CYS Plan 2020-21

The Canton Youth Symphonies are dedicated to high-quality orchestral education for students in the Stark County area and beyond. In the face of the COVID-19 pandemic, this organization is also dedicated to the safety of our students, families and staff. We have made the difficult decision to continue our orchestral education virtually for the Fall of 2020. We have made this decision using feedback from our community, several research studies, and the local, state and federal guidelines. Even though we will not be able to gather together safely, we want to create a fulfilling experience for our students and families. Students will be able to enjoy weekly rehearsals where they will be assigned full orchestra music, attend master classes, get one-on-one training and much more. 

We will be reevaluating and monitoring the situation on an ongoing basis. President & CEO Michelle Charles is intent on only returning when she feels confident that all participants can be safe. We will keep all of the families within the youth symphonies informed as things change.

AUDITIONS

Auditions for the Canton Youth Symphonies will be held virtually. Students will sign up to have a live audition via Zoom, August 30 – September 2 & September 14 – 15. If a student requires to send in a pre-recorded video due to insufficient internet service, they can fill out a request form to do so.

*Percussionists will be allowed to audition in person due to the nature of the instruments needed. Once percussionists fill out the Audition Form, they should email rhagemeier@cantonsymphony.org to set up a special socially distanced audition. *

TUITION AND PAYMENTS

Tuition will also be lower for the 2020-2021 season and tuition will be paid monthly so our families have more flexibility.  Tuition will be due on the 15^th of every month. Families will have the option to provide a credit card number and be automatically charged at the end of the month or will need to send in a check each month. Families may also send in all checks for the fall at once, but they will be cashed once a month.

Tuition will be as follows:

• Canton Youth Strings: $10 per month
• Canton Youth Symphony: $15 per month
• Canton Youth Symphony Advanced Orchestra: $15 per month

For families with more than one student in the program, each additional student will receive $5 their tuition per month.

INSTRUCTORS

The Canton Youth Symphonies will be instructed by the following:

• Matthew Jenkins Jaroszewicz, Music Director and Associate Conductor of the CSO
• Ralena Bevington, Youth Strings Instructor
• Rachel Hagemeier, Manager of Education and Community Engagement

Teaching assistants will also be hired from Ohio university music education programs to assist with one on one training and other musical opportunities.

REHEARSALS

Students will still be placed into ensembles as normal based on their audition. Beginning on September 21st, students will meet weekly via Zoom for sectional rehearsals, master classes, practice sessions, and one-on-one training. For the duration of their ensemble’s rehearsal, students will be in a Zoom room where they can practice together or sit and ask questions. Each section will have a specific time during the full rehearsal where they will join a separate Zoom room to have their sectional rehearsal. The ensembles will meet during the following times: 

• Canton Youth Strings
  • Monday: 5-6pm
• Canton Youth Symphony Advanced Orchestra
  • Monday: 6-8:30pm
• Canton Youth Symphony
  • Tuesday: 6-8:30pm

Although the organization will not be able to meet as a full orchestra for the time being, students will still be able to gather and work on orchestral music as a virtual group. Students will be assigned orchestral music and musical projects throughout the season while also having the opportunity for other musical development and possible collaborations with other youth organizations. Students may be assigned to chamber groups if interested. These groups may be able to rehearse in person before the full orchestras when the CSO deems it is safe to do so. 

For both the Canton Youth Symphony Advanced Orchestra and the Canton Youth Symphony, students will be on Zoom for the entire rehearsal time (6-8:30). Breakouts into different rooms will happen at the specified times.

Other Ensembles Activities:

• Musical and Career Development
• Group Recitals
• Virtual Orchestra Project
• Compositional Workshops
• Conducting Workshops
• Theory/History Classes
• Coaching with CSO Professional Musicians

On specific weeks, the ensembles will meet as a full group for the duration of the Zoom to have discussion on history, theory and other musical topics.  Recitals and musical development events will also be scheduled throughout the season. These will be a meeting of all three ensembles. More events and educational opportunities will be scheduled. 

We understand that this is not the ideal situation, but we hope that our community will trust us as we lean into the uncertainty to provide the best orchestral education possible in this time. We will be communicating any changes to our plan and monitoring the situation as the world situation develops. 

Contact:

Rachel Hagemeier

Manager of Education and Community Engagement

405-562-0977

rhagemeier@cantonsymphony.org