GTCYS NEWS NOTES FEBRUARY 2017

This edition of News Notes contains:  GTCYS Enrichment Opportunities: Social, Volunteer, and Leadership events!  Register to be a GTCYS Ambassador! Sign up by TODAY: February 1!  Bring a Friend Nights!  Pizza Nights!  Student Mentors  Concerto Competition Winner  Upcoming Events Schedule  Orchestrating Opportunities Benefit on April 24  GTCYS Volunteers: Thank You and Volunteers Needed  Student News  Student Opportunities outside GTCYS  Concert & Event Opportunities  GTCYS Summer Opportunities  Advocacy for Music Education  GTCYS Merchandise  Inclement Weather Policy

ENRICHMENT OPPORTUNITIES

GTCYS AMBASSADORS The Ambassador Program is a chance for students in all eight GTCYS to develop communication skills and demonstrate their GTCYS pride by connecting their school band and classmates and teachers with information about GTCYS.  Ambassadors make a short presentation at school, thank the teacher, and help spread the word about GTCYS.  Ambassadors must be enrolled in their school band or orchestra program.  Ambassadors will receive a free GTCYS T-Shirt! TODAY IS THE DEADLINE TO SIGN UP: Register online by February 1

BRING A FRIEND NIGHTS Bring a Friend Nights: Anyone who plays an orchestral instrument can come and play along with the orchestra for the evening. (Sorry, no saxophone, euphonium, or .) Students, this is a great way to introduce your friends to GTCYS, and it’s also a competition between the orchestras – the orchestra that brings the greatest percentage of friends wins an ice cream party! Bring a Friend Nights are on the following dates:  Philharmonia East: Thursday, March 16  Philharmonia West: Monday, March 13  Sinfonia: Tuesday, March 14  Concertino: Monday, March 20  Camerata: Tuesday, March 14  Concert Orchestra: Monday, March 20  Philharmonic: Tuesday, March 14  Symphony: Monday, March 13  Register your friends here in advance.

PIZZA NIGHTS: Each orchestra has a pizza night every semester as a chance to get to know the other members and share a meal together. Register here for your orchestra’s pizza night:  Phiharmonia East: Thursday, March 9  Philharmonia West: Monday, March 6  Sinfonia: Tuesday, March 7  Concertino: Monday, March 6  Camerata: Tuesday, March 7  Concert Orchestra: Monday, March 6  Philharmonic: Tuesday, March 7  Symphony: Monday, March 6

GTCYS Student Mentorships for Philharmonic and Symphony students: Learn more about GTCYS’ Mentorship opportunities and apply to be a mentor

CONCERTO COMPETITION WINNER On Sunday, January 22, eight Symphony students performed memorized concerto movements in recital for an audience and a panel of judges at MacPhail’s Antonello Hall. The performers, listed here in program order, were:

 Annie Amen and Meredith Song, : Concerto in C for Two Trumpets, RV 537 (Allegro, Largo, Allegro), Antonio Vivaldi  Christopher Kwon, cello: Concerto No. 1 in Eb for Cello, Opus 107 (Allegretto), Dmitri Shostakovich  Faith Helgeson, flute: Concerto No. 2 in D for Flute, K.314 (Allegro aperto), Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart  Matthew Pakola, violin: Introduction and Rondo Capriccioso for Violin, Opus 28, Camille Saint-Saëns  Madeline Sheard, cello: Concerto in D Minor for Cello (Prélude: Lento—Allegro maestoso), Edouard Lalo  Kennan LeJeune, horn: Concerto No. 3 in Eb for Horn, K.447 (Allegro), Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart  Joyce Zhao, violin: Symphonie espagnole, Opus 21 (Allegro non troppo), Edouard Lalo

The judges commended all performers on their excellent musicianship and moving performances and selected Madeline Sheard as the winner of this year’s competition. Madeline will perform with Symphony on the April 22 concert at Ted Mann Concert Hall. Congratulations to all competitors on their fine performances, and good luck to Madeline as she prepares for the concert with Symphony.

Special thanks to this year’s competition sponsors: Fein Violins, House of Note, and Schmitt Music, who are proud to support GTCYS’ young musicians.

UPCOMING EVENTS SCHEDULE

FEBRUARY CONCERTS Sinfonia & Camerata Community Concert Saturday, February 25, 3pm Tickets: $6, available at the door East Ridge High School, 4200 Pioneer Drive Sinfonia call time: 2pm Camerata call time: 1:30pm Spread the word with the Facebook event Spread the word with the Concert Poster

February 26 Symphony concert: Music Legends Sunday, February 26, 2017, 2pm (Featuring a performance by Philharmonia West) Ted Mann Concert Hall, Minneapolis

Music: Stravinsky’s The Firebird Suite, Verdi’s La Forza del Destino (Overture) and the first movement from Tchaikovsky’s Symphony No. 5. The concert also features a special performance by GTCYS’ Philharmonia West musicians.

Tickets  Purchase Online, call 651.291.1144, or at the door.  $6 – $10 (in advance) and $10 – $14 at the door.  Free tickets for non-performing GTCYS members: use the coupon code ‘gtcysstudent’ online, or mention over the phone or in person that you are a GTCYS student.  Spread the word with the Facebook Event  Spread the word with the Concert Poster

SPRING CONCERTS Bookmark GTCYS’ Concert Calendar for information about upcoming concerts in March and April and the Spring Festival on May 7!

ORCHESTRATING OPPORTUNITIES BENEFIT: APRIL 24 Please save the date for an evening you will not want to miss!

Orchestrating Opportunities Benefit: GTCYS’ annual benefit with reception, concert, and live and fund-a-need auctions Monday, April 24, 2017, 6:30-8:30pm Orchestra Hall, Target Atrium and Concert Hall

You are invited to join our musical community to raise support for need-based scholarships and enriching student experiences. Following a colorful and inviting reception, our pre-professional Symphony orchestra, led by artistic director Mark Russell Smith, will impress and inspire with a performance of Stravinsky’s Firebird Suite and Tchaikovsky’s Symphony No. 5. Your attendance and participation will make the evening complete and your support of our students is vital.

Tickets: available March 1, 2017 at gtcys.org Presenting and table sponsorships are now available. Please contact Ruth Watkins at [email protected] for further information.

GTCYS VOLUNTEERS: THANK YOU AND VOLUNTEERS NEEDED

Thank you, January volunteers Katy Chen, Jim Farnsworth, Anne Haaland, Sam Ische, Laura Preves, Anna Shortridge, Jyoti Singh, and Courtney Woltman for playing your part and seeing us through the Family Concert and both Concerto Competition Preliminary Round and Finals Recital!

Thank you to all of the parents who signed up on short notice to help at the retreat on January 28: Susan Bergquist, Laura Griffith, Sam Ische, Christina Maas, Amy Miller, Theresa Murray, Paul Odens, Ron Okagaki, Alia Pranke, Nathan Rinne, Leslie Russell, and Colleen Schuldt

KEEP THESE UPCOMING VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES IN MIND:

GTCYS Ambassador Preparation Volunteers  When: Thursday, February 2 & Friday, February 3 from 10am – 5pm, 2-hour slots all day  Where: GTCYS Office, 408 St. Peter Street, Suite 300, Saint Paul, MN 55102  Who: GTCYS Parents and students age 12 and up  Why: These materials are distributed to GTCYS Ambassadors who present to their school band or orchestra and help GTCYS recruit students for next season.  Sign up here (Deadline: Wednesday, February 1)

GTCYS Sinfonia & Camerata Community Concert  When: Saturday, February 25 ahead of the 3pm concert  Where: East Ridge High School, 4200 Pioneer Dr, Woodbury, MN 55129  Who: GTCYS Parents of Sinfonia and Camerata students  Why: Hand out programs and work the ticketing table  Sign up here (Deadline: Wednesday, February 22)

Symphony and Philharmonia West Concert  When: Sunday, February 26  Where: Ted Mann Concert Hall, Minneapolis  Who: GTCYS Parents of Philharmonia West students  Why: Help with transitions backstage  Sign up here (Deadline: Friday, February 24)

GTCYS Student Mentorships for Philharmonic and Symphony students: Learn more about GTCYS’ Mentorship opportunities and apply to be a mentor

Please contact [email protected] if you are interested in volunteer opportunities at GTCYS.

STUDENT NEWS

Send news of your accomplishments (both musical and non-musical) to [email protected] so we can celebrate your achievements and share them with GTCYS families.

Joel Kuehne (Concertino, horn) was selected for the SEMBDA Honor Band and performed on Kasson, MN on January 14, 2017.

Madeline Sheard (Symphony, cello) placed 3rd in the LaCrosse Symphony Rising Stars Competition.

All-State Participants: Several GTCYS students are members of the 2016–17 Minnesota All-State Orchestra or Band, including:  Stephanie Almquist (Philharmonic, )  Anders Carlson (Symphony, )  Nicole Bellis (Symphony, )  Joelle Chen (Symphony, violin)  Claire Davis (Philharmonic, viola)  Sonia Driskill (Symphony, harp)  Daniel Du (Symphony, violin)  Lauren Ische (Symphony, oboe)  Matthew Jeon (Symphony, cello)  Jennifer Holt (Symphony, violin)  Juliana Kilcoyne (Symphony, viola)  Christopher Kwon (Symphony, cello)  Nadine Manske (Symphony, violin)  Shaelyn Muldowney, (Philharmonic, viola)  Jill Shoen (Concert Orchestra, horn)  Jenna Simon (Symphony, oboe)  Kate Stiglicz (Symphony, cello)  Leighton Tuenge (Philharmonic, trumpet) Come hear these GTCYS students and many other talented musicians from around the state in their final performance on Saturday, February 18, 2017, 2pm, at Orchestra Hall. Buy tickets here.

Minnesota Varsity: The following GTCYS students have advanced the Featured Round of the annual Minnesota Varsity competition:  Eliot Johnson (Symphony, cello)  Elizabeth Kleiber (Symphony, flute)  Madeline Sheard (Symphony, cello) Click here to listen to their recordings

Young People’s Symphony Concert Association School Music Awards:  Eliot Johnson (Symphony, cello): Bonnie & Donn McLellan Award  Madeline Sheard (Symphony, cello): Karen Lundmark Holmes Award

STUDENT OPPORTUNITIES: OUTSIDE GTCYS Follow these links for information about exciting opportunities for student musicians. If you have ideas about events to add to this section for next month’s News Notes, please email [email protected].

Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp

Chester and Marion Groth College Music Scholarship – Applications Deadline February 26

Credo Summer Music Brochure and Programs

Eastern Music Festival – Application Deadline February 24

From the Top Radio program offers Scholarship

Golden Valley Orchestra Young Artists Competition – Application Deadline February 18

Interlochen Arts Camp

Lamont Summer Music Academy – Scholarship Application Deadline: February 15; Regular Application Deadline: March 15

Madeline Island Chamber Music

Minnesota Sinfonia Young Artist Competition – Application Deadline March 15

NextNotes High School Composition Awards

Northwestern University Violin Institute – Application Deadline April 15

Oberlin Conservatory Summer Programs

Robin Rayflied Recording Project: Highly advanced musicians needed: 2 violins, 1 viola, 1 cello needed for new music recording project. Payment is $200/person. Contact [email protected]

Rocky Ridge Summer Music Camp

SPCO Youth Chamber Music Competition: Deadline to apply is February 20

Stringwood Chamber Music Festival – Application deadline: March 6

Summit Music Series

CONCERT OPPORTUNITIES

UPCOMING CONCERTS FROM GTCYS’ PARTNER, THE SPCO  February 1: Cutting the Circle of Sounds with Claire Chase  February 2 – 3: Dvořák in America  February 10 – 12: Martin Fröst Plays Copland and Brahms  February 16 – 17 and 19: Chamber Music Series: Mendelssohn’s Octet for Strings  February 18: Mendelssohn’s Octet for Strings with James Sewell Ballet  February 25: Family Concert: Musical Motivations  The SPCO now offers free tickets to all children ages 6 – 17 and all students! Click here for more information about their exciting New Generation Initiative

GTCYS Night Out at the SPCO  Use coupon code ‘gtcysnightout’ to redeem $10 Tickets for adults and FREE for students for this April 2 concert: o Jeremy Denk Plays Brahms and Beethoven o Sunday, April 2, 2:00pm o GTCYS families receive 2 discounted adult tickets per order ($10 each), and up to 4 free child tickets per adult attending

 SPCO Free Family Music Events in 2016-17

Special SPCO offer for GTCYS parents: Use the coupon code ‘gtcysadult’ at checkout to receive these special deals”  $10 best available seats for parents at Neighborhood Venues (limit 2)  $12 best available seats for parents at the Ordway (limit 2)

UPCOMING CONCERTS AT THE MINNESOTA ORCHESTRA  February 3: Future Classics: Emerging Composers Spotlight  February 8: Young People's: Kodály’s Dances of Galánta  February 9: Young People's: Tchaikovsky's Symphony No. 4  February 10: Great American Songbook  February 16 – 18: Russian Nights  February 23 – 25: Mendelssohn’s Scottish Symphony: Hugh Wolff Conducts  February 25: NightCap: Mozart, Bartók and Nielsen

OTHER CONCERTS AND EVENTS:

 113 Composers Collective

 Children’s Performance Lab at the Minneapolis Music Company

 MacPhail Event Calendar and Spotlight Series

 Minnesota Orchestra Student Rush

 Schubert Club Courtroom Concerts

 Schubert Club Student Discounts

GTCYS SUMMER OPPORTUNITIES: SAVE THE DATES! GTCYS’ Summer Orchestras program and String Orchestra Camp offer opportunities for orchestral musicians and do not require an audition. Registration for both programs will be available at www.gtcys.org in mid-February.

 Summer Orchestras: Whether you’re a first-time orchestra student or an advanced player, there’s a place for you in GTCYS’ Summer Orchestras. The Summer Philharmonic and Summer Symphony inspire younger and more advanced string, woodwind, brass, and percussion students, respectively. The Summer Chamber Symphony offers higher level string students an opportunity to excel in a more intimate orchestral setting. All three groups are non-auditioned and will be co-directed by GTCYS conductors. Weekly rehearsals will take place on Tuesday evenings, May 23 – July 11 at the University of Minnesota (Ferguson Hall and Ted Mann Concert Hall), Minneapolis, and the program culminates with a free concert at Como Park in St. Paul on Tuesday, July 11. Registration will be available online in mid-February, and need-based scholarships are available.

 String Orchestra Camp (Offered twice due to popular demand!) Budding young string students age 8 – 13 can play in a string orchestra during this day camp at the Landmark Center and Science Museum of Minnesota in downtown St. Paul. Students learn through energizing rehearsals, sectionals with professional coaches, fun social opportunities, field trips, and special music activities. Mary Sorlie directs the camp. Due to popular demand, the camp will be offered twice this summer. Monday – Thursday activities will be held at the Landmark Center, and Friday’s activities will be at the Science Museum of Minnesota. o Camp 1: June 10 – 30, 9am – 3pm, with a concert on Friday, June 30 at 12:30pm o Camp 2: July 10 – 14, 9am – 3pm, with a concert on Friday, July 14, 12:30pm Registration will be available online in mid-February, and need-based scholarships are available.

ADVOCACY FOR MUSIC EDUCATION

Music Makes us Whole Campaign Music Makes Us Whole is the initiative of several dozen Minnesota organizations that believe every child deserves a rich music education. We advocate for this because of music’s intrinsic value in the human experience, and also for the whole-brain and whole-life benefits to the child as well as his or her community. Click here to learn more and to get involved.

Arts Advocacy Day at the Minnesota State Capitol: February 28 GTCYS activities are made possible in part by a Minnesota State Arts Board Operating Support grant, thanks to a legislative appropriation from the arts and cultural heritage fund. Every year at Arts Advocacy Day, approximately 500 arts advocates join together to educate their legislators about the arts in their communities, say thank you for grants like our Operating Support grant, and ask them to support arts funding in the future. This year’s Advocacy Day is on Tuesday, February 28. Click here to learn more and to sign up to attend.

GTCYS MERCHANDISE

If you are interested in ordering GTCYS merchandise (T-Shirts, Hoodies, and Canvas Bags), complete our online form! You will receive your order at an upcoming rehearsal.

INCLEMENT WEATHER

In the event of inclement weather which might result in dangerous conditions, GTCYS will also send an email to GTCYS families and will post the cancelation on www.gtcys.org and GTCYS’ Facebook page. Decisions regarding cancellations will be made by 3:00pm. Please assume a GTCYS activity will continue unless you hear otherwise.

Greater Twin Cities Youth Symphonies 408 St. Peter Street, Suite 300 St. Paul, MN 55102 Tel 651.602.6800 Fax 651.292.3281 www.gtcys.org

Learn more about how to play your part in GTCYS: watch our video and visit our website!