Excited to Learn: Your Child In Youth Symphony Orchestras

 

That look…that bright light of excitement that shines when your child is learning, and growing.  Is your musical child looking to learn even more?  Where do you go?

Our youngest son loved his Kindermusik™ classes at three, loved playing the recorder at five, and was ready to play the trumpet at seven.  But what happens when he is nine and has had private trumpet lessons for two years when entering that group of new musicians in the 4^th grade?  How in the heck do you keep him excited to learn when he is so far ahead?

To keep them excited about their instrument, and about music, here’s an option. Play in a youth symphony orchestra (YSO).  The ages for many YSO’s are 7 all the way up to 21 years of age.  Yep, 7!  The time commitment is typically 1 rehearsal a week and a handful of performances during the year.

Would you like to hear the largest YSO in the Country?  The Seattle Youth Symphony Orchestras holds this honor and has created a video story.

We are especially lucky in the Pacific Northwest to have so many YSO's.  Here is the list and links (in alphabetical order):

Bellevue Youth Symphony Orchestra

Cascade Youth Symphony Orchestra (in Edmonds)

Everett Youth Symphony Orchestras

Olympia Youth Orchestra

Renton Youth Symphony Orchestra

Seattle Youth Symphony Orchestras

Tacoma Youth Symphony Association

Interested in a YSO in Dallas? Chicago? Here is a webpage with links to All Youth Orchestras with Web Sites

Auditions are usually held in the fall, so there is some time to prepare for Fall 2009.  In the meantime, take some private lessons and get practicing!