower level lobby on the west side of the building.

Beverly Hawkins

Symphony Education Manager

801.869.9092
Utah Symphony|Utah Opera

LYS Saturday Report for April 3, 2010

Greetings!

As you already know, this is Julie Gardner, 435.723.8262, GJulieKay@gmail.com.
Please contact me with any questions, or, as usual, with attendance issues.

Today's Rehearsal:

We made a discovery today... There are only 2 rehearsals left before our concert -- including the dress rehearsal. Eeek!

So, Practice, Practice, Practice! Woodshed - break it up in little pieces and work on small sections. Put in fingerings as needed. Use a metronome to increase your speed if needed.

Thank you (from the bottom of my heart) to all the folks who came to rehearsal this morning - I know it's a holiday weekend, and I know it's Weber District's Spring Break. Thank you for your dedication and commitment.

Next week is going to be interesting. There are many people taking the ACT next week, but it is imperative that we have enough people to make an orchestra! LYCO is coming next week to rehearse Swan Lake during the last 45 minutes, and, as we already discovered this morning, there are only 2 more rehearsals before our concert!

Upcoming schedule:

Saturday, April 10, 8:30 to 11:00am (LYCO will be attending 10:15 to 11:00 to practice Swan Lake with us)

Saturday, April 17, NO Rehearsal. (Box Elder spring break, no conductor - and no way into the building - unless someone has a place we can meet!)

Thursday, April 22, Rehearsal on stage at BEMS, arrive at 4:45. Rehearsal from 5-7 pm (first half hour with LYCO)

Friday, April 23, Final Concert at BEMS, 7pm
Tuesday, May 25, 7 pm, Utah Symphony All-Star Concert, Abravanel Hall (come see three of our musicians perform side-by-side with the Utah Symphony!)

Julie Gardner

John Findlay

--
435.723.8262
LincolnYouthSymphony.blogspot.com

LYS Saturday Report for March 27, 2010

Greetings!

As you already know, this is Julie Gardner, 435.723.8262, GJulieKay@gmail.com.
Please contact me with any questions, or, as usual, with attendance issues.

Last Saturday:

Thanks for a great rehearsal!  Please make a special effort to attend all rehearsals from here to the end of the season, which is just a few weeks away.

Here is the final schedule for the year:

Saturday, April 3, 8:30 to 11:00am. (apologies to those in districts who have spring break that weekend)

Saturday, April 10, 8:30 to 11:00am (LYCO will be attending 10:15 to 11:00 to practice Swan Lake with us)

Saturday, April 17, NO Rehearsal. (Box Elder spring break, no conductor!)

Thursday, April 22, Rehearsal on stage at BEMS, arrive at 4:45. Rehearsal from 5-7 pm (first half hour with LYCO)

Friday, April 23, Final Concert at BEMS, 7pm

I have updated the website... so take a look at LincolnYouthSymphony.blogspot.com and use the links to the right for calendars, etc!

Utah Symphony All-Star Concert.

Each year when we play at Abravanel Hall, we qualify to send a few people to play in the Utah Symphony All-Star Concert where the youth play side-by-side with the Utah Symphony. This year our orchestra is so small we only qualified to send one string player (Miranda), and they originally only gave us one wind spot (Keri) as well - and an alternate spot for oboe. We submitted everyone's information, never expecting that the Utah Valley Youth oboist wouldn't be able to play. But last week we found out that the UVY oboist can't make every rehearsal, so Avery gets to play instead! 

Congratulations to this year's Utah Symphony All-Stars: Miranda S. will be playing Violin, Keri H. will be playing Trumpet, and Avery W. will be playing oboe at the Utah Symphony All-Star Concert on May 25. I encourage all who can make it to attend the concert. Click Here for the Utah Symphony Website concert information.

Gala Fundraiser Dinner ticket sales. 

Our winners for the ticket sales contest were: Gabby H, LYCO; Avery W, LYS (if you don't count our conductor)! They will both need to let me know which gift card they want. 

Julie Gardner

John Findlay

--
435.723.8262
LincolnYouthSymphony.blogspot.com

LYS Saturday Report for March 20, 2010

Greetings!

As you already know, this is Julie Gardner, 435.723.8262, GJulieKay@gmail.com.
Please contact me with any questions, or, as usual, with attendance issues.

Last Saturday:

I missed last Saturday - I was on my way to Albuquerque to support my daughter, and several other Weber State students, at the MTNA national music competition. For those of you who might know Jana, she took 2nd in the nation! Woo Hoo! (First place was a clarinet, and she was really good too!)

Soooo, here's hoping that all went well last Saturday. I promise I won't miss any more rehearsals!

Here is the final schedule for the year:

Saturday, March 27, rehearsal will be 8:30 to 11:00am.

Saturday, April 3, 8:30 to 11:00am. (apologies to those in districts who have spring break that weekend)

Saturday, April 10, 8:30 to 11:00am (LYCO will be attending 10:15 to 11:00 to practice Swan Lake with us)

Saturday, April 17, NO Rehearsal. (Box Elder spring break, no conductor!)

Thursday, April 22, Rehearsal on stage at BEMS, 5-7 pm (first half hour with LYCO)

Friday, April 23, Final Concert at BEMS, 7pm

I have updated the google calendar to reflect the change on April 17, but the google sites have finally overtaken our googlepages website, and for some reason, the LYS calendar has disappeared (not the LYCO one - just LYS)... I will figure it out and get back with you! :)

Gala Fundraiser Dinner was a success. 

Thank you for your support! We had a full house! 

There were two items that were overlooked at the silent auction: a cello stand (probably because it was holding up the little cello - no minimum bid, SRP $25) and a cello bow (SRP $250; min bid $75). Please contact me if you are interested in examining these items. I would buy the bow if I had $75! :)

Julie Gardner

John Findlay

--
435.723.8262
LincolnYouthSymphony.blogspot.com