GTCYS recognizes how important it is for our young musicians to socialize and experience music with their friends. Several special activities each year, along with weekly rehearsal breaks, encourage new friendships and social bonds.
Bring a Friend Nights
GTCYS has Bring a Friend Night twice each year – once in the fall and again in the spring. This is a fun opportunity for current members to invite their friends (not currently in GTCYS) who play an orchestral instrument to attend rehearsal. Friends can bring their instruments, play along during rehearsal, enjoy treats during break, and make music with their GTCYS colleague. The next Bring a Friend Nights are November 17, 21, and 22, 2011. RSVP to miranda@gtcys.org with the GTCYS student’s name and orchestra, plus the friend’s name and instrument.
Treats
Treats are an important aspect of any youth program – GTCYS included! Each orchestra has treats nights several times each semester, providing a fun opportunity for students to make new friends, mingle with old ones, and take a breather from rehearsal. Year-end orchestra parties are a fun way to celebrate a year of music-making and friendships!
Retreats
Two day retreats – one in the fall and one in January – for each orchestra provide intense rehearsal time and valuable social interaction. Team-building activities, rehearsals, sectionals with professional musicians, and joint meals are important elements of the fall retreats. The mass orchestra retreat in January (new in 2011) brings all six orchestras together for a day of rehearsals, joint workshops, social time, lunch and a mass ensemble rehearsal.