About
the Youth Orchestra of the Rockies
The
Youth Orchestra of the Rockies is an enrichment program developed
to challenge and inspire young musicians to reach their full potential.
Under the guidance of a professional conductor and coaches, YOR
provides experience with a wide variety of major musical works
and outstanding performance opportunities. YOR strongly supports
our public school music programs, and requires that all of our
musicians participate in their school music programs.
The Youth Orchestra of the Rockies offers two large ensembles. The Symphony
Orchestra is our most advanced ensemble that tackles college and professional
level repertoire, and the Concert Orchestra prepares younger musicians
for the symphony.
In addition to the large ensembles, the Youth Orchestra of the Rockies provides
opportunities for chamber ensemble instruction with professional coaches. Our
Honors String Quartet receives training through Colorado State University and
performance opportunities throughout the community. Symphony musicians are
invited to participate in the Symphony Chamber Ensemble program, and every
Concert Orchestra musician is placed in a Prelude Chamber Ensemble.
The Youth Orchestra of the Rockies is a 501(c)3 non-profit, and tuition covers
approximately one-third of our overall costs. We could not operate without
the generous contributions of our supporters. For information on how you can
become involved, please contact us.
YOR Mission Statement
Through the study and performance of orchestral music, the Youth Orchestra
of the Rockies seeks to challenge and nurture young musicians to strive for
excellence, to explore their role in humanity, and to contribute beauty to
the community.
History
The Youth Orchestra of the Rockies originated as the Larimer Youth Festival
Orchestra in 1995 as a summer program. LYFO was established by Fort Collins
resident Lisa Eakins, Executive Director, and Thomas Fairlie, Music Director,
to provide the young musicians of the northern Front Range of Colorado with
an opportunity to experience the rigors of professional music-making in an
educational setting.
Each member of the Orchestra qualifies for participation
by performing a live audition. Members who are interested in the
further challenge
of playing a concerto solo with the orchestra may compete for that
opportunity.
Each year has seen growth in the membership of
the Orchestra, and a greater involvement of the community in its
activities. From
the beginning, music professionals in the community have lent a
hand in the selection of the membership and in helping the youth
prepare their music for concerts.
In the 1996 season, the Fort Collins
School of Fine Arts of the Fort Collins Front Range Community College
participated
by sponsoring
our program through their Continuing Education Department. The
Fort Collins Symphony Orchestra has shared resources with LYFO
and in 1997 played a combined outdoor concert in Old Town Square.
Because
the membership has grown to include youth from communities outside
Larimer County and the program expanded
to offer year-round
opportunities, the name was changed to the Rocky Mountain Youth
Orchestra the summer of 1999. Under this new name, Allan R. Scott
was hired as the first Music Director and held this position from
2001 - 2002.
Cynthia Katsarelis became Music Director in 2004.
In the summer of the same year, the board
decided to change
the name once again to the Youth Orchestra of the Rockies to avoid
confusion
with the Rocky Mountain High School Orchestra.
In 2006 the Board
of Directors voted to realize a long-term goal of creating a junior
string orchestra.
A panel
of
judges accepted
21 members into the inaugural orchestra. For the 2007-'08 season,
three wind players were added to the group, making it the Concert
Orchestra. Ms. Katsarelis stepped down from the position of Music
Director in Spring 2009, and currently three candidates are auditioning
for the position, each conducting a concert with the Symphony.
In keeping with the
original vision of its founders, the Orchestra operates as an official
non-profit organization under
the guidance
of a Board of Directors, with federal tax-exempt status. The Orchestra
continues to develop its relationships with other musical institutions
in the area, exploring the possibilities for mentoring between
professionals and students.
Repertoire History
Please click here to download
and view the YOR Symphony Orchestra's repertoire history, 1995
- 2009.
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Youth Orchestra of the Rockies. All Rights Reserved. Design by
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