Orchestra Guidelines
Program Overview
The New York Youth Symphony is unique among youth orchestras. With its sophisticated programming, performances in one of the world’s greatest concert halls, superb musical leadership, new works commissioned from the nation’s brightest young composers, and professional-level attitude, it is indeed something special. Thanks to your commitment and dedication, understanding of the organization’s purpose, objectives, and importance, this special quality continues to flourish.
In order to maintain the high level of quality for which the orchestra is known, we are sharing our expectations for members of the orchestra for the season. In this handbook you will find the dates of rehearsals and performances for the season as well as the guidelines for participating in the program. Please contact your Orchestra Manager or the Administrative Staff at the NYYS Office with any questions you may have about the guidelines or requirements of the program.
Attendance Guidelines
When joining the program, we ask that students make a commitment to the program and its rehearsal schedule and avoid scheduling other activities during the scheduled orchestra rehearsals and performances. Attending rehearsals strengthens the group as an ensemble and enhances the student’s experience. Although we expect students to commit to attending every rehearsal, we know that there are conflicts that are unavoidable. Students are allowed a maximum of two (2) excused absences during each concert cycle. Please note that there are mandatory rehearsals and performances for each concert cycle. These dates are noted in the Program Calendar. Absences at mandatory events will result in dismissal from the program with the possible exception of a death in the family or a serious medical emergency.
Rehearsals start promptly at the time indicated on the schedule. Musicians should be fully warmed up and in their seats 15 minutes prior to the start of rehearsal. Rehearsals are closed to the public, unless you are notified otherwise by the Orchestra Manager.
Partial absences will be deducted as follows:
• Late arrival or early departure up to 15 minutes: ¼ absence
• Late arrival or early departure up to 30 minutes: ½ absence
• More than 30 minutes missed of rehearsal: Full absence
Please be aware that parking may be difficult around concert and rehearsal venues and you should plan your time accordingly to be able to arrive on time.
Concert Attendance
Absence from a Concert (whether Queens or Carnegie) will result in dismissal from the Orchestra. Lateness to a Concert may result in reseating. In addition, one full absence will be applied to the next concert cycle.
Communication / Absences
Due to the large number of musicians in the Orchestra, we ask that all communication to the Orchestra Manager be via email at orchestra@nyys.org. Please do not phone or text your absence information as we need to have a record of the absence. In case of anticipated absence, musicians are expected to notify the Orchestra Manager via email at least 24 hours in advance of any expected absence. Musicians must contact via email the Orchestra Manager within 24 hours following any unscheduled absence in order to confirm future participation in the program.
Materials
Each musician will receive one set of practice parts for each concert cycle. You may keep the set of practice parts, but if they are lost they are available for download on the NYYS web site. Performance parts are used in rehearsals and concerts and must remain in the performance folders at all times. Each player is responsible for his/her performance parts and must cover the costs for any missing parts, estimated at $10. All questions regarding parts should be addressed to the Librarian.
Kickoff Weekend
During the Kickoff Weekend Retreat, held September 21-23, 2012, musicians participate in intensive rehearsals and sectionals to start out the season. Other activities, including a talent show and workshops, will be held throughout the weekend. It is a great way to meet members of the orchestra and Kickoff the season!
Attendance is mandatory for at least two of the scheduled rehearsals and absences will count towards the first concert cycle. The Orchestra Manager must be notified in advance if you are not going to be able to attend a rehearsal or sectional during the Kickoff Weekend. Profanity, alcohol (regardless of age), illicit drugs, tobacco products, and disruptive behavior will not be tolerated during New York Youth Symphony events, including the Kickoff. Violators of this policy are subject to immediate dismissal.
FELLOWSHIPS
Fellowships are awarded to select principal players in the string, wind, brass, and percussion sections at the discretion of the Music Director. Fellows serve in special leadership roles in the orchestra and have additional requirements during the season, including performing on the Composition Program’s Orchestration+ and Composition Date concerts.
The DiMenna Center FOR CLASSICAL MUSIC
The majority of rehearsals and sectionals will be held at the The DiMenna Center for Classical Music, located at 450 West 37th Street, New York, NY. Musicians should arrive no earlier than 30 minutes before rehearsal and should go directly to their designated rehearsal location. Practicing in rooms other than those designated is strictly prohibited.
Please note that parking in the area around the The DiMenna Center may be difficult to secure and there may be heavy traffic due to the proximity to the Lincoln Tunnel and the Javits Center, so please plan your travel time accordingly. Being late to rehearsal due to traffic or not being able to secure parking is not an acceptable reason for not arriving on time.
Queens College Concerts
The New York Youth Symphony provides transportation for students to the concerts held at the Colden Auditorium at Kupferberg Center, Queens College. Students have the option to take a bus with other students or secure their own transportation to the venue. The bus will depart from a location around Bryant Park (42nd and 6th Avenue) with the exact location and time of the departure communicated to students by the Orchestra Manager.
All students must complete the online travel form distributed by the Orchestra Manager so transportation for all students to the venue can be accounted for. Please notify the Orchestra Manager in advance if you will only take the bus in one direction or if your plans change and will not be taking the bus at the last minute. If you are not using the provided transportation it is your responsibility to arrive in time for the dress rehearsal, which is a mandatory rehearsal.
Instrument cartage: Only string bass players may expect to secure a seat onboard for their instrument. Any other instrument requiring an individual seat must have this request authorized in advance by the Orchestra Manager. Generally, such instruments are transported in the hold of the coach.
2012/2013 CONCERT SCHEDULE
Sunday, November 11, 2012
Queens College
Sunday November 25, 2012
Carnegie Hall
Cho-Liang Lin, Philippe Quint, Samuel Katz*, Alice Ivy-Pemberton*, violins
Shostakovich: Festive Overture
Maurer: Sinfonia Concertante for Four Violins in A minor, op. 55
Gabriel Zucker: Universal at Midnight, (world premiere) featuring NYYS Jazz
Dvorák: Symphony No. 9 in E minor, “From the New World”
Sunday, March 3, 2013
Queens College
Sunday, March 24, 2013
Carnegie Hall
Gary Graffman, piano
Paul Dooley: Run for the Sun, (world premiere)
Ravel: Piano Concerto for the Left Hand
Prokofiev: Suite from Romeo and Juliet
Sunday, May 12, 2013
Queens College
Sunday May 26, 2013
Carnegie Hall
Evan Hughes*, bass-baritone
Beethoven: Overture to The Creatures of Prometheus, op. 43
John Glover: Natural Systems (world premiere)
Mahler: Symphony No. 1, “Titan”
* Durst Debut Artist: The Roy and Shirley Durst Début Series, initiated by the New York Youth Symphony in 1997, provides the most gifted emerging performers with an opportunity to play with the nation’s premier young people’s orchestra in début concerts in Carnegie Hall
