ABOUT THE ORCHESTRA
The Youth Symphony Orchestra is the flagship orchestra of SFYSA, featuring the most advanced young string, woodwind, brass and percussion musicians. The ensemble's repertoire spans orchestral classics through twenty-first century works, as well as a spectrum of unique musical collaborations. YSO has performed with world-renowned artists Mark O’Connor, Guillermo Figueroa, and Bobby McFerrin, and collaborated with the Harlem Quartet, Ying Quartet, Denver School of the Arts, youth symphonies from across the United States, and the Santa Fe Fiesta Melodrama. Students in the YSO regularly work with professional musicians in sectionals, and also play an annual side by side with the Santa Fe Symphony. The YSO typically holds a Fall musical retreat in the New Mexico mountains, and past tours have included the Czech Republic, Germany, Seattle, San Francisco, and Denver.
The Youth Philharmonic provides SFYSA students with their first full orchestra experience. The YP is open to intermediate and advanced string, woodwind, brass, and percussion students and is targeted for advanced middle school and early high school musicians. YP performs arrangements of classic orchestral works, new music and premiers, and special collaborations in the Santa Fe community.
The Youth Philharmonic provides SFYSA students with their first full orchestra experience. The YP is open to intermediate and advanced string, woodwind, brass, and percussion students and is targeted for advanced middle school and early high school musicians. YP performs arrangements of classic orchestral works, new music and premiers, and special collaborations in the Santa Fe community.
SFYSA has a big announcement regarding the Youth Symphony and Youth Philharmonic experience that we wanted to share with you. As we work towards creating an increasingly enriching experience for our musicians we want to keep you informed about these future alterations.
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WHO
🎵 All YSO and YP musicians will be working with William Waag as their primary conductor 🎵 YSO & YP musicians will also be working regularly with small sectional clinicians in individual and small group rehearsal, as well as large sectional clinicians in full string rehearsal or full winds and percussion rehearsal. |
WHAT
🎵 Combining YSO & YP for larger chunks of rehearsal 🎵 Students will retain their ensemble memberships and operate within that ensemble, and also will play with the larger, combined symphony 🎵 YSO students will still have the same experience playing at the Santa Fe Symphony side-by-side concert 🎵 We are pursuing a similar side-by-side experience for musicians of the Youth Philharmonic |
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WHEN & WHERE
🎵 We will rehearsing at Santa Fe High School 🎵 Ensemble Schedules will be as follows
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WHY
🎵 Focusing on individualized and targeted support to our musicians, including the varied levels in our orchestras 🎵 Providing more opportunities for small and large sectional work 🎵 Creating a larger and powerful ensemble experience |
FOR CURRENT STUDENTS
Absence Notification Form
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SFYSA Attendance Policy
1) There are no excused/unexcused absences. Whether you're sick, at a soccer game, in a school play, etc., if you miss rehearsal you're considered absent. 2) On your third absence, your conductor/director will ask you to perform a playing test. This may be via a Flipgrid video, a recording, or to play for them in person. Playing in an ensemble is a team effort, and this ensures that you are prepared to participate to the best of your abilities, even if you miss class. 3) If after your 3rd absence, you play for your conductor and it's clear you are unprepared for participation in class, you will be put on probation. Your conductor and the Artistic Director will work with you to build an appropriate timeline to get back on track. If you do not make significant progress to get back on track within the timeline set, you are eligible for disenrollment from class for the remainder of the semester. 4) The Absence Notification form cannot be used for Dress Rehearsals or Concerts. Those are considered mandatory, and you must speak with your Conductor/Director directly if there is a problem or concern. What do I do if I'm going to be absent? 1) If you know well in advance, let your conductor know by filling out the Absence Notification form as soon as you know you'll be out. They can give you a heads up as to what sections they'll be rehearsing, and what is important to practice. 2) If your absence is last-minute, fill out the Absence Notification form as soon as possible so your conductor isn't looking for you to be at rehearsal. 3) Please do not call, text, or email your conductor or the office. The Absence Notification form MUST be completed for each absence. 4) If you forget to fill out the form, and you do not attend class, you will be asked to complete the form after the missed class. |
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dress code
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CALENDAR
william waag, CONDUCTOR
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William Waag joined SFYSA in August, 2014 as Conductor of the Santa Fe Youth Symphony. A passionate music educator, he also works as a guest clinician and support in the music classrooms across Northern New Mexico. William’s recent guest conducting engagements include the Albuquerque Philharmonic, Seattle Rock Orchestra, Santa Fe Symphony, El Paso Symphony Youth Orchestra, Albuquerque Youth Symphony Reading Orchestra, and Honor Orchestras in New Mexico. William has held a variety of conducting and teaching positions ranging from elementary and secondary schools to colleges, public and private institutions, and four states across the western US. He has lead wind ensembles, jazz bands, symphony orchestras, music education courses, music theory, special education, and pre-school music. Above all these, William’s passion is for conducting youth symphonies. Previously with Kittitas Valley Youth Orchestra (Washington), and Anchorage Youth Philharmonic (Alaska), William is so pleased to be guiding the Santa Fe Youth Symphony to creative collaborations and expanding every aspect of the youth symphony experience.
William received a MM in Orchestral Conducting from Central Washington University, and a BM in Music Education from Boise State University. Originally from Boise, he lived in Seattle, and Anchorage before moving to Santa Fe. A true native of the Pacific Northwest, he loves exploring the mountains in all seasons with ski poles in one hand, and espresso in the other. In his free time, he can be found traveling the New Mexico highways in his 1972 Volkswagen bus.
Contact Email: william@sfysa.org Phone: (505) 672-5565 |
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