OUR ENSEMBLES
Experience Excellence in Orchestral Training
OUR ENSEMBLES
The Civic Youth Orchestra consists of seven graded ensembles, from our beginning Prelude Orchestra to the Symphony Orchestra. Each ensemble has its own scope and focus based on age and ability. Placement in CYO ensembles is determined by audition in the spring and summer.​ ​
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Prelude Orchestra
Prelude Orchestra is designed to be a student’s first ensemble experience and includes violin, viola, cello, and bass instruments. Beginning students who participate in the Prelude Orchestra generally have been playing for 1 or more years and have private instructors to help them with their assigned orchestra music. To join, students must demonstrate the ability to read all first position notes on the musical staff for their respective instrument, with basic rhythmic accuracy, and good intonation. The music selections of the Prelude Orchestra are typically arrangements of original string orchestra pieces in the keys of D, G, or C major and their relative minors. Prelude musicians will learn the fundamentals of orchestral playing and etiquette, and must demonstrate the maturity to participate in weekly 2-hour rehearsals and three performances per season. Participation in the annual summer workshop is required. The conductor for this group is Shannon Yandall.
The Intermezzo Orchestra is a string orchestra that is designed to reinforce fundamental orchestral skills while preparing students to progress to a more intermediate ensemble. Intermezzo Orchestra instruments include violin, viola, cello, and bass. Students who participate in the Intermezzo Orchestra generally have been playing for 2 or more years and have some fundamental experience playing in an ensemble. Students are expected to have private instructors to help them with their assigned orchestra music. The music selections are typically original string orchestra arrangements and simplified arrangements of larger orchestral works. Students will begin to explore various styles of music, and learn to develop and apply new skills required to play faster and more complex arrangements. Students will expand on their knowledge of fundamental orchestral musicianship and etiquette. In order to participate in the Intermezzo Orchestra, students are required to participate in either the Prelude Orchestra or Intermediate Orchestra; please see other ensembles. Participation in performances and the annual summer workshop is required. The conductor for this group is Shannon Yandall.
Intermezzo Orchestra
Intermediate Orchestra
The Intermediate Orchestra is a string orchestra that includes violin, viola, cello, and bass. Students who participate in the Intermediate Orchestra generally have been playing for 3 or more years and have some experience playing in an ensemble. The music selections are typically arrangements of larger orchestral works that have been transcribed for string orchestras or original works by modern composers. Students will explore various styles of classical music, learn to apply skills they have developed, and learn orchestral musicianship and etiquette. Being in Intermediate Orchestra, students are required to participate in Intermezzo Orchestra or Chamber Orchestra; please see other ensembles. Participation in performances and the annual summer workshop is required. The conductor for this group is Paul Wang.
Advanced students from Intermediate Orchestra will create the Chamber Orchestra. To join, students must be in the Intermediate Orchestra. Students who participate in the Chamber Orchestra generally have been playing for 4 or more years and have experience playing in an ensemble. The music selections are typically arrangements of larger orchestral works that have been transcribed for string orchestras or original works by modern composers. Chamber Orchestra students will also be challenged with higher level repertoire that includes more difficult techniques and musicality. Participation in performances and the annual summer workshop is required. The conductor for this group is Paul Wang.
Chamber Orchestra
Wind Ensemble
The Wind Ensemble is composed primarily of middle and high school students with experience on a woodwind, brass or percussion instrument. Rehearsals include developing technique and musicianship skills. Literature ranges from standard wind ensemble works to arrangements of movie, musical, Jazz and Rock classics. For the first half of each weekly rehearsal, and for performances, Wind Ensemble students are joined by woodwind, brass and percussion students placed in the Symphonic Orchestra. After the break, Wind Ensemble students continue rehearsing their literature. The ensemble performs three times each season and at the mandatory summer workshop. The conductor for this group is Jonathan Ingber.
The Symphonic Orchestra is composed primarily of high school students and is a full orchestra. The combination of strings, woodwinds, brass and percussion makes possible the performance of a wide variety of symphonic works, including music of the Baroque, Classical and Romantic periods. Woodwind, brass and percussion students placed in the Symphonic Orchestra also rehearse and perform with the Wind Ensemble. They join Wind Ensemble students for the first half of each weekly rehearsal while the strings have their sectional. After the break, they join the strings as a full orchestra. For many, this ensemble is an introduction to advanced orchestral literature and is part of the rehearsal-and-performance-skills preparation necessary for a possible move-up to the Symphony Orchestra. The Symphonic Orchestra performs at least four times each season and additionally, those placed there are required to participate in the CYO Annual Retreat during Labor Day weekend in Julian, CA. The conductor for this group is Alyze Dreiling.
Symphonic Orchestra
Symphony Orchestra
The CYO Symphony Orchestra is the flagship ensemble in the CYO program. It is a full symphony orchestra, encompassing all string, woodwind, brass, percussion instruments necessary to play major orchestral literature. Typical repertoire includes symphonies of Beethoven, Brahms, Tchaikovsky, Prokofiev, and Shostakovich. Other representative literature includes suites, overtures, and works by Bizet, Holst, von Suppe, Rossini, and Verdi. The Symphony Orchestra plays original compositions, not arrangements.
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Admittance to the Symphony Orchestra is based on an in-person audition. Prospective students should access the audition page on the CYO website for detailed information regarding appropriate solo repertoire and necessary scales for their audition. Students in the orchestra are typically advanced high school students, although a few very gifted middle school students are sometimes admitted. Students who graduate from high school and attend local colleges are also welcome to continue in CYO.
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In addition to the regular CYO rehearsal schedule, students are required to attend the CYO Annual Retreat over Labor Day weekend in the Julian mountains. Selected students also have an opportunity to perform in multiple performances of "The Nutcracker" ballet in December. The Symphony Orchestra has also performed at Copley/Symphony Hall in San Diego and the Walt Disney Concert Hall. The current performance home for the Symphony Orchestra is the California Center for the Arts, Escondido in the Concert Hall. The conductor for this group is Robert Gilson.
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Rehearsal Location:
Classical Academy High School - PLC
130 Woodward Avenue
Escondido, CA 92025
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Rehearsal Time:
Saturday 9:00 a.m. - Noon
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Contact Us:
(760) 728-1977
