Reading Symphony Youth Orchestra

READING SYMPHONY YOUTH ORCHESTRA

2006/2007 THE READING SYMPHONY YOUTH ORCHESTRA (RSY0)

The RSYO was established in the fall of 1989 as a project of the Education Committee of the Reading Symphony Board of Directors to give talented student musicians an opportunity to perform and gain experience in playing symphonic repertoire. Peter Brye was chosen as conductor through a competitive audition process.

Each fall, auditions are held for instrumental music students from 9th to 12th grades, primarily from Berks County but also including interested students from Lancaster, Ephrata, Chester, and Montgomery counties. The RSYO season includes two concerts per year (Holiday and Spring Concerts) and an RSO Subscription Prelude Concert. In past years, the RSYO has toured local schools to promote music education and appreciation for the arts.

With the assistance of the RSYO Parent Association, music festivals and summer tours have become a part of the RSYO experience.

THE RSYO PARENT ASSOCIATION

The RSYO Parent Association was formed to act as a support group to enhance the performance and educational opportunities for the members of the Reading Symphony Youth Orchestra. Although we work very closely with the Reading Symphony Orchestra, we are a separate entity.

The RSYO Parent Association is made up exclusively of volunteers, most of whom are parents of the RSYO musicians. A $5.00 per family membership fee secures membership and is used to offset the ever-increasing costs of photocopying and mailing PETER J. BRYE, MUSIC DIRECTOR

Originally from Corvallis, Oregon, Peter Brye began his musicals studies at the age of six on the piano with his father, Joseph C. Brye. By the age of eight, he was playing the violoncello. He continued his studies and eventually earned a Bachelor of Music degree from the University of Oregon as a ‘cello performance major under the tutelage of Robert Hladky. He also was a conducting student of Robert Wagner

His studies continued at the Pennsylvania State University as a ‘cello student of Leonard Feldman and a conductions student of Dr. D. Douglas Miller, where he received a master of Music degree in ‘Cello Performance. Mr. Brye has done additional work at the Peabody Conservatory, Baltimore, MD Temple University, Philadelphia, PA and the University of Michigan.

Currently on the faculty of Millersville University, Brye serves as Professor of Violoncello and conductor of the University/Community Orchestra . He also serves as a guest conductor for many orchestra festivals at the county, district, regional and all-state levels throughout the Northeast. The honor of Distinguished String Teacher of the Year was awarded Mr. Brye from the Pennsylvania Delaware String Teachers Association with Pennsylvania School Orchestra Association. Mr. Brye appears frequently as a recitalist, orchestra soloist and chamber musician throughout the central Pennsylvania area and is currently Assistant Principal ‘cellist of the Reading Symphony Orchestra. He enjoys time with his family, is an avid bicyclist and is truly dedicated to the work of student musicians, evident in his profession, the success of the RSYO and in his lifestyle. PERFORMANCE TRIPS

Special trips are planned in an effort to provide musically educational opportunities for the RSYO and give these hard-working young musicians the chance to enjoy the friendships they have formed throughout their performance year. It is a daunting task to organize but well worth the effort. As parents who have participated in it the past can attest, in just a few short days as the intensity of relationships grows so does the level of performance. It is an exciting transformation to witness.

Past trips have taken the orchestra to Virginia Beach, Toronto, French Canada, the United Kingdom, and through the European countries of the Czech Republic, Austria, Germany, and Switzerland. This year, the RSYO will embark upon a 10 day performance tour Italy. During the course of travel, participants explore these exciting areas via a professional tour guide. Many wonderful activities have been planned and will be discussed in more detail at the RSYO Parent Association meetings. As in the past, the RSYO will also be rehearsing and providing public performances throughout the year. You don’t want to miss this once in a lifetime opportunity!

The RSYO Parent Association has organized many fundraising activities as a means for orchestra members to earn as much of the costs associated with traveling as necessary so that no one is excluded from participating.

FUNDRAISING

Participation in fundraising events is always optional. However, sufficient fundraising opportunities will be provided throughout the performance year in order that students may earn the costs associated with the summer tour.

The percentage of profit earned by students for each fundraiser will be announced in advance. Credits earned by each student through fundraising will be retained on account for future use. These credits are carried over from one year to the next for as long as a student remains a member of the RSYO. In the case of a graduating senior or if a student does not qualify for membership in the RSYO in the next consecutive performance year, any remaining balance will be credited to the account of a sibling who is a member of the RSYO in the next consecutive performance year. If there is no sibling, any remaining credits will become part of the RSYO Parent Association general funds. Responsibilities of RSYO Members

1. Demonstrate commitment to your orchestra by attending regularly and by always being in the rehearsal hall no later than ten minutes before the start of the rehearsal, so that rehearsals can begin promptly at 9:00 am without the disruption of latecomers. Rehearsals will end at 12:00 noon.

2. Membership in the RSYO is a privilege. That privilege can be withdrawn for lack of application, poor behavior, or persistent talking during rehearsals.

3. Three unexcused absences will result in dismissal from the orchestra. Students will be called at home if they miss a rehearsal without an excuse. Absences shall be reported to the rehearsal manager, Mrs. Trudi Bux, at 610-589-2838 before the rehearsal. Please leave a message if she is unavailable. Excused absences are illness, family emergency, academic interests, music commitment during rehearsal time. Anything else must be approved by the Music Director. Advance written notice of absence may be required.

4. Members are required to take music home to practice. There shall be no assigned folders left in the rehearsal hall after rehearsals. Take your orchestra music to your private teacher if necessary.

5. Rehearsals are not practice – practice your music at home and come to rehearsals knowing the notes. You may be asked to demonstrate for the entire orchestra, so come prepared.

6. Bring a pencil and a music stand to ALL rehearsals.

7. Lost or damaged music will be replaced at the cost of replacement, and at the expense of the responsible individual.

8. All string players should bring a mute to all rehearsals. Brass players should be aware of requirements for your part.

9. Make careful note of all rehearsal dates and locations in your personal calendar when you receive your schedule.

10. CONCERT DRESS: Boys: tuxedo or black suit, white shirt, black bow tie, black socks and black dress shoes. Girls: A long black dress(no shorter than between the ankle and the calf)with sleeves no shorter than elbow length and modest neckline, or long black skirt (no shorter than between the ankle and calf), or black full cut dress slacks and a black top with sleeves no shorter than elbow length and modest neckline, black or neutral stockings, and black shoes.

11. Tuition of $170 includes a subscription to the RSO Saturday evening concerts as well as membership in the parents Association. Students are expected to attend these concerts as part of their commitment to the RSYO. Parents are entitles to 25% off concert tickets. RSYO/RSJSO PUBLICITY AGREEMENT

THIS AGREEMENT made as of ______(date) by ______and ______, parents/legal guardians, hereinafter referred to as GUARDIANS, of the person and estate of ______(student), a minor, hereinafter referred to as Orchestra Member, and the Reading Symphony Youth Orchestra (RSYO) or the Reading Symphony Junior String Orchestra (RSJSO).

This agreement constitutes permission to use rehearsal, press, and production photos of Orchestra Member for general distribution. GUARDIANS hereby grant the RSYO or the RSJSO all rights to use, reproduce, photograph, record, and otherwise disseminate any aspect of Orchestra Member’s performance, it being understood that no compensation be made for this use.

In addition, this agreement constitutes permission to share member roster information containing student contact numbers including telephone numbers and E-mail addresses, when applicable, with other Orchestra Members and Guardians as needed to enhance communication between these parties as related to rehearsal schedules, meeting dates, tour information and other related events. At no time will this information be sold to advertising or other for-profit agencies.

THIS AGREEMENT SHALL BE BINDING ON SAID MINOR, SAID GUARDIANS, AND THEIR SUCCESSORS.

READING SYMPHONY YOUTH ORCHESTRA READING SYMPHONY JUNIOR SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA

Parent/Guardian Date

Parent/Guardian Date 2006-2007 Contacts Website: www.ReadingSymphonyYouth.org

Co-Presidents Snack Coordinator George & Susan Lamb Karen Tripolitis 610-987-9331 (cell 610-334-4947) 610-385-4642 [email protected] [email protected]

Vice President & Concert Committee Ads/Patrons Teresa Hoffman 610-944-9289 [email protected]

Secretary Music Librarians Debbie Detweiler Cindy Catagnus 610-582-5844 910-944-6041 [email protected] Tammy Eshbach 610-921-3748 Treasurer [email protected] Armin Surti 610-670-2737 [email protected] RSO Education Committee Jay and Diane Roberts Rehearsal Manager 610-987-6117 Trudi Bux [email protected] 610-589-2838 [email protected] David & Marie Setley 610-775-9715 [email protected] Fundraising Donna Endress Bob Miller 610-582-3318 610-775-4413 [email protected] [email protected]

Jana Styer Webmaster 610-775-1568 Bailey Jones [email protected] [email protected]

Assistant Webmaster RSO Secretary Brad Boltz Melissa Potts 610-777-8279 610-373-7557 [email protected] [email protected]