Oregon East Symphony - Youth Programs

Youth Programs

Playing for Keeps is a unique and comprehensive music education project, which was initiated in 2001 by the Oregon East Symphony Board of Directors, and the orchestra's Executive Director at that time Cheryl Marier and Music Director Kenneth Woods.

The Goals of the project are:

· To help rural young people gain access to new cultural opportunities.

· To forge new alliances between the OES and local school districts.

· To give young people who cannot afford musical instruction and/or instruments a chance to participate in music lessons, rehearsal and performance.

· To develop a new awareness concerning the role of a community orchestra and chorus in the cultural health of Eastern Oregon.

Ten Projects make up the Playing for Keeps project:

• A-Sharp Players This preparatory orchestra is open by audition to mid-level musicians of any age and gives them the opportunity to experience performing with a large ensemble. The program is directed by Bruce Walker, assistant conductor of the Oregon East Symphony.

• Preludes The Preludes string orchestra is open to beginning to intermediate string musicians of any age who can read music. Bruce Walker, Sunnyside School District orchestra director, principal cellist with the OES, and assistant conductor to the OES directs this group.

• Young Voices/Very Young Voices of Eastern Oregon This choral group gives young people 6-16 the opportunity to perform in a choir that develops reading and ensemble skills.

• Music Lesson and Instrument Scholarships Students are supported in the study of their chosen instrument through a fund that helps with the cost of music lessons and instrument rental.

• Musician Scholarships Young people who perform with the Symphony or Chorale are provided with stipends and travel costs for each concert that they participate in. This allows them to pursue their musical studies instead of having to hold down part-time jobs.

• Young Artists Competition A professional review panel conducts competitive auditions for young musicians in the region. Winners of this competition are invited to perform with the Symphony as a featured soloist.

• Family and Young People’s Concerts This annual concert features the winners of the Symphony’s Young Artists Competition and offers a youth-oriented concert program. The concert is also performed again twice during a weekday for school groups from the area.

• Tickets for Kids During each school year, the OES distributes free regular season concert tickets to area youth throughout the school system.

• School Visits As a supplement to the public school arts curriculum, OES musicians, guest artists, and singers arrange visits to area classrooms during the school year in order to deliver master classes, instrument demonstrations, and ensemble performances.

• Music Camp Each summer, young musicians from all over the Pacific Northwest participate in the annual Summer Music Camp. The five-day camp features professional instruction and tutorials in a variety of musical disciplines and ends with a Finale Concert.