back
to the topABOUT the BYO
PURPOSE
The purpose of the Buckhead Youth Orchestra (BYO), established by Juan R.
Ramirez and under the auspices of the Atlanta Virtuosi Foundation, Inc., is to
provide an orchestral experience of pre-college and pre-professional caliber to
talented young musicians selected by audition from the metro and outlying areas
of Atlanta. This orchestral program is a comprehensive musical curriculum for
strings, designed to provide an in-depth traditional, classical, and cultural
music experience. Intensive preparation for public performance, development of
basic technical skills, and professional coaching sessions are enhanced by local
and regional concerto competitions, summer music festivals, and student
scholarship opportunities.
Since its inception, The Buckhead Youth Orchestra has been endorsed by the
Buckhead Coalition, Sam Massell, President. Its programs include the Parvaneh
Mehdian Memorial Scholarship Fund, Regional Young Artists Concerto Competition,
and educational children concert activities to a population of children that do
not have access to the Arts.
The Buckhead Youth Orchestra is in residence at Northwest Presbyterian Church in
Buckhead. The concert season regularly consists of a series of eight concerts
and includes special performances to support the endeavors of other
organizations such the Breman Jewish Heritage Museum, the Buckhead Business
Association, the Starlight Children's Foundation, the Consumers’ Choice Awards
for Business Excellence, and Atlanta Symphony Associates Decorators’ Show House.
ELIGIBILITY
The BYO is open to all young string musicians and harpists. All participants
must audition for acceptance into the program based on their level of musical
ability. Private instruction and participation in your school orchestra program
(if applicable) are a prerequisite to acceptance into the BYO program. The BYO
endorses all public and private school music programs.
Attendance at all rehearsals and performances is mandatory.
Concerts and Dress Rehearsals are mandatory, no absences are excused.
A maximum of four (4) excused absences are allowed provided written notice is received in advance from a parent or school orchestra teacher (i.e. sickness, family emergency, school orchestra engagements).
More than two (2) unexcused absences can result in dismissal.
Membership in the Parent’s Association is mandatory for all parents.
FEES
All fees, in the form of a check, money order, or cash must be paid in full by
the Parent and Student Orientation. If not
paid in full by the due date the student may not participate in the program.
Separate checks are preferred.
BYO tuition $350
BYO Parent Association dues are $50
BYO music folder fee of $10 (The music folder is yours to keep at the end of the season. Returning BYO members have the option of re-using their previous folder or purchasing a new folder.)
AUDITIONS
Auditions will be held at Northwest Presbyterian Church in Buckhead, located at
4300 Northside Drive, Atlanta, GA 30327.
Saturday and Sunday - September 18 & 19, 2004
The required excerpts for audition will be mailed to you upon receipt of your completed application and non-refundable application fee. Auditions will be scheduled upon receipt of the letter of recommendation from your private teacher. Notification of audition time and location will be mailed to you. Extended deadline applicants audition times will be mailed out in the order of the applications received.
A concerto movement or solo piece from the standard repertoire.
The required excerpts. (If auditioning for both orchestras you are required to play all excerpts from each orchestra.)
Two, 3 octave scales (1 Major and 1 Melodic Minor) of your choice.
APPLICATION
Please print and fill in all requested information. An incomplete or illegible
application will be rejected
What is a completed application? (No. 4 not required to obtain excerpts)
an application
an application fee
a musical bio/resume
a written letter of recommendation from your private music teacher
You will receive your audition excerpts once your completed application is processed. Upon receipt of your letter of recommendation from your private teacher, your audition will be scheduled.
Completed applications along with a non-refundable application fee of $25 ($35 if applying to both orchestras) must be mailed to:
The Atlanta Virtuosi Foundation, Inc., P.O. Box 77047, Atlanta, GA 30357
An incomplete or illegible application will be rejected. Application must be postmarked no later than Wednesday, August 25, 2004. Late applications will be accepted by an extended application deadline. Please contact 404. 246. 1303 to setup a extended deadline audition. Please make check or money order payable to: The Atlanta Virtuosi Foundation, Inc.
EDUCATION
The Atlanta Virtuosi Foundation offers an Orchestral
Studies program during the summer. The program is open to all BYO
members. Placement of musicians is based upon musical ability.
CONCERT PROGRAMS
Each orchestra has numerous performances in a variety of locations each season.
(Please see our
CONCERT
SCHEDULE
for specific dates, times, and driving directions.) For ticket
information/reservations or if you would like to purchase an advertisement in
our playbill, please call BYO at 404-246-1393 or e-mail:
information@buckheadyouthorchestra.com
Parvaneh
Mehdian
Memorial Scholarship Fund.
Open to current BYO members for the continuing of their music education.
BYO
Concerto Competition
Open only to current BYO members, this private concerto competition in the
winter with a performance with the Chamber Orchestra in the spring. The Junior
Division is open to BYO musicians 8th grade and below, the Senior
Division is open to BYO musicians in High School.
BYO
Regional Young Artists Concerto
Competition
Open to the Southeast region of the United States, cash prizes are awarded to
all named winners in the Junior, Senior, and Undergraduate Divisions. Winners
perform with the Chamber Orchestra and invited guests in the Season Finale
performance of the 2004-2005 Concert Season. The competition is open to violin,
viola, cello, contrabass, harp, guitar, voice, and piano. Winners of BYO-RYACC
are not eligible to apply in consecutive years.
Golden
Isles Summer Music Festival
An intense pre-professional experience for serious young musicians
in residency at Epworth by the Sea, St. Simons Island, Georgia. The festival
offers students an inspiring natural environment to study and develop their
musical skills as well as enjoy their time with other young musicians.
Chamber
Players
A performance group comprised of all principal chair members of the Chamber
Orchestra with special performances throughout the season in addition to the BYO
performance schedule.
Chamber
Orchestra
An advanced string orchestra. Placement of musicians into the orchestras or
ensembles is based upon musical ability.
String
Orchestra
An intermediate string orchestra. Placement of musicians into the orchestras or
ensembles is based upon musical ability.
Harp
Ensemble
BYO Harpists, pedal and C-harps, have the opportunity to perform with the
Chamber Orchestra and the Chamber Players. Placement of musicians into the
orchestras or ensembles is based upon musical ability.
Chamber
Music Ensemble
Members of the Chamber Orchestra have the opportunity to be put in quartets and
perform in a chamber music series, a NEW addition to our concert season.
Quartets will rehearse outside of BYO and will regularly check in with coaches
and the director during BYO rehearsal times. Placement of musicians into the
orchestras or ensembles is based upon musical ability.
Ensembles
Program
A program is specially designed for introductory and intermediate developmental
music education of stringed instrument studies with concentration on basic
techniques of bowing, fingering and playing skills. Placement of musicians into
the orchestras or ensembles is based upon musical ability.