THE HOCHSTEIN YOUTH

SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA

Membership Handbook
2009-2010

Nancy Strelau, Music Director
Evan Meccarello, Asisstant Conductor
Mia Young, Conducting Apprentice
Nancy Schollnick, Orchestra Manager
Barbara Hull, Brass Coach
Glennda Dove-Pellito, Woodwind Coach

• Mission Statement
  
• Membership Guidelines
  
• Attendance Policy
  
• Commitment
  
• Area All-State and Area All county competitions
  
• Hochstein/Nazareth CMP Conducting Project
  
• Virtuosi Scholarship Chamber Orchestra
  
• Inclement Weather
  
• Communications
  
• 2009-2010 HYSO Concerto Competition
  
• Travel
  
• Concert Attire
  
• Phone Numbers
  
• Billing Information
  
• Rehearsal Preparation
  
• Rehearsal/Concert Schedule
  
  

Mission Statement

The Hochstein Youth Symphony Orchestra offers orchestral training to the advanced string, wind, and percussion student through rehearsal and performance of standard orchestral repertoire.

Membership Guidelines

Enrollment

Enrollment is by audition only and is open to students in junior and senior high school. Auditions are held in late spring and, in some circumstances, the fall.

Each HYSO student MUST BE a member of their appropriate school music ensemble (i.e. string students must participate in their school orchestra, wind and percussion students must participate in their school band and /or orchestra). The only exceptions are for students whose school does not have a music program, or in cases of home schooling.

Each student should be studying his or her instrument on a private basis. The Hochstein School of Music & Dance offers a discount on youth orchestra tuition to orchestra members taking private lessons through the music school. Please call the main office (454-4596) for information on available teachers.

Attendance Policy

Because each member is important and vital to the success and growth of the group, it is imperative that students attend every rehearsal. If there is an event that cannot be rescheduled and requires a student to miss a rehearsal, the manager must receive the excuse in writing no later than two weeks prior to that date. Please be aware of all rehearsals and schedule your events and activities around them. If you have an unavoidable conflict, always try to find a compromise between our rehearsal and the other activity (e.g. all day school musical technical rehearsal: attend HYSO rehearsal 9:00–11:30 am, go to musical tech rehearsal 12:30 pm–4:00 pm).

It is mandatory that each member make every effort to make each and every rehearsal throughout the season. An excused absence from rehearsal may be an all-county or area all-state rehearsal, illness, SAT’s, band trip, etc. If a student has more than three absences, the conductor will then contact the student and discuss future obligations. If a student has an illegal absence (anything other than an excused absence) he/she will meet with the conductor and discuss their future with the group.

There are several Sunday rehearsals scheduled this season to help students avoid conflicts with Area All-State and All-County Festivals. It is our hope that these Sunday rehearsals will alleviate some the demands put on Saturday mornings and improve overall rehearsal attendance over the course of the year.

SENIORS: We would appreciate it if in planning auditions for colleges from November through March, you would consolidate some of your interviews/auditions on a weekend in which you miss HYSO rehearsal. We have 30 seniors in any given year and this presents a huge challenge to the quality of the orchestra when we have repeated absences due to auditions.

Commitment

Your artistic commitment to the group means that you are prepared for each week’s rehearsal. You need to practice your parts and work on difficult passages with your private teacher during the week. You will receive an email by 4:00 pm on Monday each week outlining specific pieces/passages to practice for the next rehearsal as well as rehearsal order.

Area All-State and Area All-County Competitions

When being excused for Area All-State and Area All-County Ensemble the student should fill out an excuse form as soon as possible and put it in the HYSO check-in box.  Note: When signing up for NYSSMA solo festival, ask that your teacher signs you up for FRIDAY EVENING OR LATE SATURDAY AFTERNOON.

Hochstein/Nazareth CMP Conducting Project

Current HYSO members may apply for the opportunity to conduct VSCO in fall, 2010. Applications are available in the spring for the following season. A conducting apprentice position is awarded to a student who will take conducting lessons and conduct HYSO and VSCO throughout the year.

Four additional students will be selected to receive lessons and conduct VSCO for a fee through the Nazareth Community Music Program. More information will be available in May, 2009.

Virtuosi Scholarship Chamber Orchestra (VSCO)

Purpose:

• To provide a setting available to HYSO conducting students.
  
• To provide a high level of string chamber orchestra expereince for our HYSO string students.
  
• To expose orchestra students to conducting concepts and how they relate to the orchestral muscian.
  
• To provide a short term chamber orchestra experience.

VSCO 2009-2010 Rehearsal & Concert Dates:

Friday Rehearsals: 10/2, 10/09, 10/16, 10/30, 11/6, 11/13

Concert: Friday, November 13, 7:30 pm Wilmot Recital Hall, Nazareth College

Communication

We have several ways in which to communicate with students and parents, all of which are important.

Inclement Weather

A youth orchestra rehearsal is canceled due to snowstorms or other inclement weather ONLY if the Hochstein School is closed. You can tune to WHAM-AM (1180) for closing information. The Hochstein website has online sources to check as well.

Website and E-Mail

The Hochstein website is updated on a regular basis. This handbook and general information can be found online on the HYSO portion of the site: www.hochstien.org/hyso.

You will receive an email by 4:00 pm each Monday with specific rehearsal instructions each week. Specific pieces and /or sections will be listed so you know exactly what to practice at home. There may be times when a section of the orchestra may be excused early or, because of smaller instrumentation, a section may begin rehearsal at a later time. All this information is provided so you can plan accordingly.

Rehearsal check-in table and HYSO mailbox

Check off your name on the attendance sheet and then look for any handouts on the check-in table right outside the entrance of the Performance Hall before every rehearsal. If you have an Absence form or any handouts that need to be returned, just put them in the HYSO mailbox located on the check-in table.

Calling in last minute problems

If you have a problem on Saturday morning (ex. illness, family emergency) please call Mrs. Strelau at 454-4596 ext. 30.

2009-2010 HYSO Concerto Competition

Any member of the 2009-2010 HYSO is eligible to compete to perform a solo with the orchestra during the school year on his/her orchestra instrument or on a secondary instrument (including voice). Two to four soloists are chosen each year and placed on the winter or spring concert.  Students who performed a solo during the 2008-2009 concert season are not eligible this year.

Auditions will be held in the recital hall on Sunday, November 1 from 1:00 to 5:00 pm. Students will be assigned a 10-minute audition slot and the results will be emailed to HYSO musicians that evening.

• A piano accompanist IS REQUIRED.  We find it beneficial to the performer and listener to present the piece in its entirety, allowing for the best possible presentation. An accompanist WILL NOT BE PROVIDED.
• NEW THIS YEAR: Solo and concerti movements should be memorized.. Good literature does not necessarily need to be "flashy," so in choosing your solo with your teacher, select a movement/piece you like playing and that shows off your strengths.
• Your private teacher should make sure that the orchestral parts are readily available and are reasonable to purchase or rent.

Travel

Under the direction of Nancy Strelau, HYSO made its first performance tour in 2001, traveling and performing in Vienna, Graz, Innsbruck, and Salzburg, Austria. The orchestra made its Carnegie Hall debut in New York City in April 2002, and was a featured performer at the New York State Music Educators Convention in November 2003. HYSO continued to travel in 2004, performing in Normandy and Paris, France. In April 2006 the orchestra traveled to Germany and the Czech Republic, performing in Berlin, Dresden, Leipzig, and Novy Bor. In April 2009, the group presented concerts in Rome, Florence, Cremona, Italy, and in Weggis, Switzerland.

A travel survey will be sent to parents in early Spring of 2010 to see if HYSO families would like to travel in April of 2011. Options for individual fundraising are made available each year. Students are not required to participate on a trip to be a member of the HYSO.

Concert Attire

Boys:   Tuxedo, white shirt, black bow tie, black socks, black shoes. We have a special rental/purchase arrangement with Tuxedo Park located at four corners in Penfield, for all HYSO musicians.

Your name is already in their database, so call ahead of time, (586-7846), identify yourself as an HYSO member and arrange a time in which to get fitted in August or September. Your rental period runs from October 1 to June 1.

Prices:

Girls:  Black blouse and black skirt OR black dress (down to mid-calf or longer) with black shoes. Garments should be loose fitting so that the musician is comfortable and is not restricted in movement.  NOTE: All blouses/dresses must have sleeves. Short sleeves or spaghetti straps are unacceptable.
 

Billing Information

Tuition for 2009-2010 HYSO season is $378, billed in quarterly installments of $94.50. Students enrolled in private lessons at Hochstein are charged a reduced tuition of $324, billed in quarterly installments of $81.00. All families will be invoiced quarterly beginning in August.

If you are awarded an HYSO scholarship, your account will be adjusted for the remaining quarters to reflect your reduction in tuition.

For questions regarding billing, contact the Hochstein business office at 585-454-4596 x. 17.

Rehearsal Preparation

Rehearsals begin at 9:00 am.  Orchestra members are to be seated, warmed up and ready to rehearse at 9:00 am which means musicians should arrive in the hall no later than 8:45 am. Percussionists will need to arrive earlier to set up equipment.

Seating Auditions

The function of assigned seating is to create the best balanced and blended ensemble possible, as well as to offer leadership opportunities to various players.

Seating auditions occur in the fall. For returning orchestra members the seating assignment is based on performance, participation from the previous year and the seating audition. Wind players will be rotated on a limited basis.  The conductor reserves the right to rotate seating assignments in all sections.

Scholarships

Scholarships are awarded to HYSO members annually according to each scholarship's criteria. It is through the generous donation of individuals that these scholarships are available and awarded to different HYSO students each year. Students are selected by the conductor along with a committee of Hocshtein faculty members. Each scholarship is awarded for the period of one year only.

The Don Messina String Instrument Scholarship
in memory of Harry and Louise Messina

Don Messina studied piano and double bass which he played in the East High School Orchestra and the Eastman School’s Conducting Orchestra in the 1950s. He has been a lifelong concert goer and is currently pursuing conducting opportunities. This scholarship is in memory of Don’s immigrant parents who loved music and who sacrificed much to encourage his musical aspirations.

The Don Messina String Instrument Scholarship covers the HYSO tuition for one year and is awarded annually to a student currently enrolled in elementary, middle or high school, and plays a stringed instrument. The recipient must display strong potential, outstanding musicianship and require financial assistance. 

The George A. Pettersen Memorial Scholarship

George A. Pettersen served as a Lieutenant in the U.S. Navy during World War II, successfully ran his own business, and was passionate about many things in life including music. Mr. Pettersen truly appreciated those around him who devoted their lives to their passions, and it is in his memory that the Pettersen family annually honors four students who emulate his commitment and work ethic.

The George A. Pettersen Memorial Scholarship is a half-tuition scholarhsip awarded annually to students given the position of concertmaster, principal second violin, principal cello and principal bass. The scholarship covers one half of the annual youth orchestra tuition for each of the recipients.

Morning Musicale Scholarship

Morning Musicale was founded in Rochester around 1930. It is an organization of approximately sixty women musicians who meet monthly for chamber music and friendship. The group provides support for the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra, the Imogene Barstow Fund at the Eastman School of Music and it is proud to sponsor this scholarship for a student in the HYSO. The Morning Musicale Scholarship is awarded to a returning junior or senior who strives for excellence and exhibits dedication and commitment to the orchestra. It covers one half of the annual youth orchestra tuition.

Gretchen Snedeker Endowed Chair

Gretchen Snedeker, a 24 year old graduate student at the Eastman School of Music, was tragically killed in a car accident in April 2008. She was principal horn of the HYSO from 1998-2001, and featured on the first tour to Austria in 2001. She discovered her passion for music during her time with the HYSO. It is in the memeory of Gretchen's spirit and passion that we create the Gretchen Snedeker Endowed Chair covering full tuition to be awarded to the Principal HYSO Horn position annually.

2009-2010 Hochstein Youth Symphony Orchestra Rehearsal and Concert Schedule

• Note: There are no rehearsals on the second weekend of either winter or spring vacations.
• All rehearsals/concerts are in the Performance Hall unless otherwise noted.
• Please note that the ending times of rehearsals on Saturdays fluctuate from 11:00 to 11:30am.
• Whenever possible, Sunday rehearsals (2:00–4:30 pm) have been scheduled during All-State and All-County weekends.