WYSO Parent Orientation New Members

September 9, 2017 “Enriching lives by providing transformational musical experiences and opportunities.”

Agenda • Welcome • Overview of WYSO • WYSO Staff • Season Schedule • Chamber Ensembles • Staying Informed • Attendance & Conduct • Concerts • Photo Policy • Dress • Merchandise • Orchestra repertoire • Seating Arrangements • Auditions • Tours • Community Outreach • Endangered Instruments • Scholarships • Parents

Association/Volunteering • Family Fundraising

What is WYSO? • Founded by Dr. Marvin Rabin in 1966, the

Wisconsin Youth Symphony Orchestras (WYSO) has grown from one single orchestra into a comprehensive program that includes three full orchestras, two string orchestras, chamber music program and a full array of ensemble programs.

• Entering our 52nd season, WYSO has established itself as one of the premier youth orchestra programs in the nation.

WYSO Organization Youth

Orchestra Philharmonia

Orchestra Concert

Orchestra

Sinfonietta

Brass Choirs

Harp Ensemble

Percussion Ensemble

Chamber Ensembles

Full Orchestras

Ensembles

Opus One String Orchestras

Programs

WYSO Music Makers

WYSO Administrative Staff

Joe Bernstein Director of Operations &

Education

Leah Schultz Membership Manager

Bridget Fraser Executive Director

Yanzel Rivera Program Assistant

Brian Ellingboe Music Librarian &

Operations Assistant

Andrea Gibbs Development Director

Paran Amirinazari WYSO Music Makers

Program Director

Juliana Mesa-Jaramillo WYSO Music Makers

Membership Coordinator

WYSO Artistic Staff

Tom Curry Brass Choir

Vicki Peterson Jenks Percussion Ensemble

Jenny DeRoche Harp Ensemble

Michelle Kaebisch Philharmonia Orchestra

Randal Swiggum Youth Orchestra

Karl Lavine Chamber Ensemble

Christine Mata-Eckel Concert Orchestra

Mark Leiser Sinfonietta

Geri Hamilton Opus One

WYSO Artistic Staff • Sectionals are held for each instrument section of

Philharmonia, Concert Orchestra, and Sinfonietta on 19 rehearsals throughout the season. Occasionally, Opus One and Youth Orchestra may hold sectionals. • Violin 1 – Beth Larson • Violin 2 – Laura Mericle • Viola – Melanie DeJesus • Cello – Hannah Wolkstein • Bass – August Jirovec • Woodwinds – Yvonne Schwinge • Brass – Jacob Grewe • Percussion – James McKenzie • Timpani – Sean Kleve • Harp – Jenny DeRoche

WYSO Office Hours • WYSO administrative offices are located at:

• 2009 W. Beltline Hwy • Suite 202

• Normal WYSO business hours at Beltline:

• 9:00 am – 5:00 pm, Tuesday – Friday.

• UW Humanities office hours: • Wednesday – Thursday, 11:00 am – 1:00 pm • Friday, 9:00 am – 5:00 pm • Saturday, 8:00 am – 2:00 pm

WYSO Rehearsals • Rehearsals

• Youth Orchestra: 9:30 am – 12:30 pm • Philharmonia Orchestra: 9:45 am – 12:45 pm • Concert Orchestra: 10:00 am – 12:30 pm • Sinfonietta: 10:30 am – 1:00 pm • Opus One: 8:00 am – 10:00 am

• Brass Choirs • Youth Orchestra Brass: 8:00 am – 8:45 am • Philharmonia Orchestra Brass: 8:45 am – 9:25 am • Concert Orchestra Brass: 9:25 am – 9:55 am

• Percussion Ensemble • 7:00 am – 9:30 am

Badger Football Games Plan ahead for traffic and parking Sept. 9, 30 | Oct. 14, 21 | Nov. 11

WYSO Sunday Rehearsals

• Sunday, November 19 (No Youth Orchestra) • Sunday, January 28 • Sunday, February 25

• Sunday, March 4 • Sunday, April 29

• Check member handbook for specific rehearsal times on Sundays

Due to building availability and scheduling limitations, WYSO will be holding five rehearsals on Sunday afternoons this year.

Parking • Parking available at several lots nearby

• Please do not leave your vehicle unattended in the circle.

• Do not park in handicapped parking without a handicapped parking permit

• WYSO is not granted special permission in the parking lot and members cars will be ticketed if in violation of parking rules

• Consider picking up/dropping off older students or students with smaller instruments further away

Special Events • Masterclasses

• Several masterclasses with illustrious WYSO alumni

• See WYSO students work 1 on 1 with professional musicians

• Sounds of the Season • Will involve Youth Orchestra,

Sinfonietta, and Percussion Ensemble playing holiday music that will be aired on NBC 15. Audience members are encouraged to attend the recording. Recording December 2.

• Taste of WYSO • October 28, 2017. Enjoy food from

around the world in this annual WYSO pot luck!

Chamber Music Program • Highly recommended by all conductors!

• Led by Karl Lavine, Principal cellist of the MSO and WCO.

• Chamber music is music played in small groups, usually

string quartets, piano trios or woodwind quintets, without a conductor.

• Students learn valuable skills that they wouldn’t normally learn in larger ensembles: leadership, improved listening, teamwork, responsibility for an individual part, and more.

Staying Informed

Handbook (annual)

Website (daily) WYSO Rhythms

E-newsletter (monthly)

Check your email weekly! WYSO sends weekly email announcements with important information specific to that week’s events and rehearsals. Often, this is the first place that last-minute changes are announced.

www.wsyomusic.org

Text Alerts • WYSO can send

you text alerts for: • Cancelled rehearsals • Cancelled concerts • Change of

date/time • Signing up is easy! • www.wysomusic.org/members

School Music Participation • All WYSO members are expected to participate in

their school orchestra, band, or strings program. • Members who do not meet this expectation must

notify the WYSO Exec. Director in writing. • WYSO is not a replacement for the daily playing,

technique building, and literature exposure that is experienced in a school music ensemble.

• Participation in scheduled school orchestra or band

performances always takes precedence over WYSO.

School Music Participation Daily playing, exposure to core literature, and reinforcement of technique

Experience supplemental and often advanced literature in a

diverse surrounding from different conductors

Gain valuable musicianship and technique while receiving pedagogical lessons

Attendance – A Worthwhile Challenge • Maximum number of absences per concert cycle

• 2 Autumn: Steenbock Concert • 3 Winter: Winterfest Concert • 2 Spring: Bolz Concert

• Members will receive one additional absence allowance per cycle for school music activities

• Exceeding the maximum will dismiss the student from playing in the concert. • Students who miss a concert must meet with WYSO’s Exec.

Director and his/her conductor to discuss commitment to WYSO • Excessive absences will be taken in to consideration when

conductors analyze audition results in the spring • Using an absence for the last rehearsal before a concert is

discouraged • Missing two concerts will be cause for dismissal from the

WYSO program • Partial Attendance – attending a portion of rehearsal is

always better than missing an entire rehearsal

Attendance Cont. • Reporting an absence

• Go to website • Call the attendance line

• 608-263-3320 ext. 2

• E-mail • wyso@wysomusic.org

• Submit an absence form

Rehearsal Conduct • Please review pg. 3 of your member handbooks for

a full overview.

• There is NO CELL PHONE USE during rehearsal for any reason. If there is an emergency please contact the WYSO main office.

• The computers in the hallway are for UW-Students only.

• Absolutely no food or drink (except water) is allowed in the rehearsal rooms.

Half-Price Tickets • Don’t forget to order your family half-

price tickets! • Order forms are DUE September 30!

Concert Etiquette WYSO aims to provide the best possible concert experience for both the performers and the audience. Certain behaviors can distract the performers, conductor, and the audience from enjoying the final product of weeks of rehearsals. • No food or drink is allowed at the

concert venue • Please remove loud or disruptive

children outside the hall. • When recording or taking photos,

please adhere to photo policy • Please turn all cellphones off!

Photo & Video Policy • All video recordings must be made in one

of the designated “recording spaces”. • Please turn the sound of your recording

device off. Beeps, clicks, and buzzes will interfere with the sound quality of the WYSO recording. Those noises are also a distraction for other audience members and performers.

• Please be mindful of the people around you when taking photos. Please do not stand up, block other audience member’s view, or disturb your neighbors.

• ABSOLUTELY NO FLASH PHOTOGRAPHY ALLOWED AT CONCERTS

• All photo team members will monitor all audience photography

Rehearsal Attire • Members are asked to be thoughtful in how they

dress for rehearsals. • Clothing should not be distracting to others, nor

inhibit playing during rehearsals. • Please:

• NO midriff-baring shirts • NO visible undergarments • NO bare feet • NO hats

• We recommend against flip-flops as they are a safety hazard, particularly given the amount of equipment being moved in the Humanities Building.

Concert Attire

Concert Orchestra, Sinfonietta, Opus One

Concert Attire Cont.

Philharmonia Orchestra

Concert Attire Cont.

Youth Orchestra

Concert Dress Policy • Shirt – solid-color (bright white or non-faded black) • Pants/Skirt/Dress – solid (non-faded) black, floor-

length • Socks/Hose – solid black (no skin should be visible

between bottom hem and shoes when seated) • Shoes – solid black, closed-toe dress shoes • Jacket/tie – if worn (Youth Orchestra), solid (non-

faded) black

• NO: • Short-sleeve or sleeveless shirts • Patterns, lace, or shiny embellishments • Jeans, corduroys, capris, tight or athletic pants, or

leggings • Athletic shoes or boots

Photo Days • Each orchestra will participate in a photo day • Group photos will be taken on this day • Please arrive in concert dress

• Philharmonia Orchestra – September 23 • Concert Orchestra – October 7

• Sinfonietta – October 14 • Opus One – October 14

• Youth Orchestra – November 4

• Additionally, individual portraits will be taken on a date TBA.

• Individual portraits will be available for purchase online.

Merchandise • WYSO sells clothes, calendars,

CDs, bumper stickers, and more!

• Calendars purchased will count towards Musical Notes.

• CDs may be ordered at concerts.

• Please visit the merchandise booth in the lounge following this meeting for samples, current stock, and info on our online store

• We will sell clothes and other merchandise at rehearsals and concerts.

Payment • Tuition payments can be made online • Credit card payments are subject to a 3%

transaction fee • All checks or cash must be turned in with

our payment envelope

Orchestra Repertoire • The repertoire of each

orchestra is carefully selected by each conductor, with consideration given to: • Educational value • Artistic quality • Instrumentation • Programmatic Integrity

• Even professional musicians

play pieces which might not be challenging, but playing these pieces well makes the musician a professional.

• Please encourage your young musicians to talk with their conductor if: • They have questions about the

repertoire • If they are not feeling

challenged • If they are feeling too

challenged • If they would like to know more

about the piece

Seating Arrangements • The conductor determines the seating and rotation within the

various sections of each orchestra. Competition for individual chairs is not part of the WYSO program.

• Seating is not based on the ranking of performers; rather parts are rotated from piece to piece (most frequently in winds and percussion), and from concert to concert. Every member of the orchestra plays an important role.

• Playing check-ins allow an opportunity for the conductor to get to know the members and assess their abilities so he or she can determine a seating arrangement within the section that is best for the orchestra.

• For more information please visit http://www.wysomusic.org/our-program/orchestras

Audition Process • A WYSO Conductor or Ensemble Director will hear all

auditions, occasionally with outside judges • ANY returning member who wishes to stay in their current

orchestra may do so • Online scheduling system so auditionees can schedule

themselves • Final orchestra placement for all will be made by WYSO

conductors, based on audition • Returning WYSO members will also be evaluated on

rehearsal preparation, etiquette, behavior, and attendance

• ALL results will be mailed after the final concerts

• WYSO holds an Audition Workshop in the Spring. This covers our process, how to prepare, and how we determine results.

Scholarships • WYSO offers need based scholarships for

• Tuition • Private Lessons • Chamber Ensembles • International Tour

• The scholarship deadline was June 16, 2017; however, applications will be accepted on an individual basis

• For more information and to fill out an application visit: • www.wysomusic.org/members/scholarships

Touring • Youth Orchestra aims to do an

international tour every other year. In 2018, Youth Orchestra will tour Peru!

• Opus One, Sinfonietta, Concert Orchestra, and Philharmonia Orchestra tour regionally at various schools each year.

• It is expected that each member of the orchestra participates in their orchestra’s tour.

• Missing your orchestra’s in-state tour will result in meeting with the conductors and the executive director

• Opus One Tour • Tuesday, March 6, 2018

• Sinfonietta Tour

• Thursday, March 8, 2018

• Concert Orchestra Tour • Wednesday, November 8,

2017

• Philharmonia Orchestra Tour • TBA

Endangered Instruments • This project aims to increase interest in and mastery of

“endangered” instruments: horn, viola, bassoon, bass, and low brass. These sections have become increasingly difficult to fill in school, youth and even professional orchestras, and this program aims to help strengthen these important instrumental voices. • Open to non-WYSO members • Scholarships for private lessons are available through the

programs • Participation is FREE • Highly encouraged by all conductors!

Endangered Instruments • enCORe Horn Program

• Focus on horn choir and horn-centric repertoire

• Viola Explorers • Workshops devoted to the benefits and

techniques of playing viola • Begin the Bassoon Workshops

• Workshops for all wind players interested in playing bassoon

• All About That Bass • Workshops for skill development and

mastery of the string bass • Low Brass Boot Camp

• Workshops focusing on trombone, euphonium, and tuba technical and ensemble development

• Madison Music Makers was acquired by WYSO in July of 2017.

• Founded in 2007 to provide equal access for Madison’s children to study music and enjoy performance opportunities regardless of the family’s background or resources. • Private music lessons, performance opportunities,

and musical instruments are provided for each student.

• No motivated student is turned away for lack of resources.

• With shared experiences in music-making, our program brings together a truly diverse group of families, from all across the racial, ethnic, and socio-economic spectrum.

Music Makers Mentorship • This collaborative project pairs young

students from the WYSO Music Makers program, which provides access to music lessons and group classes to all, with high school aged mentors from WYSO.

• WYSO’s Music Makers Mentors attend Music

Makers rehearsals at Memorial United Church of Christ, modeling music student success. The partnership also includes workshops with WYSO conductors including rehearsal and concert attendance and collaborative performance.

• WYSO members interested in becoming

mentors should contact with WYSO Music Makers Director, Paran Amirinazari, following rehearsal.

Volunteering • On-Going Opportunities

• Parent School Coordinators • Photo Team • Parent Leader Committee

• One-Time Opportunities • Social Activities • Attendance • Hall Monitor • Ushers, Box Office • Office/Admin Help • Auditions • Tour • Petting Zoos

Parent Leader Committee • Responsibilities

• Help to plan and run WYSO events such as First Rehearsal Day, Taste of WYSO, Musical Notes Collection Day and the PLC Fundraiser

• Serve as a great resource for new families • PLC Members

• Ann Baltes, Mary Joan Brilla, Kristen Davies, Kate Deck, Mary Jo Froden, Murielle Hsu, Xixue Mei, David Mott, Tamara Nuenninghoff, Pat Raes, Deepika Rajesh, Peg Rooney, Poorna Shivakumar, Tanya Tandias, Diana Wheeler, May Zhou, Vicki Zank

• WYSO Board Liaison • Teresa Hall

Parent Leader Fundraiser • An Evening with

The Kissers! • 5th Annual Parent

Fundraiser • Featuring:

• Madison’s premiere Irish band The Kissers. delicious food, raffle, silent auction, door prizes, and more

• January 26, 2018 • Brink Lounge

Musical Notes Campaign • WYSO Families’ Signature Fundraising Event

• Family Oriented Campaign • Students send letters to family and friends, sell raffle

tickets, sell calendars and volunteer at outside events. • Donors send contributions to the student • Pick up packets at Taste of WYSO Potluck on October

28, 2017 • Turn in donations – March 4, 2018 • The success of this campaign is the largest reason we

are able to keep tuition prices affordable for families.

Musical Notes Cont. • Fundraising keeps tuition at

an affordable cost

• Family Fundraising activities are led by the Parent Leader Committee.

• Each WYSO member is responsible for fulfilling the minimum $150 fundraising expectation.

Musical Notes Cont. • Donations, payments, and money earned for

Musical Notes should be turned in using your child’s Musical Notes envelope

• Donations may also be made online!

• All donations to Musical Notes are tax deductible!

• Excludes raffle and calendar sales, as well as any contributions which earn money toward an individual member’s tour account

Musical Notes Cont. • Raise your money

through volunteering • Bratfest • Madison Marathon • Madison Half-

Marathon • Taste of Madison

Raffle for a Trip Abroad! • Selling raffle tickets is an

easy way to meet your fundraising goal. Wisconsinites love buying raffle tickets!

• There are two raffles for trips to Paris or London.

• Tickets are $10 a piece or 3 for $25

• The drawings will be held at the Fall and Winterfest Concerts.

Shop on Amazon.com • WYSO earns money when you shop on Amazon! • 1st, visit www.wysomusic.org • Then, click on the Amazon logo, located at the

bottom of the home page • WYSO earns a percentage of all sales, in some

cases up to 8.5%!

Thanks for Attending! Welcome to the WYSO family! We invite you to meet the conductors, sign up for volunteer duties, and enjoy pizza in the lounge.