YO Mission Statement

The mission of the Hendersonville Symphony Youth Orchestras is to foster a lifelong love of music in the young musicians of Western North Carolina.

Introduction

The Hendersonville Symphony Youth Orchestras (HSYO) is an educational program of the Hendersonville Symphony Orchestra (HSO). It is organized to provide advanced string orchestra and symphonic orchestra performance opportunities for area middle school and high school-aged musicians, up to age 21. The HSYO has two orchestras, the Sinfonietta String Orchestra and the HSYO Youth Symphony. Both orchestras participate in three regular season concerts with the Youth Symphony additionally performing in the Berrian String Festival and in benefit concerts at Kenmure Country Club and at Champion Hills Country Club. HSYO Youth Symphony musicians are also encouraged to participate in coached chamber ensembles, string quartets, brass quintets and woodwind quintets

Participation in the HSYO offers young musicians an opportunity to interact with other musicians of all levels. The HSYO Youth Symphony holds four sectional rehearsals per season that are coached by professional musicians and music faculty from nearby universities, including UNC Asheville, Western Carolina University, Furman University, North Greenville University, and Clemson University. The Youth Symphony also partakes in a side-by-side concert with the Hendersonville Symphony Orchestra every other year. HSYO Youth Symphony students sit next to their adult counterparts in the HSO under the direction of HSO conductor Dr. Thomas Joiner and perform on one of the HSO regular season concerts.

Orchestras

HSYO Sinfonietta String Orchestra: The HSYO Sinfonietta String Orchestra performs grades 3-5 string orchestra literature. Students with two years experience on their stringed instrument and up to age 16 are invited to participate. Auditions are required as outlined on the HSYO Auditions web page. Rehearsals are held on Tuesday evenings at Blue Ridge Community College in the Bo Thomas Auditorium from 6:00 until 8:00pm. The concerts consist of the annual Winter Concert in December, the annual Celebrating Music in Our Schools Concert in March and the Spring Concert in May.

HSYO Youth Symphony: The HSYO Youth Symphony is a full symphony orchestra made up of woodwinds, brass, percussion, and strings. The orchestra is designed to prepare high-school-aged musicians for life-long music making in college or community orchestras. The Youth Symphony rehearses and performs repertoire grades 4-6. The orchestra rehearses each Monday at Blue Ridge Community College in Bo Thomas Auditorium from 6:00 until 8:00p.m., and performs four concerts and two benefit concerts each season. The concerts include the Berrian String Festival in October, the annual Winter Concert in December, the annual Celebrating Music in Our Schools Concert in March, and the Spring Concert in May. In alternating years, 2009, '11, '13, etc., in the spring, members of the HSYO Youth Symphony perform a Side-by-Side concert with the Hendersonville Symphony Orchestra. Participation in the Side-by-Side concert is available only to Youth Symphony members. Youth Symphony musicians are also eligible and encouraged to participate in coached string, woodwind, and brass chamber ensembles.

Membership

An audition is required in order to become a member of either orchestra. The Sinfonietta String Orchestra is open to string students with two years playing experience and up to age 16. The Youth Symphony is open to brass, woodwind, percussion and string students, eighth grade and above, up to age 21. For specific audition requirements, please click HERE.

Tuition

The HSYO had adopted a required tuition. It is a fraction of the calculated cost per student, but it assures granting agencies that the program is valued by its membership thereby giving them confidence in providing the HSYO with additional funding. The actual cost of membership is calculated on an annual basis and parents are asked to pay a portion of the calculated cost to the Youth Orchestras. Tuition requirements are published annually prior to fall auditions. The current tuition is $75 per semester for the first HSYO member per family and $50 per semester for any HSYO member siblings.

Fundraising

The HSYO gratefully receives corporate, foundation, and individual season sponsorship. The HSYO Youth Symphony also plans benefit concerts/dinners each year, at Kenmure Country Club and at Champion Hills Country Club. The HSYO is additionally funded by concert admission fees of $5 per adult, donations accepted at all concerts, and support from the HSYO Parents' Auxiliary.

Please contact the Hendersonville Symphony Orchestra at 697-5884 if you are interested in or sponsoring or donating to the HSYO, or in becoming a member of the HSYO Parents' Auxiliary.