Youth Orchestra of the Rockies

The Concert Strings builds upon our younger musicians’ skills to develop musicality, improve technical ability and sight reading and prepare them for the Symphony Orchestra. Concert Strings musicians learn challenging orchestra works and every Concert Strings member participates in a Prelude Chamber Ensemble with individual coaching. Concert Strings performs two major orchestra and chamber concerts per season as well as the Parent Guild’s Fall Fundraiser. Prelude Chamber Ensembles are required to perform at least one concert at a small venue within the community, such as a school, business, or nursing home.

The following is meant to provide general objectives and guidelines as a starting point for the chamber program.

OBJECTIVES

The students will learn to be musically independent through preparing and performing ensemble music that requires individual responsibility.
Techniques the students will learn by working in a small ensemble:
1. Communication skills/problem solving
2. Learning the necessary tools needed to play and practice as a small group
3. Verbal and non-verbal communication
The students will also learn Performance Etiquette & Professional Expectations in both rehearsal and concert settings.
From performing at Outside venues students will develop:
1. Sight reading/music reading skills
2. Time Management
3. How to set both practice and performance goals

PROGRAM STRUCTURE (Tentative)

Ensembles
1. Students will be assigned into groups consisting of 3 or 4 players, with possibly one or two groups having as many as 5 or 6 players.
2. Each group will meet weekly on Sundays for 8 sessions, and will meet with a chamber coach for at least a portion of each of those sessions.
Coaches
1. Each coach will be assigned up to two ensembles.
2. They will be professional string players, or an alternative instrument approved by the Head Chamber Coach.
3. They will be compensated for each service they are expected to attend, see Rates section.
Performances
1. The program will culminate in a final performance, at which all ensembles will be required to perform.
2. Additional outside performance venues may be arranged through the Head Coach.