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Artistic Staff Miriam Oddie South County Strings Director Acclaimed as both a teacher and a performer, native New Zealander Miriam Oddie is devoted to inspiring a love of music in audiences and students. She has performed with numerous orchestras such as the Abilene Philharmonic, the Midland Odessa Symphony and Chorale, and the Dallas Bach Society. Simultaneously, she has taught numerous violin and viola students in the Lewisville, TX school district and also maintained a private studio. Miriam has participated in numerous music festivals, including the Eastern Music Festival, the Castleman Quartet Program, and the Aspen Music Festival. In summer 2019, she was honored to be a guest artist at the Saarburg International Music Festival in Saarburg, Germany. Miriam attended the prestigious Eastman School of Music for her undergraduate degree, studying with violists John Graham and Carol Rodland. She went to the University of North Texas to pursue her Masters degree, studying with renowned violist and pedagogue Susan Dubois. While at UNT, she served as the principal violist of the university symphony and also began exploring a passion for baroque music as a member of the UNT Baroque Orchestra. When not teaching or performing, Miriam is probably reading, running, or baking! Back to Staff

Orchestra In The Schools OITS Handbook Calendar Pay Tuition Music Tuition Assistance Absence Form Registration Closed The 2019-2020 Chamber Players. REGISTRATIONS ARE CLOSED FOR THE 2025-2026 SEASON Since 1988 Orchestra in the Schools (OITS) offers music instruction for beginners to intermediate levels, be part of an orchestra and perform with students from other schools. No experience is needed . This can be a student’s first musical experience. No auditions are necessary. Orchestra in the Schools is an affordable, after-school music education program. Available to students in grades 3-8 attending Charter, Public, Private and Home-School Younger students may be accepted with approval from the Artistic Director. Students will learn to play an orchestral instrument, read music, rehearse, and perform with other young people from Monterey County. Each student gets a minimum of 27 two-hour sessions throughout the school year Two concerts are planned, our Winter Concert on December 11, 2025 and our Spring Concert on May 14, 2026. Both concerts take place at All Saints Day School. Small group lessons from highly qualified Instructors teaching: Strings - Violin, Viola and Cello (1/4, 1/2, 3/4 or 4/4 sizes) Double Bass - (1/8, 1/4, 1/2 and 3/4 sizes) Woodwinds - Flute, Oboe, Clarinet, Bassoon, Saxophone Brass - Trumpet, Horn, Trombone, Baritone, Tuba Percussion - Snare Drum, Drum Pad, Bells, Bass Drum Dates/Times & Locations Classes are from 4:00 pm to 6:00 pm Mondays at the International School Monterey (ISM) : Beginning Band (Woodwinds, Brass, Percussion), Beginning Strings (Violin, Viola), and Intermediate Strings (Violin, Viola). Tuesdays at Monterey Bay Charter School (MBCS) : Intermediate Band (Woodwinds, Brass, Percussion), Beginning Strings (Violin, Viola), Intermediate Strings (Violin, Viola) Thursdays at All Saints Day School (ASDS) : Beginning Strings (Violin, Viola), Intermediate Strings (Violin, Viola, Cello) Thursdays at the YMM Office (546 Hartnell St., Suite B, Monterey, CA 93940) : Cello only. Google Calendar Click the link for your student's OITS site to add the site-specific calendar to your personal calendar app. OITS ISM Calendar: https://oits.short.gy/OITSatISM OITS MBCS Calendar: https://oits.short.gy/OITSatMBCS OITS ASDS Calendar: https://oits.short.gy/OITSatASDS OITS YMM Office Calendar: https://oits.short.gy/OITSatYMMCOFFICE Cost: The cost is $725.00 for the entire school year of instruction. Instrument loans at no cost for registered students with $50 refundable deposit. Tuition Aid is available for qualified applicants.

2020-2021 Season Repertoire Fall Concert Junior Youth Orchestra: Pirates of the Caribbean Haydn Piano Concerto (Bryan Kim, soloist) Honors Orchestra: Star Wars Hoe Down (from Rodeo)

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Chamber Players The 2019-2020 Chamber Players. The Chamber Players program was designed to enhance the orchestras' program and seeks to provide a professional level of training and performance for students. The Chamber Players' experience includes mentorship through multiple annual master classes with world-class artists. Past artists have included the Juilliard String Quartet and Van Cliburn Gold Medalist and international piano soloist Jon Nakamatsu. Through multiple annual performances throughout the season, in retirement communities, schools, South County Strings programs, and in an annual concert benefiting all YMMC programs, the Chamber Players act as ambassadors for youth and music in our community. Members are selected by audition. The program is open to any instrumentalist within our orchestra program, including pianists; as with all the YMMC small ensembles, there is no additional tuition to participate. Please visit our Auditions page to learn more about joining this program! Auditions

Become an Angel! The Angel Network of Youth Music Monterey County is a family of devoted music supporters who ensure that local student musicians can experience the unique and powerful music education of the Junior Youth and Honors Orchestras. You can help build the next generation of musicians and music lovers by becoming a member of the Angel Network. When you get involved, you will see up close what your donation is helping to secure. Your support bridges the gap between student fees and actual program cost, keeping this high-level opportunity affordable for all student musicians in Monterey County, spanning from Salinas and South County communities to the Monterey Peninsula. As an Angel, you will receive a hand-crafted silver pin and will enjoy special events featuring individual performances by our talented musicians, as well as the benefits detailed in each tier below. This committed network of Angels ensures a legacy of excellence in music both now and for the future. You are invited to join this very special musical family! Become an Angel Now Angel $500 annual donation you'll receive Handcrafted Angel Network pins Listing in concert programs Two Dress Circle Tickets to Sunset Center orchestral performances annually Invitations to after Sunset Center concert receptions Invitations to the Annual Angel Appreciation Event Archangel $1,000 annual donation you will receive Angel benefits plus Video recordings of Sunset Center concert performances upon request Archangel Bronze $2,500 annual donation you will receive Archangel benefits plus Reserved Seating at all Sunset Center concerts upon request Archangel Silver $5,000 annual donation you will receive Archangel Bronze benefits plus 10 complimentary guest tickets annually upon request Solo/Duet Student Performance if requested* Archangel Gold $10,000 annual donation you will receive Archangel Bronze benefits plus 10 complimentary guest tickets annually upon request Chamber Student Performance if requested* Thank you for your interest in the Youth Music Monterey County Angel Network! We hope you will consider becoming a part of our special family of benefactors. Your support ensures the availability of an unparalleled music education program in our community! Become an Angel Today! Browse More Ways to Give Archangel Platinum $25,000 + annual donation you will receive Archangel Gold benefits plus: Opportunity to attend a private event with Music Director, Artistic Staff, & Board *Schedule to be determined by student availability

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Become an Angel! Welcome! We're thrilled that you've decided to join us. The Angel Network is a family of devoted music supporters whose annual gifts help sustain the availability of our unparalleled music education programs. You can fill out the application below to pay online, or contact the office to pay by cash or check. Learn More More Ways to Give Youth Music Monterey County is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization (EIN 94-2863607). Contributions are tax-deductible by law. Donorbox form

Tuition Junior Youth and Honors Orchestra Payments Full tuition $1400 3 month payment plan, $467/month 10 month payment plan, $140/month Orchestra In the Schools Payment One time payment $675 Tuition and lesson assistance are available to families who demonstrate need. Financial Assistance Information Tuition Assistance Form

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- Two Dress Circle Tickets to Sunset Center orchestral performances annually - Invitations to after Sunset Center concert receptions - Invitations to the Annual Angel Appreciation Event < Back Angel - Two Dress Circle Tickets to Sunset Center orchestral performances annually - Invitations to after Sunset Center concert receptions - Invitations to the Annual Angel Appreciation Event Handcrafted Angel Network pins Listing in concert programs Two Dress Circle Tickets to Sunset Center orchestral performances annually Invitations to after Sunset Center concert receptions Invitations to the Annual Angel Appreciation Event Power in Numbers $500 annual donation you'll receive Programs 50 Locations 200 Volunteers Project Gallery Previous Next

Audition Requirements Audition Requirements and Expectations AUDITION DATES: Students interested in scheduling an audition should send an email to office@youthmusicmonterey.org OR call 831-375-1992. The YMM Office is located at : 546 Hartnell St., Suite B, Monterey YMM Rehearsals are at: Hidden Valley Music Seminars 104 W. Carmel Valley Rd., Carmel Valley Audition Form Audition Requirements for Woodwinds & Brass Junior Youth Orchestra - Be prepared to play one-octave major scales in the concert keys of G, D, F, & Bb major in quarter notes at 80 mm per quarter note - Play a piece under 2 minutes in length which demonstrates your current level of study. This can be school sheet music, an etude, or a solo. - Demonstrate basic skills through a brief sight-reading passage Honors Orchestra - Be prepared to play one-octave major scales in the concert keys of C, G, D, F, Bb, & Eb, in slow eighth notes (quarter note at 80mm), two octaves wherever possible - Play the chromatic scale that shows your current range on the instrument in quarter notes at 80 mm per quarter or faster - Demonstrate knowledge of dynamics, phrasing, rhythm, accuracy, and good pitch through the playing of two prepared selections, 1-2 minutes each and of contrasting styles - Demonstrate good sight-reading skills in a passage of orchestral literature Audition Requirements for Percussion Junior Youth Orchestra -Demonstrate ability to play quarter, 8th, & 16th notes in time, by yourself and with a metronome,on the snare drum between 80-100 mm per quarter. -Demonstrate basic rudiments such as flams, drags, & double stroke open-roll rudiments -Demonstrate ability to play a mallet instrument (treble clef) or timpani (bass clef) using school sheet music or a solo/etude piece one minute in length -Demonstrate sight reading ability and rudiments on the snare and either on mallets or timpani on orchestral passages Honors Orchestra -Demonstrate ability to play quarter, 8th, & 16th notes in time, by yourself and with a metronome, on the snare drum, between 80-100 mm per quarter. Demonstrate basic rudiments such as flams, drags, & double stroke open roll rudiments. -Demonstrate ability to play a mallet instrument (treble clef) or timpani (bass clef) using school sheet music or a solo/etude piece one minute in length. -Demonstrate sight reading ability and rudiments on the snare drum and either on mallets or timpani on orchestral passages -All percussion equipment will be provided but you should bring your own drumsticks. Bell & timpani mallets will be provided Audition Requirements for Strings Junior Youth Orchestra JYO First Violin - Play 2-octave scales in G, D, A, C, & Bb major Ability to play in 3rd position & playing at the level of Suzuki books 4-5 or equivalent - Demonstrate a variety of bowing skills on the string as well as a “brush bounce stroke” - Play a piece under 2 minutes in length which demonstrates current level of study - Have an understanding and some experience playing vibrato - Demonstrate sight-reading ability which may include the above-mentioned skills JYO Second Violin - Play 2-octave scales in G, A, C, & Bb major - Able to play in 1st position keys of G, D, C, & F major - 1 to 1-1/2 years of experience and at the Suzuki level 2-3 or equivalent - Play a piece under 2 minutes in length which demonstrates current level of study - Demonstrate sight-reading skills with a variety of simple rhythms in 1st position JYO Viola - Play 1-octave scales in C, D, & G major (2 octaves in C major preferred) - 1 to 1-1/2 years of experience and at the Suzuki level 2-4 or equivalent - Play a piece under 2 minutes in length which demonstrates current level of study - Demonstrate basic skills through short sight-reading selection JYO Cello - Play scales in 1 or 2 octaves in the key of C, D, G, & A - Demonstrate ability to play in 1st & 4th position - Playing for at least 2 years - Play a piece under 2 minutes in length which demonstrates current level of study - Demonstrate basic skills through short sight-reading selection JYO Bass - 1-octave scales in G, D, C, & F major - Solo selection which demonstrates intermediate level performance - Demonstrate basic skills through short sight-reading selection Audition Requirements for Strings Honors Orchestra Honors First Violin - 3-octave scales & arpeggios in C, G, D, A, E, F, Bb, & Eb major Fluent in position work & at the level of Suzuki Book 7 or above or equivalent - Demonstrate mature vibrato - Play well in tune in a variety of keys and bowing styles, demonstrating high level of musicianship, intonation, phrasing,& dynamic contrasts - Play a piece under 2 minutes in length which demonstrates current level of study - Demonstrate the ability to sight read standard orchestra repertoire Honors Second Violin - 3-octave scales in C, G, D, A, F, & Bb major - Fluent in 1st, 3rd, & 5th positions - Have a developed vibrato - Demonstrate controlled spiccato and ability to play with a variety of bowing styles - Play well in tune and demonstrate knowledge of dynamics and varied rhythms - Play a piece under 2 minutes in length which demonstrates current level of study - Demonstrate sight reading skills at level of Honors Orchestra Honors Viola - 3-octave C major scale, 2 octave scales in D, G, A, f, & Bb major Demonstrate sight reading skills - Playing at level of Suzuki book 5 or higher or equivalent - Play a piece under 2 minutes in length which demonstrates current level of study Honors Cello - 2-octave scales in C, D, G, A, F & Bb major - Demonstrate advanced playing ability, musicianship, intonation, dynamics & phrasing - Able to play octave harmonic thumb position (8th) - Demonstrate skill in performing a variety of bowing styles, both on & off the string - Play a piece under 2 minutes in length which demonstrates current level of study - Demonstrate sight reading skills at level of Honors Orchestra Honors Bass - 2-octave scales in C, G, D, A, F, & Bb major - Perform 2 short selections of different styles at high school level or higher - Demonstrate a variety of position work, tempi, dynamic contrasts - Demonstrate a variety of bowing styles, both on & off the string - Demonstrate sight reading skills at level of Honors Orchestra