Show Youth orchestra new underway i Ij 4 I 44 f f M ya t ti v i Lf r F 4 a Yg y yU U w I t t I THE YOUTH Orchestra staff under the Community Schools pro pro- program program gram are left to right Ora Fay Oviatt director and viola teacher Fran Emery beginning cello teacher Linda Hanberg violin M teacher Catherine Day violin teacher and Curtis May violin teacher Through the Community Schools a Youth Orchestra program has become more than a dream but a reality as youth now have a program they can be involved in to learn and develop their talents and be able to perform The program was organized four years ago because there wasn't a string pro pro- program program gram in Vernal Cindy Faust a teacher hired to teach band started the program She organized the string orchestra as part of Community Schools said Ora Fay Oviatt director of the orchestra When she left lef t the district in the spring she wanted to program to continue and asked Mrs Oviatt to direct it Both she and Curtis May undertook the task of pulling the group together and keeping it going She asked the rest of those now on the staff and other string people in the valley that she knew of to help her teach th the classes Each section was taught by a person who had expertise in that area so it wouldn't would be more peo- peo people people to keep them involved There are three orchestras beginning beginning ing orchestra II and orchestra III The past week has been spent recruiting for the beginning orchestra The recruitment is mainly from third grade on but they can be as young as kindergarten This year there are two and three first graders that will be in the program These five children have all studied individually with private teachers The beginning orchestra learns correct position how to play ear training and learn to enjoy their instrument They learn to play in unison During the second semester they are taught reading said Mrs Oviatt This group meets twice a week for full orchestra rehearsal with Mrs Oviatt They have small group sessions once a week with about 10 students in each Some of them also have private lessons This isn't a requirement of the beginners though By the end of the first year they are playing quite well During the summer each child is required to be in private lessons because the private studios teach the notes and the rest of what they haven't yet picked up In orchestra II they learn to read and learn how to play their first part four harmony said Mrs Oviatt This group increases the music pro pro- proficiency proficiency They are also required to play scales They start to build music competency Orchestra II 11 rehearses twice a week and each has to have a private teacher Orchestra III is for the advanced students Mrs Oviatt says occasionally second semester orchestra II can move into this group depending on their advancement This group is mainly for students grades five through twelve However Age has nothing to do with the strings Their proficiency and how well they play determines where they are stated Mrs Ovia Oviatt tt Orchestra III plays the full string or- or orchestra orchestra chestra music They participate in festivals They do special numbers and programs Also at programs Mrs Oviatt said they like to take the little kids because They are very showy This group practices once a week for fora fora a two hour rehearsal and then they have an extra rehearsal or sectional during the week Every student in this group also must have a private teacher Some of their private teachers are from Salt Lake City One member of the Orchestra III is playing with the Utah Valley Youth Orchestra The full orchestra plans to take a trip to Salt Lake City in the spring to tour Symphony Hall and attend a special symphony concert They have a Christmas concert scheduled which they spend the fall getting ready for said Mrs Oviatt Orchestra III has been invited to par par- participate participate in a north Utah invitational youth orchestra The orchestra tours the in the spring Their big program is in the spring when they have their spring con con- concert concert cert and awards program They also have a spring music festival In the fall the time is spent recruiting and learning how to play In January they have a special orchestra activity every month The staff of the orchestra include Catherine Day violin teacher Curtis May violin teacher Linda Hanberg violin teacher Fran Emery beginning cello teacher leacher and Ora Fay Oviatt director director tor and viola teacher The staff assists with the auditions teaching and helping judge the play offs for the student of the year There are staff meetings once a month in which they try to bring in teaching aids and master classes to help the teachers with their students There is a practice award given each month for the student with the highest number of practice hours At the end of the year each orchestra has play offs for the top player in their group Every child who completes the year gets a shirt t-shirt and a special recognition certificate We really tried to copy the ideas of this very successful athletic program we have in this valley said Mrs Oviatt Through their program they hope to pro pro- provide provide vide the incentive for them to get involved ed in the program There is a certain dress in each or or- orchestra chestra In the beginning group the boys wear suits and the girls wear their best short dress Orchestra II boys are in suits and the girls are in their best long dresses Orchestra III they have uniforms Rhoda T DeVed said The school district is very pleased with the progress the students are making and are happy I to have the program under Community Schools Not only are the students involved but the parents can take an active part in the program LaRae Perry president of the parent council said We want to make a pro pro- program program gram that not only teaches good music but teaches good sportsmanship and character She also stated As parents we are supportive of the orchestra and our children Parents can help with programs publicity music tuning and many other things they need help with The parent council is made up of five different committees social with Ruth Cameron as chairman curriculum with Fran Emery as chairman program with Leah Anderson as chairman public relations with Dirk Evertson as chairman and publicity with Alice Hall Hallas Hallas as chairman LaRae Perry is president with Mar Mar- Marsha Marsha sha Oleen as first vice president and Jill as second vice president There are other offices they will be fill fill- filling filling ing We are hoping that this will evolve into a youth symphony for Vernal In the next few years said Being involved in and participating in inan inan an orchestra no longer is a dream but anyone interested in participating has the opportunity through the Youth Or- Or Orchestra Orchestra chestra Program i It ti 1 FITTING OF instruments Is an important part of the orchestra program Linda Hanberg right helps fit some of the instruments l t I |