New Hampshire Youth Ensembles at MCMS
The most comprehensive ensemble program in New Hampshire established in 1983 (as the Greater Manchester Youth Symphony Orchestra, or GMYSO) has flourished over the past 24 years. Now consisting of many ensembles, a young musician can develop his or her skills and move progressively to each, under the guidance of specialized faculty members. The membership of New Hampshire Youth Ensembles at MCMS is comprised of several ensembles with nearly 200 young musicians from more than 50 communities in New Hampshire and northern Massachusetts. The program provides an opportunity for the development of musical skills and technical abilities leading to mastery of an instrument and an understanding of music literature.
Auditions are held in May of each year and again in September if space is available. Membership is based on ability, experience and a total commitment to the program. Students are expected to spend a substantial amount of time practicing their music outside of rehearsals and to attend all rehearsals. Students must take private lessons, but are not required to study privately here at MCMS. The ensembles prepare two programs each year for concerts in January and May with additional programs for special events.
Symphony Orchestra
NH Youth Chorus
Prelude Chorus
Children's Chorus
School Music Program Participation Policy
1) All students in Manchester Community Music School ensembles must remain in good standing in their school music programs concurrent to their participation in our ensembles. Being in good standing with a music program means that the student participates successfully in some aspect of their school program, (provided there is a music program) while in a Manchester Community Music School ensemble.
2) All school performances take precedence over MCMS ensembles. We will work around school schedules and, when necessary will rehearse and perform without members of our ensembles. One of the primary goals of MCMS is to prepare students to achieve greater levels of musicianship. We expect that the skills and attitudes learned at MCMS will be shared with the student’s school music programs.
New Hampshire Youth Orchestras at MCMS
Benjamin Greene, Orchestra Program Director
The Orchestra Program provides an opportunity for the development of musical skills and technical abilities leading to mastery of an instrument and an understanding of orchestral literature. Students benefit from sectional coaching and full ensemble rehearsal throughout the year. NH Youth Symphony Orchestra
Performs high-level symphonic literature for advanced string, wind
and percussion students. Past repertoire includes works by Leonard
Bernstein, Tschaikowsky, and Bizet.
Benjamin Greene, Conductor
Tuesday 6:30-8:30 pm
Tuition $460 /Sept-May
NH Youth Concert Orchestra
Incorporates a string orchestra with a visiting wind and percussion
section. The ensemble learns a wide variety of age-appropriate
literature for full orchestra and string orchestra.
Barbara Schwalbe, Conductor
Tuesday 4:30 – 6:00 pm.
Tuition $460 Sept. – May
NH Youth String Preparatory Orchestra
Performing both classical and contemporary literature, students gain experience in ensemble playing while improving individual skills. Past repertoire includes works by Sibelius, Mozart and Haydn.
Deborah Markow, Conductor
Tuesday 5:30-6:30 pm
Tuition $425/Sept-May
New Hampshire Youth Wind Program at MCMS
Unique to the Wind Program is the opportunity for students to work in smaller chamber ensembles as well as full concert band. Students improve playing skills while gaining a greater knowledge of wind and percussion repertoire.
NH Youth Concert Band
Designed primarily for woodwind, brass and percussion students in grades 6 through 9, this concert band will build essential skills in ensemble playing. Students will be challenged by a wide variety of age-appropriate literature from composers including Daniel Bukvich, James Sweatington, Andrew Boysen and Robert Smith. This is a great opportunity to work with other young musicians who share common interests and a love of music! Students must be taking private instrument lessons or enrolled in MCMS Intermediatae Group Instrument Lessons (See information and tuition below).Andrew Lalos and Edward Doyle, conductors
Wednesday 5:30 -7:00 pm. / November 5, 2008 - April 22, 2009
Tuition: $290 for Concert Band and Intermediate Group Instrument Lesson
OR $150 for Concert Band only
New Hampshire Youth Jazz Ensemble at MCMS
Jazz study is offered on all instruments at all levels and for all ages. The following ensemble give students an opportunity to develop skills in performance and technique at the very highest level. Specialized private studio instruction is also available for all instruments.
 A fast paced, high-level jazz performance ensemble consists of the area's top high school (and the occasional middle school) jazz musicians. This ensembles primary focus is on developing the student’s technique, improvisational skills and deepening their understanding of jazz. Challenging repertoire will include standard, classic and modern jazz charts. Instrumentation to include saxophone, (doubling preferred) trumpet, trombone, tuba, bass, (electric and acoustic preferred) guitar, piano, drums, and vibraphone. Besides great improvisers, we seek STRONG CLASSICAL PERFORMERS with an interest in jazz as well!
Scott Grant and Carl Benevides, Conductors
Ages: Grades 9-12
Monday 6:00 – 8:00pm
Tuition $460Sept. - May
New Hampshire Youth Chorus at MCMS
Claudette Macomber and Cynthia Verrill, conductors
Comprised of two different choruses, The New Hampshire Children’s Chorus provides children the opportunity to realize their potential as musicians and to discover their ability to achieve excellence through the joy of singing. The ensembles use choral repertoire of the highest artistic value to support the development of the voice and to build the singers musical vocabulary.
Prelude Chorus
Ages: Grades 1 – 3
Class Time: Thursdays 4:00-5:00
Tuition: $325 Sept – May
New Hampshire Children's Chorus Ages: Grades 4 – 8
Class Time: Thursdays 4:00 – 5:30 pm
Tuition $425 Sept - May
Photo credtis: Myndi Bogdanovich, Keith Spiro
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