LOUDOUN SYMPHONY YOUTH ORCHESTRA (LSYO)
The Loudoun Symphony Youth Orchestra provides an opportutnity for the talented young musicians in the county to rehearse and perform orchestral music throughout the school year. The LSYO season includes weekly rehearsals, two concerts, a master class, and a concerto competition. Participation in the Youth Orchestra is through audition and is open to youth aged 10 -18 years who have played their instrument for at least three years. Membership is subject to an annual tuition of $300. Scholarships are available.
*** Many thanks to Wayne’s World Music for providing the LSYO audition venue. ***
The LSYO Scholarship Fund is supported by our Education Partners:
Dominion, Jerry and Alice Foltz, Carol and Roger Haverfield, Jane Hughes and Bill Jokela, William and Sandra Kane, Don and Sue O’Brien, and Middleburg Bank.
LOUDOUN STRING WORKSHOP
The Loudoun String Workshop provides an opportunity for string players of all ages and ability levels to play in an ensemble. When possible, volunteer Loudoun Symphony members play alongside the workshop members, providing advice and assistance. The workshop rehearses weekly just before the Loudoun Symphony rehearsal and presents three short concerts each season. The String Workshop offers the only opportunity in the area for adult beginning string players to receive this kind of ensemble experience. In addition, many youth play in String Workshop while working towards participation in the youth orchestra. There are no auditions or fees. Players are welcome to participate in a rehearsal before deciding to join.
LOUDOUN’S GOT TALENT!
Loudoun’s Got Talent is an annual talent contest for solo performance by students in grades 9-12 who reside or attend school in Loudoun County. A preliminary round of auditions selects ten finalists to compete in concert. At the concert, the top three performers are selected by a panel of judges, including Maestro Mark Allen McCoy, in combination with the audience vote. The three finalists win scholarships of $1,000, $500, and $250, and the winner performs at a symphony concert during the following season. The audition registration fee is $25. The fee may be waived with proof of need.
FAMILY CONCERTS
The purpose of the Family Concerts is to open the world of orchestral music to young people. The concerts are less formal than the regular season concerts and present music that includes exciting themes, colorful staging, dance, storytelling, audience participation, and performances by young prodigies. These lively concerts last approximately one hour and are fun for both performers and audience. Children of all ages are welcome.
IN-SCHOOL MINI-CONCERTS
The In-School Mini-Concerts are available during March, “Music in Our Schools” month. The concerts last approximately 45 minutes and include a performance by a professional Loudoun Symphony chamber group, instruction from the Music Director, discussion, demonstration of instruments, student participation, and an opportunity for the students to ask questions. The Symphony’s In-School Mini-Concerts reach over 3,000 students in public and private schools annually.
INSTRUMENT PETTING ZOO
Every year the Loudoun Symphony, in collaboration with the Loudoun County Public Library and Melodee Music, conducts a free Instrument Petting Zoo at the Rust Library in Leesburg. This popular program allows children to get “up close and personal” with the various instruments of the orchestra. In many cases, the experience has been the inspiration for the study of a musical instrument.