symphony orchestra
Dr. Walter Pavasaris conducts the Symphony Orchestra, NMYO’s premier ensemble. Weekly rehearsals are held Mondays from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm at Masconomet High School in Topsfield, MA.
The winds and percussion in Symphony Orchestra are also members of the Wind Ensemble. They rehearse from 5:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. with Symphony Orchestra and join the Wind Ensemble from 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. The Symphony Orchestra performs two major concerts in December and May.
In addition to practicing as a full orchestra, members of the Symphony Orchestra (strings, winds, brass, and percussionists) participate in the Chamber Music Program. During the seven-week rehearsal period, January through February, the orchestra is divided into 12 to 15 small chamber groups. They are coached in chamber music and the program culminates with a concert in early March. The musicians also perform various outreach concerts during the remainder of the year and the top chamber ensembles are chosen to perform in the Honors Chamber Music Concert. Read more about our Chamber Music program here.
During the chamber music program, strings rehearse together from 5:00 p.m. to 5:45 p.m. Winds, brass, and percussion rehearse with Wind Ensemble from 5:00 p.m. to 5:45 p.m. Then, all symphony musicians rehearse in their chamber groups from 5:45 p.m. to 7:15 p.m.
Every three years, NMYO holds a Concerto Competition for Symphony musicians. Auditions are held in January. Those who wish to audition should first show their concerto selection to the Symphony orchestra conductor to ensure the suitability of the piece for NMYO’s ensemble. Musicians prepare a movement of the approved concerto to perform with the Symphony Orchestra. The winner performs the concerto movement at the spring concert in May. The second and third place musicians may be asked to perform their piece with an accompanist at the Honors Concert in March. The next Concerto Competition is scheduled for January of 2019.
The winds and percussion in Symphony Orchestra are also members of the Wind Ensemble. They rehearse from 5:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. with Symphony Orchestra and join the Wind Ensemble from 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. The Symphony Orchestra performs two major concerts in December and May.
In addition to practicing as a full orchestra, members of the Symphony Orchestra (strings, winds, brass, and percussionists) participate in the Chamber Music Program. During the seven-week rehearsal period, January through February, the orchestra is divided into 12 to 15 small chamber groups. They are coached in chamber music and the program culminates with a concert in early March. The musicians also perform various outreach concerts during the remainder of the year and the top chamber ensembles are chosen to perform in the Honors Chamber Music Concert. Read more about our Chamber Music program here.
During the chamber music program, strings rehearse together from 5:00 p.m. to 5:45 p.m. Winds, brass, and percussion rehearse with Wind Ensemble from 5:00 p.m. to 5:45 p.m. Then, all symphony musicians rehearse in their chamber groups from 5:45 p.m. to 7:15 p.m.
Every three years, NMYO holds a Concerto Competition for Symphony musicians. Auditions are held in January. Those who wish to audition should first show their concerto selection to the Symphony orchestra conductor to ensure the suitability of the piece for NMYO’s ensemble. Musicians prepare a movement of the approved concerto to perform with the Symphony Orchestra. The winner performs the concerto movement at the spring concert in May. The second and third place musicians may be asked to perform their piece with an accompanist at the Honors Concert in March. The next Concerto Competition is scheduled for January of 2019.
