Facebook SydneyYouthOrchestras Instagram SYOrchestras Handbook 2020 Y

182 Cumberland Street, The Rocks NSW 2000 T 02 9251 2422 E [email protected]

syo.com.au Sydney Orchestras Youth Photo: Craig Proudford Photo: O What is this book?

This handbook contains all the basics you need to know about being a member of the Sydney Youth Orchestras.

In the following pages you can find information about rehearsals and concerts.

You can learn about your responsibilities towards SYO, as well as SYO’s responsibilities towards you.

Keep this handbook in your music folder or instrument case!

3 About SYO Orchestras and Ensembles

History Stage 1, SYO Strings Sydney Youth Orchestras is the leading orchestral Stage 1 is where many young players gain their first ensemble training provider in New South Wales. 1 experience. In this Stage, young musicians are introduced to playing in an instrumental section and learn vital ensemble It was founded in 1973 by the visionary music educator and skills. Through exposure to music with a range of technical conductor, Peter Seymour. Since then it has grown to become requirements, players in Stage One will develop rhythmic a community of hundreds of young musicians, aged 6-24, from and tonal skills and learn to interpret basic dynamic and all over Sydney and beyond. We gather for weekly rehearsals style markings. in many different ensembles carefully allocated to match skill, age, experience and instrumental mix. Stage 2, SYO Strings Students in Stage 2 are introduced to increasingly complex How are we run? 2 orchestral concepts and refine the skills required to effectively Sydney Youth Orchestras is a not-for-profit incorporated and confidently sight read, progressively master challenging association overseen by a volunteer board that meets on rhythms, and interpret musical markings with deeper stylistic a 6 weekly basis. SYO’s daily business is conducted by the understanding. Board’s management team and music educational staff.

Sydney Youth Orchestras Board Stage 3, SYO Strings Shane Simpson AM – Chair Stage 3 offers intermediate players the chance to further Anthony Bell – Deputy Chair 3 develop their ensemble playing while extending their technical Ursula Armstrong and aural skills. These musicians will discover a range of Geraldine Doogue AO increasingly challenging and engaging repertoire, demanding Tim Downing technical proficiency, superior ensemble skills and Wallis Graham a sophisticated knowledge of style. Greg Levy Malcolm Long AM Jon North Stage 4, SYO Strings (Sinfonia Project) Pieter Oomens Stage 4 is the springboard to the Symphonic Orchestral 4 Program. Players in Stage Four explore core repertoire from Patron the baroque to late romantic periods, requiring a mature Her Excellency the Honourable Margaret Beazley AO QC, understanding of orchestral playing and strong technical skills. Governor of New South Wales Stage 4 will also undertake Symphonic Projects with Wind, Brass and Percussion musicians from the Symphonic Wind Orchestra. The Annual General Meeting is held in June each year and all members, parents and guardians are welcome to attend. In 2020 our SYO Strings Program Conductors are Kathryn How are we funded? Crossing, Joanne Waples, Peter Corkill, Rachel Pogson, Victoria Less than 10% of SYO income is currently funded by Jacono-Gilmovich, Jonathan Whitting and Niamh Armstrong. Create NSW, and 30% is from participation fees. All remaining income is generated through sponsorship, donations, ticket sales, performance fees and other fundraising activities.

4 5 Symphonic Orchestral Training Program

Under the leadership of respected music educator and conductor, James Pensini, Western Sydney musicians focus on the essentials of orchestral playing and performance, tackling repertoire ranging from the Baroque to Romantic periods.

Peter Seymour Orchestra The Peter Seymour Orchestra (PSO), named after the founder of the Sydney Youth Orchestras, is where many of our musicians will get their first chance to tackle core orchestral repertoire. Under the leadership of the inspiring John Ockwell, you will have the opportunity to learn the foundations of orchestral training – instrumental technique, ensemble skills, understanding of style and symphonic form, sight reading, listening and communication skills.

SYO Philharmonic The SYO Philharmonic (SYOP) is the organisation’s second most senior ensemble, a full symphony orchestra led by acclaimed Australian conductor, composer and educator, Brian Buggy OAM. In the Philharmonic musicians hone their orchestral technique and ensemble skills with masterpieces of the orchestral canon. The SYO Philharmonic explore a challenging and diverse body of works, ranging from the Late-Romantic masters such as Wagner, Brahms and Tchaikovsky, to Symphonic Wind Orchestra twentieth century composers including Shostakovich, The Symphonic Wind Orchestra (SWO) provides an Holst and Prokofiev. opportunity young wind and brass musicians from across NSW to extend their skills as instrumentalists. The Sydney Youth Orchestra Under the baton of respected educator and conductor The Sydney Youth Orchestra is SYO’s most senior James Pensini, the Symphonic Wind Orchestra covers orchestra curated by Artisitc Director Christopher a diverse range of repertoire from popular 20th Lawrence and led by SYO’s chief conductor, Alexander Century film scores and jazz standards through to Briger AO and other guest conductors. The orchestra core orchestral repertoire. provides outstanding and intensive training and performance activities that lead to the continued Western Sydney Youth Orchestra development of a musician’s technical and artistic The Western Sydney Youth Orchestra (WYSO) is a excellence. thriving youth orchestra based in Parramatta, NSW. In addition to having weekly rehearsals and Sydney Youth Chamber Ensemble (SYCE) instrumental tutorials each term, WSYO frequently By invitation only, under the leadership of Principal collaborates with dance companies and cultural Cellist Umberto Clerici, he leads members of The groups, makes festival appearances, tours and takes Sydney Youth Orchestra and SYO alumnae in the stage at special events around Western Sydney. non-conventional venues for classical music.

6 7 Our Orchestras and Ensembles SYO Staff

Chief Executive Officer Chief Artistic Advisor Mia Patoulios Christopher Lawrence

Orchestral Training Team Orchestral Training The Sydney Youth Administration & Management Sydney Chamber Conductors Youth Ensemble Artistic Program SYO Strings Program Orchestra *by invitation only and Operations Manager Niamh Armstrong Katie Garman Peter Corkill Kathryn Crossing Orchestras Administrator Victoria Jacono-Gilmovich Laura Balthazar SYO Rachel Pogson Philharmonic Joanne Waples Orchestral Training Coordinator Jonathan Whitting Vanessa Agius

Productions and Symphony Orchestral Program Rehearsal Coordinator Andrew Collins Brian Buggy OAM SYO Philharmonic Development Team Symphonic Western Peter Seymour John Ockwell Wind Sydney Youth Executive Officer Orchestra Peter Seymour Orchestra Orchestra Orchestra Daniel Placido James Pensini Marketing and Events Manager Head of Orchestral Training Marita Cranwell Symphonic Wind Orchestra, Western Sydney Youth Orchestra Marketing and Development Coordinator Alexander Briger AO Natalie Fiorini Stage 4 Chief Conductor Sinfonia The Sydney Youth Orchestra Donors and Partnerships Coordinator Stage 3 Benjamin Northey Bethany Bulcock SYO Guest Conductor Strings Toby Thatcher Your Contacts Stage 2 Guest Conductor SYO Email Strings Umberto Clerici [email protected] Conductor Phone Stage 1 Sydney Youth Chamber Ensemble SYO 02 9251 2422 Strings SYO Theory Tutors Bella Sheridan John Ockwell

8 9 General Information

Supervision First Aid & Medical Conditions SYO staff provide supervision for all participants during All musicians must keep SYO up to date with all medical scheduled activity hours. Rolls are taken at the beginning of and dietary information. It is the musician's responsibility to all activities. Drop off and collection locations and times will inform SYO should significant medical information need to be communicated to musicians in advance of all rehearsals, be communicated, including Anaphylaxis Emergency plans. concerts and other SYO activities. SYO cannot guarantee that Any musician needing medical assistance must inform staff staff will be available to supervise musicians arriving/departing immediately in order for SYO Staff on site to be able to outside of advertised activities times. It is the responsibility administer First Aid if required. of the participants’ parents and/or guardians to ensure that participants are supervised prior to and following all SYO All SYO Operations staff managing rehearsals, camps and tours activities. have First Aid training.

Volunteering Administration Please contact SYO if you would be interested in making a It is the participants and their parents/guardian’s responsibility valued contribution as a volunteer at SYO rehearsals, camps, to ensure that SYO management and staff are aware of up-to- tours, and performances. date personal information, including address, contact details and medical information. Any parents on site at rehearsals, camps or tours must be rostered as a volunteer by SYO Operations Staff, must complete SYO cannot be held responsible for acting on information which a Volunteer Declaration online prior to any volunteer working, is out of date if the participant, parents or guardians have not and have a current NSW Working With Children Check (WWCC). advised SYO of changes. The WWCC comes at no cost to volunteers, must be supplied to SYO prior to commencement of duties. As a best practice child All music parts (written or printed) are the property of Sydney safe organisation, no person over 18 who is not an SYO musician Youth Orchestras and are to be returned to the Operations team is permitted at SYO activity unless in a registered volunteer at the end of each term or relevant special event. capacity. All participants must comply with the rules of any venue at Nut Free Zone which the orchestra/s may be rehearsing or performing. All SYO activity is nut-free. Parents and musicians must be aware of the food-stuffs they are packing for their breaks at SYO Management, in consultation with the relevant conductor(s) SYO rehearsals and on camps and tours. Items containing and staff, has the discretion to deal with any breaches of this peanuts or tree nuts are not permitted at SYO activity. code in an appropriate manner, and may impose disciplinary measures such as the exclusion from the orchestra for any program, event or activity on a short-term or permanent basis. If a participant is excluded from any program, event or activity there will be no refund of participation contributions.

10 11 Rehearsals

It is the responsibility of parents/guardians to ensure SYO operates during NSW Department of Education School Terms. that players under the age of 18 travel safely to and from rehearsals. For members over 18 this is your Please arrive at least 15 minutes before rehearsals commence responsibility. If you are interested in being invited to tune, warm up and ensure all music is organised. to the car pool list, please contact [email protected]

What to bring Please Note: SYO takes no responsibility for carpooling. We facilitate a point of contact for families  Your Instrument only. SYO cannot be held liable for anything that  A snack for break time or money to purchase one from the Café occurs in relation to carpooling. (Santa Sabina Only - Open 10am-2pm on Saturdays)  A water bottle Parking and Access  Bring a 2B pencil and eraser every rehearsal There is no parking permitted for families or SYO members at SYO rehearsal venues, although street  Bring a music stand parking is available.  Percussion players are expected to provide their own mallets Public Transport Don't forget to label all your belongings Santa Sabina College is an approximate 10-minute walk from Strathfield Station. As a main transport hub, Please note that there are not enough stands at Santa Sabina therefore buses also travel to Strathfield from across Sydney’s all SYO members are required to bring their own stand, named and with an extra identifying mark. Please remember to take your stand at the end of Central and Inner West regions. the rehearsal as SYO cannot take responsibility for any lost music stands. Parramatta Town Hall is a 2-minute walk from Travel Parramatta Station. As a main transport hub, buses Orchestra Location Day Times also travel to Parramatta from North, North West and SYO Theory Santa Sabina College Sat 9-9.45am Western suburbs.

Stage 1 Santa Sabina College Sat 10am-12.30pm Tutorials Tutorials are small group rehearsals where players Stage 2 Santa Sabina College Sat 10am-12.30pm divide into their separate parts (eg violin 1, cellos, SYO Theory Santa Sabina College Sat 12-12.45pm woodwind). Tutti rehearsals are when the families combine into the full orchestral ensemble. Stage 3 Santa Sabina College Sat 1-4pm

Stage 4 Santa Sabina College Sat 1-4pm Tutorials are unique: players are mentored by Sydney’s best and most experienced orchestral musicians PSO Santa Sabina College Sat 1-4pm and professionals, many of whom are SYO alumni. Musicians learn the crucial skills of orchestral SWO Santa Sabina College Sat 1-4pm musicianship (eg matching and balance of timbre; SYOP Santa Sabina College Sun 2.30-5.30pm synchronised bowing and articulation; orchestral protocol within parts and sections; following the SYO Santa Sabina College Sun 1-2pm principal). Tutorials are irreplaceable in orchestral WSYO Parramatta Town Hall Tue 5.30-8.30pm training and an absent musician cannot replace the learning with individual practice. For your full orchestra schedule, please visit syo.com.au

12 13 Participants are expected to: If participants are absent/late for more than two rehearsals in a term, it is entirely • Ensure that they know their rehearsal at the discretion of the conductor whether schedule and have checked for any they are permitted to perform in the changes or updates within 24 hours concert being rehearsed. of each rehearsal and/or concert Attendance at rehearsals is vital for the • Be seated and ready to rehearse orchestra to develop and play properly. at the start of the call time. SYO will make every endeavour to give Note: Percussionists are required as much notice as possible of rehearsal 45 minutes prior to call time. For an schedules and to change them as little as example, if your rehearsal commences possible. at 1pm, percussionists arrive at 12.15pm, all other players no later than 12.45pm, Rehearsal Etiquette tuning to commence at 12.55pm and the rehearsal commences at 1pm Participants are expected to: • Seek permission at least two weeks • Have all mobile phones and electronic in advance of the activity, from the devices switched off and out of sight Operations Staff (not the Conductor) during rehearsals if they are unable to attend scheduled activity. This is done by completing the • Follow rehearsal etiquette, paying full online Absence Form located on the attention and not talking when the SYO website. Please note agreement conductor is working with the orchestra to requests of this nature is not • Setup and put away any special automatically guaranteed and will be equipment– this applies particularly treated on a case-by-case basis to double bass and percussion players • TEXT the SYO mobiles prior to the • Kept tidy rehearsal rooms, dressing Music commencement of the activity and rooms and performance venues Symphonic Orchestral Program musicians (SWO, PSO, advise of their situation if they are • Assist in packing-up at the end of WSYO, SYOP, SYO) can access practise parts online via their arriving late. They should always rehearsal. This means stacking chairs, Musician Portal. SYO strings will receive printed music from apologise to the conductor if they putting away stands, and clearing any their conductors. are late for an activity rubbish and water bottles. In the case of orchestras with percussion there may be Instruments • Musicians aged under 18 years are not a roster for packing away of percussion, SYO understands that the purchase of instruments is a huge permitted to leave the premises during ensuring that this essential task is done investment by a musician’s family. As such, SYO recommends their break unless accompanied by SYO quickly and efficiently that families put in place the appropriate insurances to cover staff or approved volunteers without your child’s cherished instrument. SYO does not accept ANY explicit, prior permission from their • Always come to the rehearsal with liability for damage to or loss of an instrument at SYO activity. parents or guardians. their parts prepared. • Not leave a rehearsal unless they Attendance absolutely have to – this means illness All SYO participants will have their attendance marked at or some other emergency. Other weekly rehearsals. Any unexplained absences will be followed commitments are not an acceptable up by SYO Staff during rehearsal time, directly following the excuse. If the participant needs to leave marking and collection of the roll. SYO has duty of care for all a rehearsal, they must ask the conductor musicians during activity time and must be aware where all to excuse them, and must tell a member students are at any given time during rehearsals, concerts, of SYO staff. camps and tours. 14 15 Concerts

All orchestras give multiple concerts every The Sydney Youth Orchestra year. These performances are mandatory Option 1 commitments for SYO musicians. • Floor length black dress. No strapless dresses or dresses that show bras or What to wear bra straps You must select from one of the options below. If you do not stick to the dress • Formal black shoes and black stockings code, you won’t be allowed on stage. (12 denier and above) Option 2 SYO Strings and Symphonic • Floor length formal black skirt. No skirt Orchestral Program splits above the knee. Any split should Option 1 be at the back of the skirt • Formal black dress that is long enough • Formal black top. No strapless tops. to fall below the knee when seated. Tops must cover the midriff and lower No strapless dresses. back at all times. • Formal black shoes and black stockings • Formal black dress shoes and black (12 denier and above) stockings (12 denier and above)

Option 2 Option 3 • Formal black skirt that is long enough • Formal black wide leg dress pants to fall below the knee when seated. • Formal black top No skirt splits above the knee. Any split • Formal black dress shoes & black socks should be at the back of the skirt Tours Option 4 • Formal black top. No strapless tops. • Black long sleeve collared shirt Tops must cover the midriff and lower • Black long tie Tour fees are paid in addition to International Tour back at all times, standing or sitting. • Black suit jacket participation fees. Musicians from the Symphonic Orchestral • Black suit pants Training Program and The Sydney Youth • Formal black dress shoes and black • Black belt Regional Tours Orchestra can apply to be selected on the stockings (12 denier and above) • Long black socks SYO musicians in the Symphonic International Tour Orchestra. SYO aims to Option 3 • Black dress shoes, polished Orchestral Training Program undertake tour internationally every second year with • Formal black dress pants several tours to our regional hubs each a focus on education with international • Formal black top Please No: Jeans, leggings, jeggings, year. In 2020 SYO will have three regional artists and orchestras. • Formal black dress shoes & black socks tight fitting pants (these tend to look like hubs in the Central West (Dubbo), leggings from a distance), items of clothing South Coast (Bermagui) and North West In 2021, the International Tour Orchestra Option 4 with logos, prints or visible textures. (Tamworth). will travel to Europe in April. • Black long sleeve collared shirt • Black suit pants Each tour is 4 days in duration and Full details of the Tour Itinerary can • Black belt consists of schools and community be viewed at syo.com.au • Long black socks concerts, workshops with local musicians • Black dress shoes, polished and opportunities for SYO musicians to • Jacket/black tie optional experience regional NSW.

16 17 Your safety at SYO

Professionalism and Commitment SYO encourage all participants to behave as a SYO Child professional orchestra member would behave. This means: Safe Policy • having a level of integrity and courtesy in what they do • showing respect to their fellow orchestra members, SYO SYO Child Safe ROSH their conductors and tutors, their audiences Guidelines Guidelines • And show respect to the organisation which supports the orchestra.

Staff, SYO SYO SYO takes the issue of conduct very seriously as the contractors participant Reportable reputation not only of the organisation, but of each of & volunteer Code of Conduct Code of participant individually, can be greatly enhanced or Conduct Procedures Conduct damaged depending on their behaviour.

Safe behaviour SYO is an organisation which recognises and encourages talent and wishes to ensure that all participants feel safe and supported in their learning.

Participants in SYO programs will NOT:

• Discriminate or vilify on the grounds of anyone’s race, colour, gender, sexual orientation, language, religion, social origin, political or other opinion and/or disability You and your family are our number one In the eyes of the law you are: priority for SYO. Your safety and wellbeing • a child if you are under 16 years • Cause, instruct, induce, incite, aid or permit any hatred is paramount to the organisation. • a young person if you are 16 and toward, show serious contempt for or severely ridicule either 17 years of age by means of physical harm (threaten and/or actual) to their SYO respects that your parents/guardians fellow participants or other person contacted to the program have primary responsibility for your • an adult if you are over 18. care. Our Child Safe Guidelines and • Intimidate, bully, cyber-bully or victimise, fellow participants Procedures recognise this role and call on SYO Musician Rules or other people connected to the program parents and guardians to communicate These are the rules you are always proactively and honestly with us about expected to behave by when at rehearsals, • Touch, film or take photographs of other participants without issues and concerns. concerts on tour or any time you can be the participant or participants parents or guardians’ consent identified as a musician of SYO. These • Use words or actions (both overt and covert) that are directed SYO is a child-related employer registered rules apply to everyone! towards another and intended to harm, distress, coerce or with the Office of the Children’s Guardian cause fear and follows the guidelines to be a Child Safe Organisation. • Yell, name-call, insult, use derogatory comments, physically interact with intention to annoy or harm or use all form of violence.

18 19 Your safety at SYO

Standards of behaviour • Be excused from participating in any What if it is an SYO Staff member SYO rehearsals or concerts for the or an adult who has broken a rule? SYO expects all participants to: remainder of that term, in consultation You can talk directly with the • Protect and promote the positive • Be aware that, to keep SYO with artistic staff (SYO conductors) Chief Executive Officer, Mia Patoulios at anytime: reputation of Sydney Youth Orchestras contributions as low as possible and • Be asked to leave SYO programs provide scholarships, SYO depends on • Perform all their duties to the best of permanently. Phone 02 9251 2422 (ask for Mia) sponsorship and philanthropy. At times their ability with honesty and care Email [email protected] participants may be asked to meet and/ What do you do if someone breaks one • Treat others as they would expect or perform for donors and sponsors. SYO of the SYO Rules? Any discussions will be confidential. to be treated will ensure that they are fully informed Tell someone! You must report unsafe for these events and in return ask that • Show compassion and empathy when behaviour to SYO staff, who will follow What will happen? as a participant of SYO they are always the SYO Pink Slip and Reportable Conduct SYO will talk with you, to work out the dealing with anyone facing a challenging positive ambassadors for the organisation situation Procedures. best way to help. • Abide by reasonable instructions, • Protect the privacy of their colleagues How can you tell SYO if something is organisational policies, Workplace Health SYO staff will remove any participant wrong, or someone has broken a rule? • Maintain confidentiality about the and Safety Regulations and common law. demonstrating unsafe behaviour during business of the organisation and not SYO activities, including camps or Face to face disclose unauthorised or inappropriate Sydney Youth Orchestras has a zero- tours, and contact parents/guardians There are always conductors, SYO staff information in any public arena, including tolerance policy towards the abuse of immediately. This includes behaviour that and volunteers available at your rehearsals Facebook, Twitter or any other online drugs and alcohol. has been reported by other participants and concerts, they will have a lanyard forum or volunteers. around their neck that identifies them Pink Slips • Understand that their behaviour in and as a person to talk to. SYO uses Pink Slips to record and There are no refunds of contributions, out of the orchestra can have a direct address beaches to this Participant for student who are asked to leave SYO impact for Sydney Youth Orchestras On the phone Code of Conduct. activities due to unacceptable behaviour. and the reputation, marketing ability or SYO Strings 0447 280 138 commercial appeal and viability of any Participants who breach the SYO SWO 0447 083 655 SYO is a mandatory reporting organisation concert or other event with which SYO Participant Code of Conduct may: PSO 0431 157 661 and is required by law to pass certain is involved information reported to us to the NSW • Be given a ‘pink slip’ by conductors, SYOP 0413 617 816 Department of Community Services. tutors and SYO staff The SYO 0447 671 119 WSYO 0439 375 118 • Have their parents/guardians contacted If you are over 18 if two pink slips are received During work hours As an adult there are some laws that now apply to you. If you breach the code of • Be required to attend a meeting Mon-Fri on 02 9251 2422 conduct or behave inappropriately towards with the SYO CEO and Head of a Child (under 16) or Young People (16- Orchestral Training. Online Email [email protected] 17) SYO may be required to report your This email goes only to the SYO CEO behaviour to the NSW Police, Office of the and will not be discussed with anyone NSW Ombudsman and NSW Department unless required by law. of Community Services (DOCS).

20 21 SYO Musician Cards & Benefits

As an SYO musician you receive a number of benefits from SYO and our Partners.

SYO Presented Concerts SYO offer discounted tickets to our members to encourage them to attend performances of their peers. An SYO Musician ticket costs $15.00 per performance at any SYO presented concert.

To buy online, select the SYO Musician ticket type and enter your Musician ID on the coloured side of your 2020 Musician Card (begins with 003).

For non-SYO presented concerts, information about discounts can be found in the Current Musicians section of syo.com.au and will be emailed to you.

Dendy Cinemas Present your SYO Musician card at the box office at Dendy Newtown to receive 20% off adult tickets (Not valid Sat after 5pm, public holidays, Dendy Arts, Dendy Lounge, Festivals, special events and premieres).

Idagio All SYO members receive a 3-month premium membership to IDAGIO, a music streaming service made specifically for the needs of classical music listeners.

To access this offer, create an account at www.idagio.com/join, go to Account Settings, add the code on the IDAGIO side of your SYO Musician card in the IDAGIO Subscription section, then enjoy the music! Look out in early 2020 for playlists curated by SYO artistic staff.

Positive Mental Health SYO and Northside Health Care Group have joined forces to promote positive mental health. During 2020 Professionals from Northside will be providing information and training sessions for musicians and their families focused on Performance Anxiety, Stress Management and Building Mental Health Reliance.

SYO are constantly working on expanding the benefits that you receive as an SYO Musician. You can find your musician benefits in the Current Musicians section of syo.com.au

Sydney Youth Orchestras is supported by the NSW Government through Create NSW. 13