TOPEKA SYMPHONY YOUTH ENSEMBLES   Youth Ensembles History The Topeka Symphony Youth Orchestra was formed in 1957, just 11 years after the Topeka Symphony Orchestra’s first season.  “Providing educational and performance opportunities for youth” has been an important priority of the Topeka Symphony Society since very early in its history.  The Youth Orchestra was established to encourage talented young musicians to pursue their musical interests. The Topeka Symphony Debut Orchestra was formed in 1998 to meet the needs of a growing number of young string instrument players. Two years later, the Youth Philharmonic was formed to serve primarily middle school aged string musicians. It is the preparatory orchestra for the Topeka Symphony Youth Orchestra.  Youth Ensembles Auditions for 2008-2009 An audition is required each season to participate in the Youth Orchestra, Youth Philharmonic, and Debut Orchestra. Auditions determine to which orchestra each musician will be assigned. Auditions for the 2008-2009 season will be August 23, 2008. Please review the documents listed below. Contact the Topeka Symphony office at tso@topekasymphony.org or 785-232-2032 if you have questions.          Audition Memo   Audition Registration Form    Youth Ensembles Handbook Tuition Once a musician has been accepted into one of the orchestras, there is a non-refundable tuition fee of $75 for each student per year, which includes music charges and rental. Tuition assistance is available for those families with a need. Membership Requirements Any musician 21 years of age and younger may audition for one of the three Youth Ensembles.  To be a member of one of these ensembles, a student who plays a string instrument agrees to play in his or her school orchestra, if available, and a student who plays a wind, brass or percussion instrument agrees to play in his or her school band, if available. This requirement may be waived by the school conductor if there are extenuating circumstances. A signed letter from the appropriate school conductor excusing the student from the school orchestra or band must be sent to the Topeka Symphony office prior to the first Youth Ensemble rehearsal. A musician whose school does not have a music program for his/her instrument is strongly encouraged to participate in other musical ensembles.   Rehearsal and Concert Schedule Rehearsals will take place on Tuesdays starting September 2 during the 2008-2009 season, at the following times and locations: Rehearsals  Youth Orchestra: White Concert Hall, 6:15 p.m. – 8:15 p.m. Youth Philharmonic: Band Room, 6:15 p.m. – 7:45 p.m. Debut Orchestra: White Concert Hall, 4:45 p.m. – 5:45 p.m Concerts Sunday, November 16, 2008, White Concert Hall at 2:00 p.m. Sunday, March 8, 2009, White Concert Hall at 2:00 p.m.     The Topeka Symphony Youth Orchestra Steven Elisha  Conductor The Topeka Symphony Youth Orchestra convened for the first time in 1957, under the sponsorship of the Topeka Symphony Society and led by Mr. Robert Hallman. Its mission is to provide young musicians the opportunity to play in a symphony orchestra with their peers from high schools throughout northeastern Kansas. Directed by Steven Elisha, the orchestra today boasts over 70 members from the Topeka area and northeast Kansas. The Topeka Symphony Youth Philharmonic Carolyn Rich Voth  Conductor To meet the growing demand for high quality orchestral experiences for youth, in the year 2000 the Topeka Symphony expanded its Youth Ensembles Program to include a third group, the Youth Philharmonic. The Philharmonic is the preparatory orchestra for the Topeka Symphony Youth Orchestra. The Topeka Symphony Debut Orchestra Carolyn Sandquist  Conductor The Debut Orchestra was formed in 1998 to satisfy the needs of a growing number of young stringed instrument players. The Debut Orchestra is a string orchestra of violins, violas, cellos, and basses.

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