What's New for the 2009/2010 Season
Wind Ensemble
The wind ensemble will be starting its second year with expanded instrumentation! Our wind section is growing. With a continuing partnership with talented composer and arranger Mark Arnet, the wind ensemble will continue its innovation with creative repertoire this year opening the first concert with a new compilation of french folk songs followed by a new setting of early American music from the immensely popular 19th century tune book "Southern Harmony" for the second concert. Look forward to some wonderful performances by the wind ensemble this year.
Music Theory
New to the BYS for the 2009-10 season will be a Monday night theory class available to all students. Interested students will be placed in one of three classes (Beginning, Intermediate, and Advanced) based upon their background knowledge in music theory. Classes will build on developing strong musicianship skills focusing on rhythm reading and internal pulse to improve sight reading skills, solfeggi sight singing to improve sense of pitch, and elements of harmony to improve composition and ensemble skills. All classes will be instructed using a tried and true method that has successfully produced outstanding musicianship for many years. Beginning and intermediate classes will prepare students to take the advanced class which will focus on composition skills. Students in the advanced class will be paired with a composition mentor from the composition department at the University of Colorado. The goal of this mentorship will be to introduce students to modern composition skills. This course is a *must* for any student at any age level wishing to be an outstanding musician, pursue a degree in music, or take the AP music theory test.
Classes will be 1.5 hours in length (Estimated times on Monday: Beginning 4pm-5:30, Intermediate 5:45pm-7:15pm, Advanced 7:30pm-9pm). Classes will be taught roughly 10 times per semester, meeting at First Congregational Church. Tuition per semester will be $120 per student. Classes will be limited to 15 students in each level allowing a high level of individual attention.
Mentors
The BYS is delighted to announce, that we will have the pleasure and benefit of having the Tesla Quartet (Julliard students) mentoring our Symphony students this season. This promises to be an exciting season with this wonderful quartet working with us.
Retreat
The staff at the BYS in coordination with a small number of parent volunteers is working to put together a Fall Retreat. This exciting event will be used to get a jump-start on our fall music and will include many fun activities allowing everyone to get to know each other. If you are interested in helping as a parent volunteer, please contact us ASAP.