Ensembles

Symphony Orchestra
Philharmonia
Philharmonia Winds
Camerata
Camerata Winds
Sinfonia
Jazz
Percussion Ensemble
High School Choir
Middle School Choir

Symphony Orchestra

The Symphony Orchestra is the most advanced orchestral ensemble in the GYSO program. Students in the Symphony Orchestra enjoy opportunities performing in chamber music settings, commissioning new works, and collaborating with guest artists. The Symphony explores some of the greatest orchestral repertoire from all styles and time periods: recent performances include Dvorak's New World Symphony, Hovhanness’ Fantasy on Japanese Footprints, and a commissioned work, Southern Hospitality, by James Woodward.

Whether it is receiving coaching by professionals, rehearsing and performing in two of the region’s finest arts facilities, or learning how to prepare productively and efficiently, inclusion into the program offers students every opportunity to come to know the professional experience.

Students have worked with Helen Kim, violin; Cathy Lynn, viola; Doug Sommer, bass; Christina Smith, flute; and John Lawless, percussion. They have commissions scheduled with Dan Maske for 2009 and Michael Daugherty for 2011. In addition, they perform each year in a side-by-side concert with the Cobb Symphony Orchestra.

Philharmonia

Comprised of approximately 90 members, Philharmonia provides students the opportunity to begin exploring the full symphonic repertoire. For some, the Philharmonia serves as an introductory experience to advanced orchestral performing. Its size allows for an in depth study of the intricacies of individual and ensemble playing in order that the student be prepared one day for a larger setting. Often this orchestra serves as the first chance for students to perform with musicians outside of their instrument family.

Camerata

Because of the unique size of this string ensemble, the approximately 30 members of the Camerata discover the heightened sense of importance that each part and musician serve to the whole. The general focus of this group is how to play successfully in a string section; emphasis on blending of sound, articulation, tone, and intonation all prepare these students to excel to the next level.

Sinfonia

Largely an introductory ensemble, this group serves to facilitate students who although gifted individually, have little orchestral experience. Students in this ensemble learn the relationships that the instruments serve to one another, and the commitment to learning how to listen to the group as well as oneself is essential.

Percussion Ensemble

The Percussion Ensemble provides advanced high school and middle school percussionists with the opportunity to develop and improve ensemble skills with the guidance of professional John Lawless. Inclusion into the Percussion Ensemble affords students with in-depth instruction, audition preparation, and masterclass opportunities. Over its three year course, it has already given eleven world premieres.

Philharmonia Winds

Directed by Stephen Meyer, the Philharmonia Winds is an ensemble of 20 to 30 woodwind, brass, and percussion instrumentalists who seek to improve their orchestral playing abilities through the performance of standard wind ensemble literature. Limiting the enrollment one player on a part, this ensemble offers the musicians the opportunity to improve their individual playing skills within the context of a small wind ensemble. The ensemble performs a wide variety of repertoire throughout the season, including the traditional military band music, orchestral transcriptions, and original compositions for wind ensemble. The Philharmonia Winds perform three concerts throughout the year and often seeks out other community engagements.

Camerata Winds

Comprised of approximately 60 musicians, Camerata Winds is an ensemble for woodwind, brass, and percussion instrumentalists. Greater in number than the Philharmonia Winds, this group explores music on a larger scale focusing on blending between individual instrument groups as well focusing on overall wind ensemble timbre. This ensemble offers students advanced training to support and facilitate their progress with their high school music program. Directed by Steven Meyer, Camerata Winds performs three concerts annually and pursues various performances throughout the community.

Chamber Music

Chamber music offers the unique opportunity for students to learn the musical process on an intimate level. Although coached by professionals in the field, the students are responsible for the making musical choices, planning and running rehearsals, and in some cases choosing repertoire. Because of the size of most chamber ensembles, students will become increasingly aware of the ways and means by which each instrumentalist serves the group. This concept can then be applied onto a much larger scale in the orchestra thus improving the musician’s skills on many different levels.

Jazz Ensemble

GYSO Chorus

2009 – 2010 marks the inaugural year of Georgia Youth Symphony Orchestra Chorus. It is open by audition to all students who love to sing and are interested in performing great choral and choral orchestral music. Students in the GYSO Chorus will have the opportunity to rehearse and perform with talented and dedicated colleagues, and learn from top musicians in their field as well as experience a comprehensive approach to music making, allowing students of all levels to reach their full potential as complete musicians.