JAMESTOWN - The Chautauqua Regional Youth Symphony board has made some changes this year to offer an even more enriching experience for their students.
Maestro Bryan Eckenrode has been CRYS music director and conductor since 2003. Under his professional leadership, students have learning opportunities that are unique in the Chautauqua area.
During this 26th season, students in CRYS's three orchestras - Prelude Strings for beginning string musicians, Young Artists Orchestra for intermediate musicians, and the Youth Symphony for highly talented and motivated musicians ages 13 through college - will be doing more performances as ensembles in the community.
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At a recent meeting, Chautauqua Regional Youth Symphony board members sent letters to local individuals and businesses requesting their support for the Youth Symphony’s 2012-2013 season.
The first of these, featuring the Youth Symphony string players, will be at 7 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 7, at the Chautauqua Mall.
A holiday flavor will highlight the Chamber Concert by the Youth Symphony string players on Saturday, Dec. 8, at 7 p.m. at SS Peter and Paul Church, 508 Cherry Street in Jamestown.
Rehearsals for all three orchestras begin right after the holidays, with Prelude at Lutheran on Friday afternoons and the Youth Symphony and YAO at the Reg Lenna Civic Center in downtown Jamestown on Saturday mornings.
In March, CRYS students will travel to hear the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra accompany a presentation of "The Wizard of Oz" in Pittsburgh's Heinz Hall and to meet some of the musicians. In mid-April, the Youth Symphony will have a weekend of intensive coaching and rehearsals at Chautauqua Institution. The annual Spring Gala in May will feature two professional musician/educators who will rehearse and perform with the orchestras.
CRYS students pay tuition, but no one is turned away for inability to pay. CRYS receives essential funding from foundations and other organizations in the community. While parents, board members and students all participate in fundraising, support by individuals and local businesses is critical to CRYS's survival.
At their recent meeting, board members sent letters to local individuals and businesses requesting their support for the Youth Symphony's 2012-2013 season.
Among the ways the Youth Symphony expresses appreciation to its contributors is by recognition on its website and in printed concert programs and through complimentary admissions to the Spring Gala Concert on Sunday, May 5, 2013, in the Reg Lenna Civic Center.
Tax-deductible contributions to the Chautauqua Regional Youth Symphony can be mailed to P.O. Box 3454, Jamestown, NY 14702.
For more information about CRYS and its programs for young musicians, call 664-2465, Ext. 202, or visit the website at www.CRYouthSymphony.com.
Organizations that would like to have an ensemble from CRYS perform for them can call 664-2465, Ext. 202, or email CRYSymphony@mac.com.
