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NEC Summer School: Programs for Young Performers
NEC Festival Youth Orchestra 2008
Aaron Kula, artistic director
Monday-Friday. July 7-25(three weeks)
9:00 a.m.-3:30 p.m.
Final chamber music concert, Thu July 24, 3:00pm
Final orchestral concert, Fri July 25, 7:30 p.m.
Three-week chamber music and chamber orchestra program open to intermediate to advanced-level strings, brass, winds, piano, and percussion between the age of 13-17. Daily activities include full orchestral rehearsals, sectional rehearsals, chamber music coachings, masterclasses, mock auditions, individual practice, a chamber music concert, and a final orchestral concert in NEC's historic Jordan Hall. The Festival Youth Orchestra (FYO) experience emphasizes large and small ensemble performance and intensive musical preparation, with special focus on concentration, practice and performance techniques, interpretation, phrasing, and general musicianship. Students will also develop useful communication skills as a result of their musical collaborations, learning the joy of music making while developing lasting friendships. An off-campus day trip will be scheduled as part of the three-week session.
Students work with a professional staff of music educators and active performers, guest artists, and graduates of music schools throughout the U.S. Students receive individual attention, as they are mentored by the staff in a master-apprentice relationship, which ultimately inspires the students to progress at a rapid pace during each three-week session.
Repertoire for past FYO concerts has included music from the Baroque, Classical, Romantic, and Contemporary periods: Bach and Handel orchestral suites, Mozart overtures, Joplin and Ives rags, Elgar suites, works by Satie and Debussy, Strauss waltzes, and works by Bernstein.
Orchestra personnel (actual numbers may vary): 8-10 violins, 4 violas, 4-6 cellos, 1-3 basses, 3 flutes, 2 oboes, 2 clarinets, 2 bassoons, 2 trumpets, 2 horns, 1 piano, 1 harp, 2 percussion/tympani.
Faculty: conductor/artistic director; coaches: 2 upper & 2 lower strings, 1 woodwind, 1 brass, 1 percussion; apprentice-in-training. Teacher will be assigned to no more than five students.
Sample daily schedule:
| 8:30-8:55 a.m. | Arrival/sign-in with staff/warm up in practice rooms |
| 9:00-9:55 a.m. | Monitored individual practice with staff |
| 10:00-10:55 a.m. | Sectionals with coaches |
| 11:00 a.m.-12:30 p.m. | Full orchestrarehearsal |
| 12:30-1:15 p.m. | Lunch |
| 1:15-3:15 p.m. | Chamber music/masterclasses/mock auditions & practice performances |
| 3:15-3:30 p.m. | Pack-up, wrap-up and open forum with staff |
Application procedure: Download an application form from www.newenglandconservatory.edu/summer/forms_registration.html or call 617-585-1126.
Supporting material: Applicants should submit a 5-minute audio or video (VHS/DVD format) of a fast/contrasting slow movement or etude with the application form. (Note: audition is by tape/CD/DVD only; supporting material cannot be returned. All applications and supporting material should be mailed to: Attn: Aaron Kula, Resident Scholar in Music, Florida Atlantic University, Wimberly Library, 777 Glades Road, Boca Raton, FL 33431.
Admission: NEC Festival Youth Orchestra has a rolling admissions policy: decisions as to acceptance are made as material is submitted. Sections fill up rapidly, so apply early! (See below for information on early bird and sibling discounts.)
Registration: Accepted participants will receive a special FYO registration form to be filled out and sent to New England Conservatory with payment. Participants will then receive a confirmation from NEC, and the registration process is complete. (Note: April 15, 2008 is the deadline for registration and payment to obtain the early-bird discounted tuition.)
Housing: We regret that NEC cannot provide housing for FYO participants.
Questions: Contact the Summer School Director at 617-585-1126 or at mulmer@newenglandconservatory.edu.
Tuition: $1765
Early-bird discounted tuition (registered/paid by March 15, 2008): $1490
Multi-sibling discount of $275 for each additional sibling
plus $30 NEC registration fee