Youth Symphony

Steven Karidoyanes, Director

The NEC Youth Symphony (YS) is composed of advanced young musicians, most between the ages of 13 and 18. Members are selected from hundreds of applicants through annual auditions. YS is open to advanced pre-college string, wind, percussion, brass and harp players.

As one of NEC's senior Preparatory School ensembles, the Youth Symphony has performed in NEC's Jordan Hall, Symphony Hall, Sanders Theatre, and the Boston Opera House in a collaboration with the Boston Ballet School.

This orchestra tours internationally every two years. In the summer of 2013, the Orchestra completed a 9-day tour of Costa Rica. In the summer of 2015, YS toured Ireland, including Galway, Derry/Londonderry, and Dublin culminating in a final performance in the National Concert Hall in Dublin—one of the premiere performance halls in Europe. Most recently, the Youth Symphony traveled to Italy on a 7-day performance tour, performing in Florence, Sienna, and Orvieto. 

Rehearsals: Saturday, 3:15 - 6:00 PM in Burnes Hall 

Repertoire

Repertoire highlights for 2020-21 include:

Beethoven: Symphony No. 8

W.G. Still: Symphony No. 1

Repertoire highlights for 2019-20 included:

Stravinsky: The Firebird Suite

Sibelius: Symphony No. 1 in E minor

Beethoven: Symphony No. 5 in C minor

Repertoire highlights for 2018-19 included:

Lili Boulanger: "D'un matin de printemps"

Dvořák: Symphony No. 8 in G Major

Mendelssohn: Symphony No. 5 "Reformation"

Rimsky-Korsakov: Russian Easter overture

Wagner: Lohengrin Act III Prelude

Placement and Seating Audition Information

New this year, NEC Prep will be reviewing all large ensemble auditions via video. For more information, please click here. 

Entrance Requirements: Open by audition to advanced players. Admission to YS is very selective. While orchestral assignments are made by level, not age, most members of YS are in grades 10-12.

Seating Audition Sign-up: After gaining admission to the ensemble, all YS students will take a seating audition. Seating auditions occur in September. 

Calendar

Module 1- ONLINE
August 29 – YS Orientation 
Sept 4/5 Labor Day weekend - No YS rehearsal
September 12 – Sectionals
September 19 - Sectionals
September 26 - Sectionals
October 3 – Beethoven Session
October 10 – Beethoven Session

o   Module 2 ONLINE/HYBRID/TBD
October 17
October 24
October 31
November 7
November 14
November 21
November 28 - Thanksgiving - No YS Rehearsal

o   Module 3 ONLINE/Masterclass Module
December 5
December 12
December 19 
December 26/Jan 9 - No YS Rehearsal
January 16
January 23
January 30

o   Module 4 HYBRID*
February 6
February 13 – No YS Rehearsal
February 20
February 27
March 6
March 13
March 20
March 27

o   Module 5 HYBRID*
April 3
April 10
April 17
April 24 
May 1
May 8
May 15
May 22 

* The proposed Spring dates are also included above. These Spring rehearsal dates will be confirmed later in the Fall.

Attendance

• Attendance is required at all regularly scheduled classes, rehearsals, dress rehearsals, and performances be it virtually or in-person. Students are expected to be ready to begin on-time. Attendance will be taken at the beginning of each session.
• Anyone arriving/logging-in more than 30 minutes late or leaving/logging-out 30 minutes early will be considered absent from the entire rehearsal or class.
• No more than 1 excused absence per module will be allowed and notice must be given at least two weeks prior by submitting an Absence Request Form to the NEC Prep offices. Absence request forms can be submitted to the Ensemble manager at ys@necmusic.edu or to Claudia Encinas at Claudia.Encinas@necmusic.edu
• Read our full attendance policy here: https://necmusic.edu/prep/absence-requests

Still have questions?

Contact Claudia Encinas, Large Ensembles Manager, by email, or call the NEC Prep hotline at  (617) 585-1160.

During the academic year, YS members can also contact the YS student manager.