Preparatory Ensembles
In addition to the Senior Symphony, ECYS also maintains several preparatory ensembles for less advanced musicians. At the youngest level, students can participate in Chamber Players (1-2 years experience) or Camerata (3+ years), orchestras led by Dr. Michail Gelfandbien. Galbraith Honor Strings, under Dr. Kolchinsky, is a string orchestra named after the founder of ECYS, William Galbraith; its level is between the Camerata and Sinfonietta orchestras. ECYS also offers the El Camino Wind Orchestra, conducted by Christopher Florio, which performs wind ensemble repertoire, and prepares students for Sinfonietta and Symphony.
Up until 2010, the preparatory ensembles performed at Cubberley Theatre in Palo Alto, CA. Starting season 2010-2011, the preparatory ensembles, as well as Sinfonietta and Flute ensembles mentioned below, perform in the new Oshman Family Jewish Community Center.
With the increasing number of flutists in the Bay Area, too, ECYS boasts a strong program under the baton Melody Schaefle, lecturer at Stanford University. The flute ensemble program has an intermediate level - Intermezzo; and an advanced level for experienced flutists - the talented El Camino Flute Ensemble. The flute ensemble program also offers students the opportunity to play in chamber music groups with their peers.
Up until the 2010-2011 season, the flutes ensembles performed at the Community Congregational Church in Sunnyvale, CA.
The intermediate orchestra offered by ECYS is the Sinfonietta, also led by Dr. Kolchinsky. This program consists of intensive sectional work and is focused mainly on classical and early romantic repertoire, while preparing junior and high school students for admittance into the Senior Symphony.
Up until the 2010-2011 season, the Sinfonietta Orchestra performs at Spangenberg Theatre in Palo Alto, CA and the Mountain View Center for the Performing Arts in Mountain View, CA.
Read more about this topic: El Camino Youth Symphony