Music educators agree on the importance of cultivating young string musicians at an early age. Playing an instrument increases reasoning skills and builds teamwork, discipline, cooperation and a sense of belonging. Learning to make music encourages creativity. More importantly, it’s just plain fun.

The Corvallis Youth Symphony Association provides direction and support for the Elementary Strings (ES), Levels 1, 2, and 2 Advanced. All public, private, and home school students in third, fourth, and fifth grades are invited to enroll in Elementary Strings classes. Parents are encouraged to register for classes with their children.

Strings instruction for Levels 1, 2, and 2 Advanced consists of two 45-minute classes per week. Classes begin the first week of October. Instruments can be rented locally. The cost of instrument rental is not included.

Payment Plans

Payments may be made in full ($320) or monthly ($45). A $15 materials fee is required. The ES program includes twice weekly group instruction sessions and many wonderful performance opportunities.

We want all students to participate in Elementary Strings regardless of financial considerations. Any questions should be emailed to elementarystrings@gmail.com or call (541) 766-4903 for more information. To ensure that all students can participate in this enrichment activity, we welcome tax-deductible donations from our Elementary Strings parents.

The Corvallis Youth Symphony Association is a tax-exempt 501c(3) organization.

Registration

The Elementary Strings Kick-Off Night is at the Corvallis High School Auditorium on Tuesday September 28, 2010, from 7-8:30pm.

Staff

Anne Ridlington, instructor
Rosanne Smith, instructor

The Corvallis Youth Symphony (CYS) was founded in 1982 by Charles Creighton to provide talented students with musical experiences to enhance and extend music education in the schools.

Beginning that year with forty-four students from two local high schools, CYS has since grown to over seventy students from schools throughout the mid-Willamette Valley and the central coast.

Training

CYS students receive exceptional orchestra training. The conductor, Charles Creighton, selects standard classical repertoire which will challenge and inspire students. Several times a year, sectional rehearsals are held (i.e., each section of the orchestra rehearses by itself) and for these rehearsals, professional musicians from Oregon orchestras and faculty from area music schools are brought in to coach the students.

Performances

CYS gives two formal concerts each year and hosts a Classical Cabaret in March. Guest artists who have performed with CYS include The Amelia Piano Trio, the composer Alan Hovhaness, conductor Hans-Dieter Resch, and pianists Daniel Epstein, and Tian Ying. February 2006 saw the return of Pink Martini and CYS. In 2007, CYS premiered a new “Triple” Concerto by composer Daron Hagen. In 2008 we introduced our audience to the full orchestral music of Kenji Bunch. CYS will perform in concert at the Corvallis High School Performing Arts Center December 5, 2010, at 3pm. CYS will perform in concert with JHS at the LaSells Stewart Center on the OSU Campus May 1, 2011, at 7:30pm.

Membership

Membership in CYS is by audition only. Students admitted into CYS are required to participate in their school band or orchestra, if their school has one.

Fees

Fees for participation in CYS are $385/year. Limited financial aid is available. Rehearsals are held on Monday evenings from 6:30 to 9:00 at Crescent Valley High School.

Some scholarships are awarded each year for additional training, such as summer music camp or private lessons with a special teacher.

Conductor

Charles Creighton

The Willamette Valley Junior Honors Symphony (WVJHS) was founded in 1985 by two public school strings teachers, Carol Huntington and Liane Ingalls, who wanted to provide middle school students with the opportunity to perform in a full symphonic ensemble. The program served a very real need in a community which enthusiastically supported music for children, and the program grew.

WVJHS is now under the aegis of the Corvallis Youth Symphony Association and has broadened its membership to include a wider age span. Typically, the orchestra has over 60 musicians from grades six to ten. Students audition in January and rehearsals run February through April.

Performances

WVJHS will perform in concert with CYS at the LaSells Stewart Center on the OSU Campus May 1, 2011. Rehearsals are held on Tuesdays from 7:00pm to 8:30pm at Crescent Valley High School.

Fees

The tuition for the WVJHS is $180 for the spring 2011 term season.

Conductor

Andy Nelson has been teaching in Albany since 1996. During eight of those years, he was the band director at both North Albany Middle School and West Albany High School. He now teaches full time at NAMS. Prior to teaching in Albany, Mr. Nelson taught band for grades 5-12 in Weiser, Idaho. His professional experience also includes: past chair of Oregon Music Educators Association District XI, clinician/judge for several area band and solo festivals, and Symphonic Band Director at Northwest Band Camp at Twin Rocks.