Seattle Youth Symphony Orchestra

Our Flagship Orchestra

Seattle Youth Symphony Orchestra

Stephen Radcliffe
Seattle Youth Symphony Orchestra Conductor & SYSO Music Director

About the Orchestra

Led by Conductor Stephen Radcliffe and comprised of talented young musicians in the Puget Sound region, the Seattle Youth Symphony Orchestra is SYSO’s flagship orchestra and one of the premier youth orchestras in the United States. Repertoire includes a variety of styles from early music to world premieres. The orchestra performs three regular season concerts in Benaroya Hall, home of the Seattle Symphony, and regularly partners with the Pacific Northwest Ballet, the Seattle Opera, regional Broadway musical theater organizations, local choruses, and internationally acclaimed guest artists and conductors.

PAY TUITION

SUBMIT ABSENCE FORM

AUDITION

EMAIL SECRETARY

YSO 2017-2018 CALENDAR

YSO sectionals and rehearsals are held at the University of Washington’s School of Music, unless otherwise noted.

September

9/9 SATURDAY – Coachings at Shorecrest HS
9:00-11:00 All YSO Members

9/16 SATURDAY
8:00-9:25 Violin I, Cello, & Viola Coaching
9:30-11:15 FULL Orchestra
11:15-12:00 Break
12:00-1:30 FULL Orchestra

9/23 SATURDAY
8:00-9:25 Violin II & Bass Coaching
9:30-11:15 FULL Orchestra
11:15-12:00 Break
12:00-1:30 FULL Orchestra

9/30 SATURDAY
8:00-9:25 Violin I & II, Cello, Viola Coaching
9:30-11:15 Percussion Coaching
9:30-11:15 String Sectional – Wind/Brass Coaching
11:15-12:00 Break
12:00-1:30 FULL Orchestra

October

10/7 SATURDAY
SYSO College Fair
8:00-9:25 Violin II & Bass Coaching
9:30-11:15 FULL Orchestra
11:15-12:00 Break
12:00-1:30 FULL Orchestra
Note: On Shorecrest HS Stage

10/14 SATURDAY
8:00-11:30 Seating Auditions for Strings
9:30-1:30 FULL Orchestra

10/21 SATURDAY
9:30-11:15 Percussion Coaching
9:30-11:15 String Sectional – Wind/Brass Coaching
11:15-12:00 Break
12:00-1:30 FULL Orchestra

10/28 SATURDAY
9:30-1:30 FULL Orchestra

November

11/4 SATURDAY
9:30-1:30 FULL Orchestra

11/11 SATURDAY
9:30-1:30 FULL Orchestra

11/14 TUESDAY: BENAROYA HALL
6:00-9:00PM Dress Rehearsal

11/18 SATURDAY: BENAROYA HALL
9:30-11:30 Dress Rehearsal
2:00PM YSO Concert (Call Time: 1:30PM)

11/25 SATURDAY: NO REHEARSAL

December

12/2 SATURDAY
8:00-9:25 Violin I Coaching
9:30-11:15 String Coachings
9:30-11:15 Woodwind & Brass Sectional
9:30-11:15 Percussion Coaching
11:15-12:00 Break
12:00-1:30 FULL Orchestra

12/9 SATURDAY
8:00-9:25 Cello, and Viola Coaching
9:30-11:15 FULL Orchestra
11:15-12:00 Break
12:00-1:30 FULL Orchestra

12/16 SATURDAY
8:00-9:25 Violin II & Bass Coaching
9:30-11:15 FULL Orchestra
11:15-12:00 Break
12:00-1:30 FULL Orchestra

12/23 SATURDAY: NO REHEARSAL

12/30 SATURDAY: NO REHEARSAL

January

1/6 SATURDAY
8:00-9:25 Violin I, Cello, & Viola Coaching (Barber)
9:30-10:30 Wind/Brass Coachings (Liszt, Brahms)
9:30-10:30 String Sectional (Liszt, Brahms)
10:45-11:30 FULL Orchestra (Liszt, Brahms)
11:30-12:15 Break
12:15-1:30 FULL Orchestra (Tchaikovsky, Barber)
1:45-3:00 Percussion Coaching

1/13 SATURDAY
8:00-9:25 Violin II & Bass Coaching
9:30-10:30 String Coachings (Liszt, Brahms)
9:30-10:30 Wind/Brass Sectional (Liszt, Brahms)
10:45-11:30 FULL Orchestra (Liszt, Brahms)
11:30-12:15 Break
12:15-1:30 FULL Orchestra (Tchaikovsky, Barber)

1/20 SATURDAY: BENAROYA HALL
SIDE BY SIDE WITH SEATTLE SYMPHONY
9:30-12:30 Rehearsal, Benaroya Hall
12:30-1:30 Luncheon with Seattle Symphony Musicians
1:30-2:15 Repertoire Lecture and Discussion
2:15-3:00 Symphony Orchestra Career Panel Discussion

1/21 SUNDAY: BENAROYA HALL
SIDE BY SIDE WITH SEATTLE SYMPHONY
9:00-12:30 Rehearsal, Benaroya Hall
3:00PM Concert

1/27 SATURDAY
SHOREWOOD HIGH SCHOOL!!!!!!
8:00-9:25 Violin I, Cello, & Viola Coaching
9:30-11:15 String Sectional – Wind/Brass Coaching
9:30-11:15 Percussion Coaching
11:15-12:00 Break
12:00-1:30 FULL Orchestra

February

2/3 SATURDAY
8:00-9:25 Violin II & Bass Coaching
9:30-11:15 FULL Orchestra
11:15-12:00 Break
12:00-1:30 FULL Orchestra

2/10 SATURDAY – SHORECREST HIGH SCHOOL
Time TBA: Seating Auditions for Strings
9:30-1:30 FULL Orchestra

2/17 SATURDAY: NO REHEARSAL

2/24 SATURDAY
9:30-11:15 FULL Orchestra
11:15-12:00 Break
12:00-1:30 FULL Orchestra

March

3/3 SATURDAY
8:00-9:25 Violin II & Bass Coaching
9:30-1:30 FULL Orchestra

3/10 SATURDAY
8:00-9:25 Violin I, Cello, & Viola Coaching
9:30-1:30 FULL Orchestra

3/11 SUNDAY – SHORECREST HS
2:00-5:00 FULL Orchestra

3/16 FRIDAY: MEANY HALL
6:00-9:00PM Dress Rehearsal

3/17 SATURDAY:
10:30-1:30PM REHEARSAL – SHORECREST H.S.
7:30PM CONCERT – MEANY HALL (7:00 CALL TIME)

3/24 SATURDAY
9:30-11:15 String Coaching
9:30-11:15 Woodwind & Brass Sectional
11:15-12:00 Break
12:00-1:30 Woodwind and Brass Coaching
12:00-1:30 String Sectional

3/31 SATURDAY – SHORECREST H.S.
8:00-9:25 Violin I&II, Viola, Cello, & Bass Coaching
9:30-1:30 FULL Orchestra
1:45-3:00 Percussion Coaching

April

4/7 SATURDAY
8:00 Seating Auditions for Strings
9:30-1:30 FULL Orchestra

4/14 SATURDAY
9:30-1:30 FULL Orchestra

4/18 WEDNESDAY: BENAROYA HALL
6:00-9:00PM Dress Rehearsal

4/21 SATURDAY: BENAROYA HALL
9:30-1:30 Dress Rehearsal

4/22 SUNDAY: BENAROYA HALL
9:30-12:00 Sound Check
3:00PM Concert (Call Time: 2:30)

4/28 SATURDAY
8:00-9:25 Violin I, Bass, Cello & Viola Coaching
9:30-11:15 Percussion Coaching
9:30-11:15 String Sectional – Wind/Brass Coaching
11:15-12:00 Break
12:00-1:30 FULL Orchestra

May

5/5 SATURDAY
8:00-9:25 Violin II Coaching
9:30-1:30 FULL Orchestra
11:15-12:00 Break
12:00-1:30 FULL Orchestra
1:45-3:00 Percussion Coaching

5/12 SATURDAY
8:00-9:25 Violin I & II, Viola, Cello, & Bass Coaching
9:30-11:15 FULL Orchestra
11:15-12:00 Break
12:00-1:30 FULL Orchestra
1:45-3:00 Percussion Coaching

5/16 WEDNESDAY: BENAROYA HALL
6:00-7:15PM Dress Rehearsal

5/19 SATURDAY: BENAROYA HALL
3:00PM Concert (Call Time: 2:30)

5/26 SATURDAY
9:30-1:30 PNB Orchestra

June

6/2 SATURDAY
SHOREWOOD H.S.
10:00-12:30 FULL Orchestra [PNB REPERTOIRE]

6/9 SATURDAY
SHORECREST H.S.
10:00-12:30 FULL Orchestra [PNB REPERTOIRE]

Tuesday, June 12
McCaw Hall
4:30-9:30 Rehearsals

Wednesday, June 13
McCaw Hall
5:00-9:45 Rehearsals

Thursday, June 14
McCaw Hall
5:30-10:00 Dress Rehearsals

Friday, June 15
McCaw Hall
7:00 Call Time
7:30 Performance #1 (Massenet, Golijov, Lasser)

Saturday, June 16
McCaw Hall
1:30 Call Time
2:00 Performance #2 (Britten, Mendelssohn)
4:15-6:30 Break
6:30 Call Time
7:00 Performance #3 (Britten, Mendelssohn)

Attendance Policy

Each participant will be allowed only two absences during the preparation time for each concert. If a third absence occurs, participation in the upcoming concert is at the discretion of the conductor and will require an audition of your part for the conductor. If a fourth absence occurs or your third absence is the Dress Rehearsal, the conductor will decide whether or not you will be allowed to play in the concert, with or without an audition.

If you are unable to attend a rehearsal or sectional for any reason you must submit an excuse with the reason for your absence and turn it into the orchestra secretary, two weeks prior to your anticipated absence.

For an Illness or Family Emergency

For an illness or family emergency: Notify your Orchestra Secretary before the scheduled rehearsal time, by email or calling your orchestra secretary or by leaving a message at the SYSO office (206.362.2300).

Absence from a Dress Rehearsal

Missing a scheduled dress rehearsal is unacceptable. Even if you have not missed any rehearsals for that concert period, missing a dress rehearsal puts your participation in the upcoming concert at the discretion of the conductor. If you are to miss a dress rehearsal, regardless of the issue, prior notification is required.

Absence from a Concert Performance

Giving less than a months’ notice of your absence from a concert puts your remaining participation in the SYSO program in jeopardy and at the discretion of the conductor and Music Director.

Tardiness

A late arrival to a rehearsal is disruptive. If you are late to rehearsal or sectional it will be counted as a half absence. Being late to rehearsal twice will be counted as one absence.

Concert Dress Code

Males
Black tuxedo, long sleeve white dress shirt, black dress shoes, black socks, and black bow tie.

Females
Skirt: Long black skirt (miniskirts are not acceptable). If wearing a skirt, dark or black hose are required. Dress Pants: Nice black dress pants are acceptable, jean-like pants are not acceptable.Blouse: Neatly pressed black, 3/4 to long sleeved blouse; no sweaters. Shoes: Black dress shoes, no sandals, or tennis shoes. If wearing an open-toed shoe, black hose are REQUIRED. Jewelry: Please make all jewelry selections and hair adornments unobtrusive.

2017-2018 Orchestra Handbook

YSO SECRETARY

Janice Gatti

The orchestra secretary aids the conductor in scheduling and coordinating rehearsal, taking attendance, and answering questions. The orchestra secretary is your primary resource for information.

Our Flagship Orchestra