M E D I A  A D V I S O R Y

March 8, 2017 – Richmond, Virginia The Richmond Symphony Youth Orchestra Program (YOP) is seeking talented young musicians to audition for the 2017/18 Season. YOP consists of four ensembles including String Sinfonietta (Entry Level Strings), Camerata Strings (Intermediate Level Strings), Youth Concert Orchestra (Intermediate Level Full Orchestra) and Richmond Symphony Youth Orchestra (Advanced Level Full Orchestra). Audition dates are listed below and will take place at the Dominion Arts Center. Please note: String Sinfonietta is an entry level ensemble and does not require an audition. Full audition requirements and applications can be found online at www.richmondsymphony.com/education-engagement/.

• Tuesday, May 23, 4:30 – 8pm
  Camerata Strings, Youth Concert Orchestra and Richmond Symphony Youth Orchestra
• Tuesday, May 30, 4:30 – 8pm
  Camerata Strings, Youth Concert Orchestra and Richmond Symphony Youth Orchestra
• Tuesday, June 6, 4:30 – 8pm
  Youth Concert Orchestra and Richmond Symphony Youth Orchestra only
• Tuesday, August 15*, 5 – 7pm
  Richmond Symphony Youth Orchestra only
• Tuesday, August 22*, 4:30 – 8pm
  Camerata Strings and Youth Concert Orchestra only
  *Placement for the 2017/18 Season will be made after the spring auditions. Students are strongly encouraged to audition in May and June.  The August auditions are only open to new students and held to fill vacancies in the ensembles.

Learn more about auditions at a free upcoming YOP Open House. Student musicians are invited to bring their instrument and experience a YOP rehearsal. Parents are welcome too and will have the opportunity to ask questions during a Q&A session after the rehearsal.

• Open House for String Sinfonietta, Camerata Strings and Youth Concert Orchestra ensembles Tuesday, March 21, 4:30 – 6:30pm at Martin Luther King, Jr. Middle School
• Open House for Richmond Symphony Youth Orchestra ensemble
  Tuesday, March 28, 4:45 – 7pm at the Dominion Arts Center

Reservations are required to attend a YOP Open House. For more information and to RSVP, visit www.richmondsymphony.com/education-engagement/ or call Megan Osborn, Richmond Symphony Assistant Director of Education at 804.788.4717 ext. 144.

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History of Richmond Symphony Youth Orchestra Program

The Richmond Symphony’s flagship educational program, founded in 1962, consists of four youth orchestras providing beginning to advanced musical training. As the premier orchestral training program of central Virginia, students participate in weekly rehearsals, coaching and masterclasses by Richmond Symphony musicians, chamber music performances, mentoring and other musical and social activities. The Youth Orchestra Program is open to elementary through high school students.

About the Richmond Symphony

Founded in 1957, the Richmond Symphony is the largest performing arts organization in Central Virginia. The organization includes an orchestra of more than 70 professional musicians, the 150-voice Richmond Symphony Chorus and more than 260 students in the Richmond Symphony Youth Orchestra programs. Each season, more than 200,000 members of the community enjoy concerts, and radio broadcasts. The Symphony also provides educational outreach programs to over 50,000 students and teachers each year. The Richmond Symphony is partially funded by the Virginia Commission for the Arts and the National Endowment for the Arts.