Danielle Johnson
Roles:
Front Range Youth Symphony Conductor
Javan Carson
Roles:
Chamber & Concert Strings Orchestra Conductor
Michelle Ewer
Roles:
Academy Strings Conductor
The Front Range Youth Symphony Orchestras bring together talented young musicians from across the Front Range for a unique study and training in Orchestral repertoire. Developed from a merger of the former Golden Youth and Arvada Center Youth Symphonies in 1990, the program offers four levels of participation: Academy Strings, Concert Strings, Chamber Strings, and Youth Symphony.
The group has toured on both coasts of the United States, the Bahamas, and Europe including a Walt Disney World performance tour in June of 2016. They have performed with National and guests artists such as the Lehnert Duo, Skip DeVol, Charles Langley, and Colcannon. The Youth Symphony has enjoyed many years of cooperation and educational collaborations with the National Repertory Orchestra, the Breckenridge Music Institute, Boulder Philharmonic Orchestra and the Colorado Chamber Orchestra.
Students who are members of any FRYS group are also required to participate in their school's instrumental music program. It is our belief that public school music programs offer students, among other things, valuable ensemble training and necessary repetition. The Front Range Youth Symphony Orchestras seek to enhance, not replace, school music programs.
Auditions are currently being held on a limited basis and by appointment only. Contact jpayne@arvadacenter.org.
Winter 2021 concerts are scheduled for February 8 and 9, starting at 7:00 p.m. A limited number of in-person concert tickets are available for each performance. Please call the Box Office at 720-898-7200 to purchase these, and contact Julie Payne (jpayne@arvadacenter.org) with any questions.
All four performances will be streamed live each night! Livestream tickets are $5 per link, for either the February 8 or February 9 performance. After you purchase, a link will be sent to you about an hour before the concert to the email address you use to buy tickets.
Monday, February 8
Academy Strings performance - 7:00 p.m.
Front Range Youth Symphony performance - 8:00 p.m.
Tuesday, February 9
Concert Strings performance - 7:00 p.m.
Chamber Orchestra performance - 8:00 p.m.
The Front Range Youth Symphony recognizes Bryce Melaragno from Lakewood High School as the 2020 Teacher of the Year! Watch his acceptance speech below.
Conducted by Danielle Johnson, this orchestra provides unique training in orchestral repertoire for advanced high school and college-age musicians up to the age of 21. All orchestral string, brass, woodwind, and percussion instruments are welcome. All instrumentalists should have commanding facility on their instrument.
*Rehearsals on Tuesday evenings from 6:30-9:00
Youth Symphony participants:
Orchestra music: Grade 5+
Suzuki level (strings): Book 7 - 10
Ages: 9th grade-age 21
Audition Requirements for Youth Symphony Strings:
Woodwind and Brass:
Percussion:
Snare drum percussionists will be asked to demonstrate 2 of the 26 rudiments of the adjudicator’s choice, slow to fast to slow
The season begins with a required three-day summer music camp, starting at the Arvada Center and concluding with an overnight retreat in Breckenridge, CO with the Breckenridge Music Institute.
Tuition: $500 for the Season
Summer Camp Tuition: $130
Audition Fee: $20
Rehearsals: Tuesdays, 6:30 to 9:00 PM
August, 2019 through April, 2020
Conducted by Javan Carson, this orchestra was formed to create a high-level string ensemble, to perform advanced chamber literature. This is a program for students who have played for several years and have had private lessons. The Chamber Orchestra concentrates on refining students’ orchestral playing techniques by focusing on ensemble skills, sight-reading, advanced playing positions, and advanced bowing techniques. Students must audition to participate in the program.
*Rehearsals on Wednesday evenings from 7:45 PM-9:15 PM
Chamber Orchestra participants:
Orchestra music: Grade 3.5 - 5
Suzuki level: late Book 4 - Book 7 (violin), late Book 4 - 6 (viola and cello)
Ages: 11-Senior in high school
Audition Requirements for Chamber Orchestra
The season begins with a required three-day summer music camp at the Arvada Center.
Tuition: $400 for the Season
Summer Camp Tuition: $100
Audition Fee: $20
Rehearsals: Wednesdays, 7:45 PM - 9:15 PM
August, 2020 through April, 2021
Conducted by Javan Carson, this is a program for students who have played for two to three years and have had private lessons for at least one year. This group emphasizes ensemble and music reading skills, and the development of orchestral playing techniques. Students must audition to participate in the program.
*Rehearsals on Wednesday evenings from 6:45 PM-7:45 PM
Concert Strings participants:
Orchestra music: Grade 2 - 3
Suzuki level: Book 3 - 5
Ages: 8 - 14
Audition Requirements for Concert Strings
The season begins with a required three-day summer music camp at the Arvada Center.
Tuition: $375 for the Season
Summer Camp Tuition: $100
Audition Fee: $20
Rehearsals: Wednesdays, 6:45 PM-7:45 PM
August, 2020 through April, 2021
Conducted by Michelle Ewer, this is a preparatory group intended for students with between one and three years of experience. This group will help students with their school music programs using a curriculum that supports and augments their musical endeavors. Focus is on technique and creating a quality string tone while having fun learning. This class is perfect for those students who may need a smaller ensemble opportunity or for those who have switched instruments and need some extra help.
*Rehearsals on Wednesday evenings from 5:30 PM-6:15 PM
Academy Strings participants:
Orchestra music: Grade 1 - 2
Suzuki level: Book 1 - 3
Ages: 8 - 8th grade
Audition Requirements for Academy Strings
The season begins with a required three-day summer music camp at the Arvada Center.
Tuition: $275 for the Season
Summer Camp Tuition: $60
Rehearsals: Wednesdays, 5:30 PM-6:15 PM
August, 2020 through April, 2021
Roles:
Front Range Youth Symphony Conductor
Roles:
Chamber & Concert Strings Orchestra Conductor
Roles:
Academy Strings Conductor
Youth Symphony, begins Tuesday, August 27, 6:30-9:00
Academy Strings, begins Wednesday, August 28, 5:30 PM-6:15 PM
Concert Strings, begins Wednesday, August 28, 6:45 PM-7:45 PM
Chamber Orchestra, begins Wednesday, August 28, 7:45 PM-9:15 PM
The Arvada Center offers classes in four sessions per year and accept scholarship applications prior to each session of classes. Scholarship awards are given for either full or partial tuition.
Scholarships are available for all ages, children through adults, and are awarded in recognition of financial need and talent. Selections for scholarship awards are made through review of applications and submitted letters of recommendation.