Steven Karidoyanes conducts the NEC Preparatory School's Youth Symphony with soloist Zlatomir Fung, (New England Conservatory Prep '16) cello, in a performance of Tchaikovsky's "Variations on a Rococo Theme". Recorded November 11, 2013 in NEC's Jordan Hall.
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, Sander's 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 Spain on a 7 day performance tour, performing in Madrid, Cordoba, Seville, and Granada.
Rehearsals: Saturday, 3:15 - 6:00 PM in Williams Hall
Featured Media
2018-2019 Concert Schedule
Thursday, November 8, 2018
7:30 PM in Jordan Hall
Sunday, January 27, 2019
8:00 PM in Jordan Hall
YS Tour to Italy
February 16 - 23, 2019
Wednesday, May 8, 2019
7:30 PM in Jordan Hall
Repertoire
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
Repertoire highlights for 2017-18 included:
Tchaikovsky: Symphony No. 5
Mendelssohn: Piano Concerto No. 1
Franck: Symphony in D
Placement and Seating Audition Information
Placement auditions for YS are held in the spring for the following year. Additional audition times may be available in the fall for any remaining openings.
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 during the seating audition weekend, September 8 - 9, 2018.
Sign-up for a seating audition
Seating Audition Requirements: YS students should prepare two contrasting solo pieces OR two contrasting movements from the same work. One piece/movement should be fast and technical; the other, slow and lyrical. Additionally, students should prepare the posted orchestral excerpts which may be found below.
Seating Audition Excerpts: Students should download, print and prepare the excerpts appropriate to their instrument. All excerpts are ensemble specific and the following excerpts should only be prepared by students admitted to YS. Please contact Laura Mixter, Large Ensemble Coordinator, with any questions you may have.
YS 2018 - String seating audition excerpts
YS 2018 - Wind, Brass and Harp seating audition excerpts
YS 2018 - Percussion seating audition excerpts
Calendar
YPO 2018 2019 Rehearsal Calendar
Attendance
Attendance is required at all regularly scheduled classes, rehearsals, dress rehearsals, and performances. The full attendance policy may be reviewed here.
Still have questions?
Contact Laura Mixter, Large Ensemble Coordinator, 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.