A youth orchestra was the dream expressed by Maestro Anthony Parnther when he was interviewed for the conductor position with the San Bernardino Symphony Orchestra. That dream is finally coming to fruition.
On the heels of a youth wind ensemble – assembled by former symphony board member Dr. Nicholas Bratcher – and at the request of parents of strings, brass and percussion students, the symphony has invited Dr. Lucy Lewis, a former board member and substitute orchestra player, to consider the role of director of a youth orchestra. Lewis, professor of violin/viola and director of Orchestral Studies at Cal State San Bernardino, was quick to accept.
“We are exceptionally proud of our Inland Empire youth,” Dr. Lewis said, “and are excited to be launching the San Bernardino Symphony Youth Orchestra as a creative space for motivated young musicians to further develop their talents. This ensemble will provide students with a nurturing environment that both challenges and inspires them to the highest standards of music-making and professionalism, while simultaneously bringing the community together to support quality music education.”
Placement in the San Bernardino Youth Symphony Orchestra will be determined at auditions which will be held on Wednesday, Aug. 28 and Sept. 4, 2024, from 4:00 to 8:00 p.m. at San Bernardino Valley College in North Hall, 701 S. Mt. Vernon Avenue in San Bernardino. The deadline to sign up for an audition on Wednesday, Aug. 28, is Tuesday, Aug. 27, 11:59 p.m. The deadline to sign up for an audition on Wednesday, Sept. 4, is Tuesday, Sept. 3, 11:59 p.m. Sign-ups must be scheduled through the symphony’s website at https://www.sanbernardinosymphony.org/symphony-youth-orchestra.
Auditioners must be students ranging in age from 14 to 18 from the Inland Empire, Coachella Valley and surrounding areas. Auditions will be held for flute/piccolo, clarinet/bass clarinet, oboe/English horn, bassoon/contrabassoon, alto/tenor saxophone, French horn, trumpet, tenor/bass trombone, euphonium, tuba, percussion, harp, keyboard, violin, viola, cello and double bass.
All auditioners should prepare a three-octave scale and arpeggio (two-octave for brass and double bassists) in the key of the student’s choosing, along with one piece or excerpt that the auditioner feels best represents their current playing level. Auditioners should also prepare for a sight-reading which will be given in the audition.
Orientation for those accepted will take place on Sept. 8. Thereafter, the San Bernardino Symphony Youth Orchestra will rehearse Sundays from 2:00 to 5:00 p.m. at San Bernardino Valley College in North Hall, Room 164. Their first concert will take place at the San Bernardino Valley College auditorium on Sunday, Dec. 15 at 3 p.m.
“We are honored to have the opportunity to nurture the next generation of young orchestral musicians in San Bernardino, and we hope you will join us, if not in the ensemble, then at a concert!” Lewis said.
For more information, please contact SBSYO@sanbernardinosymphony.org.
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