MYS Ensembles

OVERTURE STRINGS

This strings-only ensemble is for players who have at least one year of experience with their instruments. Prior ensemble experience is not required, but players are expected to have basic music-reading skills and to know how to play in keys up to two sharps. Musicians in Overture will work on advancing their technical and musical knowledge, and be introduced to concepts such as following a conductor, music theory and how to listen and play. Teamwork is emphasized in a supportive environment.

INTERLUDE ORCHESTRA

Musicians in this full orchestra (strings, woodwinds, brass and percussion) will be reading music in the keys up to three sharps. They should play with a nice tone, accurate intonation and have good rhythm skills. Musicians should be able to respond to changes in dynamics, tempo, and meter. Rhythms will include triplets, 16th notes, and dotted rhythms. Interlude performs three concerts a year and takes a day tour in the spring.

Specific skills for joining INTERLUDE:
• Good music-reading skill.
• The ability to concentrate for at least 2 hours.
• String players: starting to develop shifting into positions and vibrato.
• Woodwinds and brass: should have good tone and articulation and perform at Concert Band level.

VIVALDI STRINGS

Vivaldi is a strings-only chamber orchestra that plays a wide variety of music, from baroque to contemporary. Players are expected to have strong skills in sight-reading, intonation and rhythm, and must be able to tune their own instrument. Previous ensemble experience is recommended. Vivaldi Strings performs three concerts a year plus additional outreach performances.

Specific skills for joining VIVALDI STRINGS:
• Knowledge of positions three through five (violins).
• Knowledge of third position (viola).
• Knowledge of positions two through five (cello).
• Control of vibrato.

CONCERT ORCHESTRA

This fulll orchestra performs challenging unabridged pieces from the standard orchestral repertoire. All Concert Orchestra members must show a high proficiency in their playing and be able to demonstrate the full range of abilities for their instrument. Appropriate instruments should be comfortable transposing and playing in multiple clefs (see below). Woodwinds and brass must perform at Symphonic Band level. Concert Orchestra performs three concerts a year and is the featured ensemble at MYS's fabulous Viennese Ball. It is recommended that all Concert Orchestra players take private lessons.

Specific skills for joining Concert Orchestra:
• Violists must be able to play in treble clef.
• Cellists must be able to play in tenor clef.
• Flute players may be asked to play piccolo.*
• Clarinet players may need an A Clarinet. *
• Oboe players may be asked to play English Horn.

SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA

The Symphony Orchestra is reserved for highly-advanced players who exhibit sophisticated musical and technical abilities. This ensemble requires a high level of self-discipline and private lessons are required. The Symphony performs masterpieces from the standard orchestral repertoire and the great choral works, and presents three concerts each season in the Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall, plus additional mini-tours, outreach concerts and international tours.

Symphony Players must have all skills required for lower groups, AND
• Violists must be able to fluently read and play in treble clef.
• Cellists must be able to fluently read and play in tenor AND treble clefs.
• Bassoonists & trombonists must be able to read and play in tenor clef.
• French horn, trumpet & clarinet players must have excellent transposing skills.
• Flute players may be asked to play piccolo.*
• Clarinet players should have access to an A Clarinet. *
• Oboe players may be asked to play English Horn.*

*MYS owns some instruments that may be available for loan, but serious students should consider purchasing their own.

The members of this small string ensemble are outreach ambassadors for the Metropolitan Youth Symphony. These dedicated young musicians enjoy playing and performing chamber orchestra music in and around the Portland area. The group performs outreach concerts for school children, at benefit concerts and special events, and through the summer presents free concerts through Portland Parks and Recreation. MYSfits is for current MYS musicians who enjoy a small ensemble setting and who wish to expand their musical experience and repertoire. Players must be in either Concert Orchestra or Symphony to apply; new members are auditioned as openings are available.

More information about MYSfits.

SOUSA BAND

This beginning band helps young woodwind, brass and percussion players develop a fundamental knowledge of music and gives them the opportunity to work on basic playing skills in a supportive environment. The ensemble is particularly appropriate for students with at least one year experience who are either taking private lessons or about to begin private lessons. The players are expected to be know the notes for key signatures using up to three flats and one sharp. Sousa Band prepares musicians for the more advanced music that is encountered in Concert Band. The Sousa Band performs at least three concerts each year.

CONCERT BAND

The brass, percussion and woodwind players in Concert Band should have at least two years of experience with their instrument and should be able to play in keys of up to four flats and two sharps. Concert Band challenges young musicians with music from the standard wind ensemble repertoire as well as arrangements of contemporary favorites. Players who are interested in orchestra training will be selected from Concert Band to play in Interlude Orchestra. Concert Band performs on three MYS concerts each year.

SYMPHONIC BAND

This full band is the premier wind ensemble of the MYS organization. The Symphonic Band plays advanced level wind repertoire, and members are expected to have excellent skills in all areas of their instruments. Private lessons are required for musicians in Symphonic Band. Those players that meet the requirements and wish to enhance their musical training with an orchestral experience will be selected from Symphonic Band to play in the Concert and Symphony Orchestras. Symphonic Band performs three concerts each season at the Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall, in addition to concerts at venues in the community and on international tours.

JAZZ ORCHESTRAS I & II

MYS jazz orchestras are big band-style groups that play in competitions and festivals and at clubs around Portland, in addition to appearing on the MYS concert series. JAZZ I is one of the best youth jazz orchestras in the Portland area, and many members of this ensemble go on to prestigious music schools and professional careers in the music field after they leave MYS. Limited numbers of players are accepted into the MYS Jazz Program each year, and auditions for both of these ensembles are competitive.

FLUTE CHOIR and FLUTE TROUPE

These two ensembles give flutists opportunities to play most of the flutes in the flute family, including piccolo, alto flute and bass flute, in addition to the familiar C flute. Flute Choir, the larger of the two ensembles, requires a skill level at Concert Band or higher; Flute Troupe is the more elite, and is for advanced players. Many players choose to participate in a flute ensemble in addition to their band and/or orchestra playing. Flutists explore a wide variety of musical styles as they develop their technical and ensemble skills. Both groups perform several times a year on MYS concerts, flute recitals and for special outreach events.