Minnesota Youth Symphonies

2011 MYS Summer Program

The MYS Summer Program is designed to broaden musical perspective, develop musical skills and feed the imagination in a fun setting! You do not need to be a member of the school year program to participate. No audition is required. Registration online is now available!
Click here to download the summer brochure.

Summer Reading Orchestra | Chamber Strings | Composition | General Info | Registration

Summer Reading Orchestra with Manny Laureano—CANCELLED due to low registration.

Manny Laureano, conductor
Mondays, June 20, 27, July 11, 18, and 25
6:30pm-9:00pm • $130
Registration Deadline: Friday, June 10, 2011

Are you an orchestra musician who wants a preview of what it’s like to play in MYS?
Are you an MYS student interested in honing your sight-reading chops? Then this is the
class for you. Spend Monday evenings reading familiar (and unfamiliar) orchestral repertoire. Reading the works of great composers on a weekly basis will enhance the skill of reading at first sight, an important part of an aspiring music student’s learning experience. This will also help you gain knowledge of varying composers’ styles while you are advancing your musical technique. Attendance is an important commitment in order to make the readings as fulfilling as possible. Regular attendance of all 5 sessions is highly recommended as a courtesy to all involved. Works to be read will be determined after the first rehearsal when the group’s level is discerned. A public performance will be held. You do not need to be a member of MYS to participate in the Reading Orchestra. Class is open to all instruments and students in grades 9-12. Participants should be playing at the MYS Philharmonic Orchestra level or higher.

Beginning Chamber Strings

Patricia Kelly, Conductor
July 11-22, Monday-Friday • 9:30am-noon • $195
Registration Deadline: Still Accepting Registrations!

This course provides a beginning ensemble experience for the advanced-beginner string player who has little or no experience playing in a group. Class is open to violin, viola, cello and bass students in elementary and middle school.
Students should be at a level comparable to the middle of Suzuki (violin) book 2 to book 3, and should be able to play and read notes on all four strings with at least the first two finger patterns. Students should understand basic concepts such as dynamics, bowings (including slurred and hooked bows) and key signatures D, G and C major. Students should be able to count and read rhythms. There will be sight-reading to help build strong reading skills. Students will develop ensemble skills including listening and counting together, watching the conductor, and working on dynamics, phrasing and interpretation of different pieces. Class includes a field trip to Orchestra Hall to hear the Minnesota Orchestra in rehearsal. An informal presentation of the students’ work will be held the last day of class.

Composition

Terry Burk, Instructor
July 11-22, Monday-Friday • 9:00am-12:30pm • $250
Registration Deadline: Still Accepting Registrations!

This is a course where beginning and experienced students alike can develop their compositional skills. One-on-one and small-group lessons will be offered along with independent study. This class is open to students in grades 2 through 12. Students also need to be able to perform music on at least one instrument or by singing, and have experience in reading notes and rhythms. Students are encouraged to develop their own unique composition style, though instruction in traditional “Beethoven-style” harmonization can be offered to students who want it. Students will use electronic keyboards and computer notation software. Class includes a field trip to Orchestra Hall to hear the Minnesota Orchestra in rehearsal. An informal presentation of the students’ work will be held the last day of class.

General Program Information

Class Location: St. Luke Lutheran Church, 1807 Field Avenue, St. Paul, MN 55116.

Cancellation Policy: MYS reserves the right to cancel a class because of insufficient enrollment. If MYS cancels a class or if the class is already filled, you will be issued a full refund. If the participant initiates the cancellation after the registration deadline date has passed or after the class begins, no refund will be issued.

IMPORTANT: Your summer program registration is not confirmed until you have submitted payment. There is a 10% discount for families with multiple children enrolled in the program. To discuss payment options and scholarship opportunities, contact MYS at 651-699-5811.

For tuition assistance for MYS Summer Programs, please click here to download a scholarship application form. Please contact the MYS office if you have any questions.