What's New at GTCYS
May 2008 NewsNotes
As we conclude the 2007 – 08 season, there are many important details to share. Be sure to read all of the information below in order to stay up to date on GTCYS activities!
SPRING FESTIVAL DETAILS
Dress Rehearsals - Saturday, May 10 at Orchestra Hall, 1111 Nicollet Mall, Minneapolis
In addition to their individual orchestra rehearsal, all students are required to be at the mass ensemble rehearsal from 10:30 to 11:15am; the times listed below include this rehearsal.
Philharmonia call time 8:30am
Dismissed at 11:15am
Sinfonia call time 9:00am
Dismissed at 11:15am
Concertino call time 9:30am
Dismissed at 11:15am
Concert Orchestra call time 10:00am
Dismissed at 11:50am
Philharmonic call time 10:00am
Dismissed at 1:00pm
Symphony call time 10:00am
Dismissed at 12:30pm
Concert – Sunday, May 11 at Orchestra Hall
Listening to other orchestras is an integral part of the GTCYS program and all students will perform in the mass ensemble at the end of the concert. Students must stay for the entire concert. They are expected to behave appropriately, be quiet, and respect their chaperones during the concert. Students will not be allowed to leave without prior written authorization.
Call time for ALL students is 2:15pm
Concert begins at 3:00pm
What to bring/wear:
Students do not need to wear concert attire to the dress rehearsals. For the concert, students should arrive dressed in appropriate concert attire (girls remember that we do not allow short-sleeve or sleeveless tops, or bare legs and sandals; guys remember to wear black socks, dress shoes and black bow ties).
Remember to bring instruments and accessories (extra strings, reeds, cellists bring rock stops). In addition, all students must bring their entire music folder to turn in at the end of the concert. Students do not need to bring music stands to the rehearsal or concert. Be sure all personal belongings are marked with your first and last name. Do not bring books, cell phones, iPods or other unnecessary items.
Tickets
Please help us start and end the concert on time by purchasing your tickets in advance. All tickets are reserved seats and are now on sale. Prices are $6 and $7 for students and $12 and $15 for adults, plus applicable fees. To purchase, call the Orchestra Hall box office at 612-371-5656 or purchase online at www.minnesotaorchsetra.org (click on calendar and go to May 11). GTCYS musicians do not need a ticket for the concert (when not performing, students will be seated with their orchestra and chaperones in Tiers 2 and 3).
Entering and Exiting Orchestra Hall:
For the dress rehearsals on Saturday, students must enter AND exit Orchestra Hall through the Stage Door on Marquette Avenue. Remember that parents are not allowed backstage and may not sit in the Hall during the dress rehearsals. However, the lobby will be open on Saturday from 8:30am-1:00pm for parents who want to wait.
For the concert, students must also enter through the Stage Door. The concert should end between 5:00 and 5:15pm. At the conclusion of the concert, all students must first go backstage to retrieve their belongings and pack up their instruments before exiting. Please remember to determine where to meet your family after the concert. While it is difficult to control the mass exodus of 400 students, orchestra members will likely come to the lobby from the following areas:
Philharmonia and Philharmonic: main floor lobby near the box office
Concertino: main floor lobby by Peavey Plaza
Sinfonia and Concert Orchestra: Tier 1 or main floor lobby by Peavey Plaza
Symphony: may exit through the Stage Door
MORE NEWS
YEAR-END ORCHESTRA PARTIES
All orchestras except Concertino will have year-end celebrations during their last rehearsals on Monday and Tuesday, May 5 and 6. For those orchestras, the Spring Festival concert marks the last event of the year. Concertino will have a special gathering next Monday, May 12, 7 – 8pm at Lutheran Church of the Reformation.
SENIORS
2008 Senior Yearbooks will be distributed at the Spring Festival dress rehearsals on May 10. When you arrive at Orchestra Hall for the concert on Sunday, be sure to pick up your corsage to wear. Thank you to Denise Engen for coordinating the flowers.
GTCYS SUMMER ORCHESTRA
Applications are now being accepted for GTCYS’ 2008 Summer Orchestra program. GTCYS offers an exciting opportunity for young people to continue playing in a full symphony orchestra when school is out. Enrollment is open to beginning and advanced string, woodwind, brass and percussion students who will be in any grade during the 2008 – 2009 school year. The two orchestras, Summer Symphony (for more advanced players) and Summer Philharmonic (for developing students), will be co-conducted by Artistic Director Amir Kats and staff conductor Sarah Chelgren. Weekly rehearsals are at Good Samaritan Church, 5730 Grove Street in Edina on Tuesday nights, June 3 – July 22. Highlights this year include sectionals with professional musicians and a free community concert at Como Park, which will be shared with the Stuttgart Youth Symphony from Germany. No audition necessary. Financial aid is available. Current GTCYS students should have received registration forms in the mail; you may also download a copy from our web site at www.gtcys.org or call the office.
2008-09 AUDITIONS
Audition slots are filling up! Audition dates are May 16-18 and May 30-31 at Mayflower Church in Minneapolis. Students should have received the new audition guide in the mail. Students can apply online at www.gtcys.org or can mail in the application form. Be sure to apply early, as audition slots are scheduled on a first-come, first-served basis. Also remember to review the scale requirements for each orchestra on the web site: www.gtcys.org.
HOSTS NEEDED
The Stuttgart Youth Symphony will join GTCYS’ summer orchestras in concert at Como Park in July. The German students are in need of home-stay hosts while they are in the Twin Cities. Families willing to host student in their homes for two nights on July 21 and 22 should contact Symphony Parent Captain Denise Engen at (612) 920-3547.
MUSICIAN NEWS
Elizabeth Card (Concertino flute) has been accepted into All State Orchestra.
Alison Chorn (Symphony percussion) - was selected for the MN Music Educators Association All-State Symphonic Band, and also received a superior rating in the MN State High School League solo and ensemble contest. She will also be attending the 2 week Juilliard Summer Percussion Seminar held at Juilliard in New York City. She is among 16 admitted from 55 applicants.
Katie Landreville (Bass Clarinet Concertino) has been selected to the grades 9-10 Honor band sponsored by the Minnesota Band Directors Association.
SHARE YOUR NEWS
We love to hear what GTCYS musicians are up to. Let us know if you have any musical news to share!
VOLUNTEER THANKS
We would like to thank our parents who volunteered in the office: Usha Abramovitz, Rita Culshaw, Martha Lips, Patty Pryor and Kim Wu. At concerts: Jill Eisenberg, Jon Eisenberg, Jill Woodward, Scott Woodward.
We would also like to extend a special thanks to this season’s Parent Captains: Kara Jeter (Philharmonia), Cheryl Pysick (Sinfonia), Lisa Lee (Concertino), Bonnie Turpin (Concert), Cynthia Roper (Philharmonic), and Denise Engen (Symphony).
SUMMER VOLUNTEERS NEEDED
We are in need of parents who can volunteer in the GTCYS office during the summer months. We also have some projects that can be done from home with a phone and computer. If you are available to help, please contact Denise at denise@gtcys.org or 612-767-7604. Thank you!
FOR SALE
Lewis & Son viola, 16” Dankla model. Manufactured in 1969, recently appraised and found to be in excellent condition, case included. $500.00. Contact Staci Jensen at 952-933-1974.
ABSENCE LINE
GTCYS’ Absence Line (612-767-7608) is a voicemail with a mailbox for each orchestra. If you have an unexpected absence, be sure to leave a message in your orchestra's mailbox before your rehearsal is scheduled to begin. Remember to complete and submit an absence form to your RA for any absence.
NewsNotes are published at the beginning of every month during the school year for GTCYS parents and students. Look for important rehearsal and concert information here.