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 Rising Strings

Conductor: Garrett Christiansen

 

Rising Strings is our beginning orchestra designed to provide young string players with basic ensemble experience and musical leadership skills. Musicians should be able to practice 2-3 pieces of musical literature on their own and rehearse as a group. Entry level musicians may opt to participate in Rising Strings only for their first sessions. Membership is open to any young musician playing violin, viola, cello or bass with the foundational abilities listed below. All string players are requested to participate in Music Assessments for best placement:

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Recommended foundational ability:

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Violin and Viola:

  • Suzuki book 2 or equivalent literature

  • Keys of C, G, D, A

  • Reading music

 

Cello:

  • Latter part of Suzuki Book 1 or equivalent literature

  • Reading music

 

Bass:

  • Shift to 3rd position

  • Reading music

 

Rehearsal Time: Tuesday 5:00-5:50 pm, Room 133 in the CSI Fine Arts Center.

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  Sinfonietta Strings

Conductor: Garrett Christiansen

 

Sinfonietta Strings offers a unique orchestral experience for a broad range of talented, intermediate to advanced string players. Musicians should be able to practice and rehearse 6-8 pieces of musical literature. All string players are requested to participate in Music Assessments for best placement:

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Recommended foundational ability:

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Violin and Viola:

  • Beginning in Suzuki book 3 or equivalent literature

  • 2nd Violins Shift to 3rd, 1st violins shift to 5th position, Violists begin shifting to 3rd

  • Keys of C, D, G, A, F, B-flat 

  • Reading music

 

Cello:

  • Suzuki Book 2 or equivalent literature

  • Shift to 4th position

  • Reading music

 

Bass:

  • Shift to upper positions

  • Reading music

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Rehearsal Time: Tuesday 6:00-6:45 pm, Room 133 in the CSI Fine Arts Building

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  Chamber Ensemble    

Conductor: Elizabeth Thomsen

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Magic Valley Youth Chamber Ensemble is a select group of our most advanced string musicians desiring to play more challenging music. Membership is by audition only. Please schedule your audition on our Assessment/Audition tab.

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Audition judges will be looking for young musicians who demonstrate proficiency in the following foundational skills while showing an aptitude to respond to teaching and leadership of our coaches and conductors:

 

Violin and Viola:

  • 3 Octave Scales with proper fingerings  G, A, Bb, C major and G, A, Bb, C minor

  • Proficient in reading music

  • Studied Book 1 & 2 of Introducing the Positions, or equivalent literature

  • Must know how to play in 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 5th, 7th positions for Violin I

  • Must know how to play in 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 5th positions for Violin II

  • Studying Book 5 of Suzuki Violin Method or equivalent method

  • Must demonstrate proper use of bow, i.e..  Full bow strokes—frog to tip, staccato, spiccato, martele strokes.

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Cello:

  • 3 octave scales with proper fingerings in keys with 3 flats and 3 sharps

  • Proficient in reading music 

  • Facility in 1st through thumb positions

  • Control of bow in different articulation styles (staccato, spiccato, legato, etc.)

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Bass:

  • Proficient in reading music 

  • Facility in all positions

  • Control of bow in different articulation styles (staccato, spiccato, legato, etc.)

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Rehearsal Time: Tuesday 6:00-6:45 pm in the Auditorium of the CSI Fine Arts Building

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  Magic Valley Youth Orchestra  

Conductor: Ted Hadley

 

Magic Valley Youth Orchestra provides a full orchestral experience for young musicians throughout the Magic Valley. Musicians will be exposed to a variety of musical styles and will advance their technical and musical abilities. The Magic Valley Youth Orchestra Program is open to violin, viola, cello, bass, flute/piccolo, oboe, clarinet, bassoon, horn, trumpet, trombone, tuba, harp and percussion students in middle school through high school with at least 2 years playing experience and the foundational abilities listed below. All string players are requested to participate in music assessments for best placement.

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Recommended foundational ability:

 

Violin and Viola:

  • 3 Octave Scales with proper fingerings, Violin I- keys of G, A and C; Violin II-keys G and A

  • Proficient in reading music

  • Studied Book 1 of Introducing the Positions, or equivalent literature

  • Must know how to play in 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 5th positions for Violin I.

  • Must know how to play in 1st, 3rd positions for Violin II.

  • Currently Studying Book 4 of Suzuki Violin Method or equivalent literature

  • Must demonstrate proper use of bow, i.e..  Full bow strokes—frog to tip, staccato, spiccato, martele strokes.

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Cello:

  • Latter part of Suzuki Book 3 or equivalent literature

  • Shift to thumb position

  • Reading music

 

Bass:

  • Shift to upper positions

  • Reading music

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Flute/piccolo, oboe, clarinet, bassoon, horn, trumpet, trombone, tuba, harp/piano, percussion:

  • Know basic scales

  • Working on extending their range

  • Minimum of 8th grade and/or 2 years playing experience

 

Rehearsal Time: Tuesday, 5:00-5:50 pm, Room 164 in the CSI Fine Arts Building

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Foundational Levels for each ensemble are not intended to be intimidating or discouraging. These are guidelines to assist teachers, parents and young musicians in determining which ensemble is the best fit for prospective members. Our goal is to offer enhanced music education through exposure to a variety of music and dedicated coaching.

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