Saratoga Springs Youth Orchestra

Saratoga Springs Youth Orchestra
Stakeholder Meeting

The Board of the Saratoga Springs Youth Orchestra is holding a “call to action” meeting for all stakeholders and persons interested in the continuation of the Saratoga Springs Youth Orchestra (SSYO) in 2012.

The Saratoga Springs Youth Orchestra (SSYO) is a small “select” youth orchestra comprised of high school/college students (15 -25 years) from Saratoga County and throughout the Capital Region.   SSYO is dedicated to quality music performances of a unique repertoire of rare European classical music pieces.  Under the musical and artistic direction  of a world class  musician and conductor, Maestro Gioacchino Longobardi, young musicians are given the opportunity to develop a true pride of music, and a desire for excellence as part of a group orchestral experience and as an individual musician.

SSYO did not have an orchestra season last year due to a lack of sufficient, high level student musicians and the right mix of instruments.  There is a renewed commitment to bring back the orchestra in this New Year.  Efforts to recruit student musicians are being developed and new opportunities to reconnect to the community are also needed.

The SSYO Board has been busy the last few months laying a foundation for change.   A retreat was held in December and a report summarizing the results of that discussion is now available.   The Board is actively looking to add local stakeholders and board members to help with moving the Saratoga Springs Youth Orchestra forward.

The primary activities that will be addressed over the next 30-60 days are:

Ø      Redeveloping the orchestra (attraction and recruitment)
Ø      Reconnecting with the public/community
Ø      Re-engaging young musicians with the SSYO

If you are interested in learning more about the orchestra and joining us in its reforming, please attend the stakeholder meeting on Sunday, February 12, 2012 at St. Mary’s School, 40 Thompson Street, Ballston Spa.

Please RSVP your interest in attending at:  ssyoorg@gmail.com
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If you have questions or need further information please contact: ssyoorg@gmail.com

Mary Cowans
President

Dear Friends and Supporters of SSYO,

We are sorry to inform you that the upcoming season for the Saratoga Springs Youth Orchestra has been canceled. Unfortunately, despite our best efforts to identify musicians for the 2011-2012 season there were not enough student musicians and the right mix of instruments enrolled to form an orchestra.

The decision to cancel was very difficult for the Board, and one we did not take lightly. Our concern rested with the musicians who counted on the quality instruction they received under the direction of Maestro Longobardi.

For SSYO to meet our goal of operating a “quality” youth music program we need a minimum of 20 high level musicians with the right proportion of string instruments by the first rehearsal date. This did not happen, we had 9 wonderful musicians far short of the 20 necessary. 

So What Happens Next With SSYO?

It is the Board’s intent to conduct an internal assessment of the organization, and develop a plan towards bringing the orchestra back beginning fall 2012.  We have obtained a tentative commitment from Maestro Longobardi to remain connected to SSYO during this interim period with the hope of beginning in Fall 2012. Please be assured we are committed to having a stronger, better, SSYO in the near future.

I would like to thank all of you for your interest in SSYO and your dedication to our youth music program. We will keep you informed of our progress.

Thanks to all SSYO musicians who participated.

On September 1, 2011, SSYO musicians successfully participated in Saratoga Springs Chamber of Commerce Lip Dub Saratoga.  The Orchestra, comprised of eight SSYO musicians joined by other musicians from Saratoga schools and 2 adult volunteers, were stationed on the corner of Broadway and Phila Street.

The Orchestra was prepped by Jeff Halstead (our Chamber of Commerce contact and Director of our Lip Dub segment) and on cue, performed a portion of Drops of Jupiter. by Train. (http://youtu.be/7Xf-Lesrkuc)

The weather was good, the musicians performed beautifully and everyone was very patient in between takes (they were filmed 3 separate times over a 2.5 hour time period).

Thank you musicians for your time, attendance, being prepared, looking great, and following the direction provided by Mr. Halstead.

Thank you parents, Mary Cowans, Vice President, SSYO, and Maestro Longobardi for your support, help with supervision during the event and transportation to and from Saratoga Springs.

This was a unique and fun experience for us all and great exposure for SSYO.  Stay tuned for details on the premier  at: http://www.facebook.com/SaratogaLipDub.