Hey there! We're gearing up for finally being back in person this season, and we're really excited to welcome new and old faces to our orchestra. Here's some relevant information about rehearsals and auditions.
All of the below dates will be put in a Google/ical calendar available for download; check this space or the Musicians page for the link.
Rehearsals & Concert Dates
YMMC rehearsals take place every Wednesday. The Junior Youth orchestra meets from 4:30 - 6 PM, and the Honors orchestra meets from 6:30-8:30 PM. Rehearsals take place at Hidden Valley Music Seminars in Carmel Valley.
For our first concert cycle, rehearsals will start August 25th, 2021, and run every Wednesday until the first concert on November 14th, 2021. (Rehearsals for concert #2 will start on November 17th, 2021, the Wednesday following concert #1.)
Our concerts take place at Sunset Center in Carmel. They're typically held on Sundays from 3-5 with rehearsal call times in the mornings. More specific information will be sent out prior to the concert date. This year, the dates are:
Concert #1: November 14th, 2021
Concert #2: February 27th, 2022
Concert #3: May 8th, 2022
2021-2022 Concerto Competitions
Every concert season, some members of the Honors and Junior Youth orchestras prepare a solo concerto to perform to a panel of judges; the winner typically plays their concerto in the next concert (#2 for Honors, #3 for JYO). If you're interested in taking part in a concerto competition, we encourage you to contact our music director, Danko Druško, first: he will verify that the concerto is suitable to play in our ensembles before you begin preparing it. Forms and extra information about requirements are available on the website prior to the competition date, but please feel free to reach out to us with any questions now.
Honors Concerto Competition: October 30th, 2021
Junior Youth Concerto Competition: February 13th, 2021
Retreats?
In the making! During the rehearsal cycle for each concert, YMM orchestras each year take part in a weekend retreat at Hidden Valley Music Seminars. It's an opportunity to bond with their fellow musicians, take part in rehearsal and sectional intensives, and learn from fascinating guest musicians who come and present their work.
Fall Retreat: We're still working on the dates, but this will likely be in early October--stay tuned!
Winter Retreat: January 9-10, 2022
Spring Retreat: April 2-3, 2022
Special Events
This year, YMM is putting on a Round Up! gala at Hidden Valley Music Seminars, October 3, 2021. It's a season kickoff event with proceeds benefitting all YMMC programs, including our Youth Orchestras, Chamber Ensembles, South County Strings, and Fresh Perspectives series. We'll have entertainment California cookout style--music, food, wine, & nonalcoholic beverages. Please visit our Round Up! page to learn more about sponsorship and admissions for the gala!
FAQ
Is everything slated to be back in person?
Yes! We're planning on meeting in person at Hidden Valley. We'll adhere to any guidelines required by the county/state with regards to masks and social distancing, and we'll keep you posted on any changes.
Where can I request tuition and lesson assistance?
You can request financial assistance when you register, or jump straight to our tuition assistance or lesson assistance forms.
When are auditions?
Video auditions are being accepted now through August 18th. We highly encourage prospective students to audition by that date, so they don't miss the first rehearsal, but don't stress if you're reading this after the deadline--we'll assess individual auditions as they come.
Any other questions? Don't hesitate to reach out!