2018/19 PARENT & FAMILY HANDBOOK 432 STATE STREET AT PROCTORS SCHENECTADY, NY ESYO.ORG

Transcription

1 2018/19 PARENT & FAMILY HANDBOOK 432 STATE STREET AT PROCTORS SCHENECTADY, NY ESYO.ORG

2 TABLE OF CONTENTS pg. 3 pg. 4-5 pg. 6-7 pg. 8 pg. 9 pg pg pg. 14 pg.15 I. Introduction II. Background III. Program Overview IV. Artistic Staff V. Administrative Staff & Orchestra Managers VI. Your Role as a Parent VII. Fundraising VIII. Volunteering Season Calendar

3 I. INTRODUCTION MISSION Empire State Youth Orchestra challenges and inspires young people to achieve excellence through music in a rigorous learning environment leading to high level performance opportunities. CORE VALUES ESYO s core values drive our mission. Our members and affiliates share a passion for: VISION Musical excellence: as a joyful pursuit and a pathway to personal excellence. Access: to enriched musical education and experiences regardless of socioeconomic barriers. Service: to children as our primary customers. Collaboration: among our musicians and ensembles, with our supporting schools and community partners. Community: as an opportunity to engage, to grow and to give back. ESYO aspires to create tangible and lasting benefits for the community. Together we strive to: Facilitate skill development for the 21st century. Nourish a new generation of leaders in the arts and society. Inspire lifelong stewardship of our shared musical treasures. Create a sustainable model for expanding access to music education. Promote the use of music as an agent of social change ESYO Parent & Family Handbook 3

4 II. BACKGROUND Empire State Youth Orchestra (ESYO) engages more than 500 youth from across New York s Capital Region and Western New England in the joyful pursuit of musical excellence. Guided by outstanding Teaching Artists, coaches and conductors, members explore their potential alongside like-minded peers in an environment that is musically daring and seriously fun! ESYO has provided outstanding music training and performance opportunities for young musicians from across New York s Capital Region and Western New England since Beginning with a single orchestra forty years ago, ESYO has grown to include twelve performing ensembles, wind and brass choirs, and a free, music-training program called CHIME. ESYO players are afforded exceptional learning opportunities with professional musicians, renowned conductors and passionate teaching artists. Combined, ESYO s performing ensembles offer more than thirty public performances each year at a variety of venues including Troy Savings Bank Music Hall, the Massry Center, Arthur Zankel Music Center, Proctors, and Carnegie Hall. ESYO has received three prestigious awards for its adventurous programming from the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP) and has had six European tours, including participation at the World Association for Symphonic Bands and Ensembles 2018 Festival in Hungary. ESYO has also toured in Asia and was invited to perform at the 2012 World Expo in Yeosu, South Korea. ESYO seeks to expand its impact beyond its members, believing that music can be a catalyst for social change. This belief is why ESYO has helped raise more than $8 million for Albany Medical Center s pediatric oncology program through the Melodies of Christmas concerts, and why, in 2015, ESYO launched Creating Harmony Inspiring Musical Excellence (CHIME). CHIME provides free, daily music instruction to some of the region s most disadvantaged students students who might not otherwise have the ability or income to seriously pursue music. Through CHIME, ESYO hopes to ensure the musicians of tomorrow are as diverse as the communities they inspire. ESYO s programming provides a solid musical foundation for those students who want to pursue musical careers. Repertoire features masterworks as well as music from living composers. ESYO has commissioned music from composers such as Samuel Adler, Hilary Tann, Dan Cooper, Jin Hi Kim, Clint Needham, Grammy-winning Bill Cunliffe, and Michael Davis, which allows our musicians to be a part of the creative process as they work with the composer in rehearsal and bring a musical idea to life in a performance. Working with professional musicians goes beyond the weekly rehearsals and coaching sessions; ESYO musicians have taken advantage of master classes and visits from guest artists such as The Shanghai Quartet, Boston Brass Quintet, Hyperion Quartet, ESYO alum Gary Wicks from Manhattan Transfer, ESYO Parent & Family Handbook

5 Benjamin Zander, Alan Vizutti, Charles Yang, and Blue Lou Marini. Collaborations with other arts organizations such as Albany Symphony Orchestra and Albany Pro Musica enhance the ESYO Experience. ESYO graduates tell us that their ESYO experience helped them develop skills (such as working in a team, responsibility, and discipline) that have helped them achieve success. Alumni can be found in all walks of life from finance to science to medicine to business, and, of course in the music industry. ESYO is well represented by alumni on stage performing classical and contemporary music in national orchestras and in small combos, backstage as arts managers, recording engineers, and composers, and in the classroom teaching the next generation of musicians. ESYO is incorporated as a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit that is largely supported by private funding from individuals, corporations, and foundations, and is governed by a volunteer Board of Directors. Its administrative office is located at Proctors in Schenectady and, although the music education/ performance schedule follows the school year, the administrative office is open throughout the year ESYO Parent & Family Handbook 5

6 III. PROGRAM OVERVIEW ESYO s progressive program annually supports over 500 musicians in elementary through high school. Concertino Strings and Concertino Winds provide music training for beginner to intermediate level musicians. Weekly rehearsals are 1.5 hours, and there are one or two formal performances each season. Entry into these groups is based on teacher recommendation and a non-competitive placement audition. ESYO s String and Wind Orchestras provide music training for intermediate level players. Weekly rehearsals are 2 hours, and there are three formal performances each season. In August, 2018, the Wind Orchestra participated in an International Wind Festival in Makó, Hungary. ESYO s Repertory groups, which include symphonic orchestra, jazz, and percussion, provide music training for advanced-intermediate players. Weekly rehearsals are 2.5 hours, and there are four performances each season. ESYO s Youth groups, which include symphonic orchestra, jazz and percussion, provide music training for advanced players. Weekly rehearsals are 3 hours and there are four-five performances each season. Additionally, the Youth Orchestra goes on an international tour approximately every 4 years, with the last tour (to Portugal) occurring in summer, Repertory and Youth musicians are provided a variety of enriching educational opportunities each season, including an annual weekend retreat to YMCA Frost Valley in the Catskills, master classes, residencies with guest artists and composers and orchestra exchanges. Students in all of our ensembles also are given instrument-specific coaching sessions during scheduled rehearsals throughout the season. Acceptance into all but our entry-level groups, (Concertino Strings and Concertino Winds) is determined by a competitive audition process. Recognizing that not all children have the comprehensive support required to pursue music at a high level, ESYO launched CHIME (Creating Harmony Inspiring Musical Excellence) in 2015 with 40 children at Yates Arts in Education Magnet School in Schenectady. Since then, CHIME has expanded to include three sites in Schenectady, ESYO Parent & Family Handbook

7 serving more than 100 children and supporting a full CHIME orchestra that rehearses each afternoon at Proctors. This fall ESYO will open a new CHIME site in Troy at Carroll Hill Elementary School. CHIME musicians have performed across the region at the Palace Theater, Troy Music Hall, Music Haven and SPAC and have collaborated with visiting artists such as Black Violin, members of the Philadelphia Orchestra, and the Piano Guys. Additionally, ESYO supports CHIME summer camps at all CHIME sites, ensuring continued instruction and enrichment for our young musicians in between school years. ESYO is committed to providing its members outstanding musical instruction. This means investing in highly skilled teaching artists and conductors for each of our groups; it means engaging guest artists for residencies and workshops; it means commissioning new works; it means collaborating with other arts groups to broaden our members experience and worldview. ESYO strives to work in partnership with regional school music teachers to accomplish these goals, and frequently collaborates with schools and other arts organizations in order to offer unique musical experiences. For example, in June 2018, ESYO participated in the Youth Arts Festival at SPAC featuring dancers from Northeast Ballet, singers from the Capital Region Chorale, and writers and artists from Capital District schools ESYO Parent & Family Handbook 7

8 IV. ARTISTIC STAFF Youth Orchestra Carlos Ágreda Repertory Orchestra David Beck String Orchestra Joseph Gumpper Wind Orchestra Bob Hansbrough Youth Jazz Orchestra Lee Russo Repertory Jazz Orchestra David Fisk Youth Percussion Ensemble Richard Albagli and Mark Foster Repertory Percussion Ensemble Richard Albagli and John Antonio Concertino Winds Julie Taylor, Wind Choir Scott Hopkins, Brass Choir CHIME Monica Wilson-Roach (Conductor) Teachers: Elyse Barna Andrew Borkowski Milad Daniari Mary Dohner Rachel Hill Matthew Johnson Bridie Schnore Elizabeth Swift Esther Witherell Cante Yacobellis Chorale Conductor Rae Jean Teeter Chamber Percussion Ensemble Genoveffa Vitale Concertino Strings Leo Milman ESYO Parent & Family Handbook

9 V. ADMINISTRATIVE STAFF Office Mailing Address: 432 State Street, Schenectady, NY Ph: Fax: for general inquiries or contact staff directly. Executive Director Rebecca Calos Finance Director Lisa Stulmaker Operations Director Sue Lascoe Donor Engagement Manager Anne-Marie Gorman Doyle Marketing & Publications Manager Rosalie Phan Librarian & Administrative Assistant Kevin Dorvil CHIME Interim Program Director Mary Dohner CHIME Program Manager Elizabeth Swift Contact your Orchestra Manager with specific questions: Youth Orchestra Kevin Dorvil Repertory Orchestra Sue Lascoe Wind Orchestra Lisa Rittner (Parent Manager) & Eugene Lorini (Student Manager) String Orchestra Milad Daniari Concertino Strings Elyse Barna Percussion Ensembles Beth Antonio Youth Jazz Orchestra Lee Russo Repertory Jazz Orchestra David Fisk ESYO Parent & Family Handbook 9

10 VI. YOUR ROLE AS A PARENT Parents are critical to the success of ESYO, and as such, your role is invaluable. We need your support in all areas! How can you help? 1. Be engaged! Please help to make sure your musician: Is at rehearsal on time. We can t stress this enough if a rehearsal starts at 7:00pm, arriving at 7:00 is LATE. Musicians need to arrive at least 10 minutes ahead of scheduled rehearsal time in order to get their instruments tuned and be in their seats and ready to play at 7:00pm. Receives private lessons on a regular basis. We have a directory online of local private music teachers. We are not endorsing any of these teachers, it is just a list to start with, if needed. Practices daily. ESYO ensembles are advanced ensembles that are meant to challenge young musicians; no one can walk into rehearsal and be ready to go without a significant amount of preparation during the week. Informs his/her manager of any scheduling conflicts well in advance. There is an absentee form online please make use of it as soon as you are aware of a conflict. Attend ESYO concerts our performances are the culmination of weeks of practice, dedication and diligence, and our musicians love to share what they have accomplished with you! 2. Be informed: Read ESYO newsletters Read communications sent by your ensemble manager Follow us on social media: Facebook: Instagram: Twitter: Stay to listen to a rehearsal we always welcome parents! ESYO Parent & Family Handbook

11 3. Be supportive: Consider becoming a parent liaison! Contribute to the annual appeal and fundraisers Secure an employer match Contribute through igive and Amazon Smile Volunteer to assist at a fundraising event, such as Playathon and Barnes & Noble Friend-raiser 4. Be an ambassador: Tell your friends, colleagues and associates about ESYO and invite them to a rehearsal, performance or event remember that tickets are free for music teachers and ESYO musicians. Share photos, video and stories with us so we can spread the news ESYO Parent & Family Handbook 11

12 VII. FUNDRAISING How can you help? At ESYO, we try very hard to keep tuition low. We also have a longstanding commitment to tuition assistance for qualifying musicians. That said, tuition dollars cover only 40% of the actual cost of a year with ESYO, so we have to fundraise. It is important to understand that while we do provide tuition assistance for those who need it, our fundraising is for ALL of our musicians. The 60% not covered through tuition must be earned through the fundraising and development efforts of a small, dedicated staff. How can you help? There are many opportunities! We have four major fundraisers throughout the year. Our Fall Appeal takes place in October, our No Show Gala end of December, Playathon is in February and our Spring Appeal takes place in April. Fundraising has two primary objectives: 1. Raise money for ongoing ESYO education, operations and the orchestras themselves. Again, tuition covers only 40% of the cost of a young musician s ESYO experience. The remaining 60% is subsidized through fundraising, grants, donations and the like ESYO Parent & Family Handbook

13 2. To support our mission to never turn away a qualified musician because of an inability to pay. We have 35 scholarship recipients this year. The number of students needing scholarships has increased, and the amount they need has increased. We do not want to turn any of these musicians away. So what can you do? Of course all donations are greatly appreciated! Beyond that, we need sponsors for our concerts. Can your company sponsor an ESYO concert or season? Call us and we will help figure out the best way to approach your company. Also, we welcome employer company donation matches ESYO Parent & Family Handbook 13

14 VIII. VOLUNTEERING ESYO has a small, dedicated staff that works hard to meet all of the operational needs of our ensembles. With such a small staff, though, we rely on the invaluable assistance of our amazing volunteers. We hope you will consider joining our Volunteer Team this season! Throughout the year, we have many opportunities for volunteering to help meet these needs. Lots of help is needed for Playathon, which involves all of our ensembles, and Melodies of Christmas, which involves only the Youth Orchestra. Beyond that, we need parents to sell tickets at the door, serve as parent liaisons (between conductor and parent), hall monitors during rehearsals, and help moving larger instruments for concerts. We also frequently need your help to stuff envelopes, or pitch in at special events. We ask that you consider volunteering for at least one event per year. With that help, we can be sure and offer our musicians the best experience possible! ESYO Parent & Family Handbook

15 ESYO SEASON CALENDAR 3 Labor Day 7-9 Youth & Repertory Orchestra Frost Valley Retreat SEPTEMBER MARCH Percussion Ensembles Concert (7pm) 08 Columbus Day 27 Repertory & Youth Jazz Orchestra Concert (3pm) OCTOBER APRIL Youth Orchestra Concert (3pm) 21 Easter Sunday 11 Veterans Day 22 Thanksgiving Day 3 Youth Orchestra Concert (7:30pm) 5 Percussion Ensembles Concert (7pm) 7 Youth Orchestra Young People s Concert (10:30am)/ Seniors Concert (1pm) at Proctors 18 String Orchestra & CSR Chamber Orchestra Concert (1pm) NOVEMBER MAY Youth Jazz & Repertory Jazz Orchestra Concert (7:30pm) 4 Repertory & String Orchestra Concert (3pm) 10 Percussion Ensembles Concert (7pm) 12 Wind Orchestra Concert (3pm) 19 Concertino Strings Concert (3pm) 27 Memorial s Day 7 Youth & Repertory Jazz Orchestra (7:30pm) 8 Barnes & Noble Fundraiser (10-6pm) Melodies of Christmas 16 Wind Orchestra Concert (3pm) 19 Percussion Ensembles Concert (7pm) 25 Christmas Day DECEMBER JUNE SPAC Festival of Young Artists (2pm-5pm) Entrance Auditions 15 Encore Stage Senior Class Cabaret (2pm-5pm) 1 New Year's Day 20 Concertino Strings Concert (3pm) 21 M.L. King Day 2 PLAYATHON at Crossgates Mall (11am-6:30pm) 13 Repertory & Repertory Jazz Orchestra Concert (7:30pm) 14 String Orchestra & Youth Jazz Orchestra Concert (7:30pm) 18 Presidents Day 28 Wind Orchestra Orchestra (7:30pm) JANUARY FEBRUARY REHEARSAL TIMES 4 Independence Day YOUTH ORCHESTRA (Brown School) Tuesdays, 7:00 10:00 pm REPERTORY ORCHESTRA (Brown School) Tuesdays, 7:00 9:30 pm WIND ORCHESTRA (College of St. Rose) Sundays, 2:00 4:00 pm STRING ORCHESTRA (Proctors, The Addy) Mondays, 6:15-8:15pm YOUTH JAZZ ORCHESTRA (Guilderland HS) Mondays, 6:15-8:15pm REPERTORY JAZZ ORCHESTRA (Niskayuna HS) Mondays, 6:15-8:15pm YOUTH PERCUSSION ENSEMBLE (Brown School) Tuesdays, 4:15 6:15 pm REPERTORY PERCUSSION ENSEMBLE (Brown School) Sundays, 5:45 8:00 pm CHAMBER PERCUSSION ENSEMBLE (Brown School) Sundays, 3:30 5:45 pm CONCERTINO STRINGS (Proctors, The Addy) Sundays, 4:30-6:00pm 15

16 CONTACT ESYO STATE STREET SCHENECTADY, NY ESYO.ORG