Greater Twin Cities Youth Symphonies

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Greater Twin Cities Youth Symphonies

Background information
Origin	Twin Cities, Minnesota, USA The Greater Twin Cities Youth Symphonies (GTCYS) is a group of youth orchestras in the Twin Cities in Minnesota. Founded in 1972, GTCYS has served over 16,000 musicians and put on more than 500 concerts. The top orchestra has also traveled on 12 national and international tours. ^[1]GTCYS currently features 6 orchestras for young musicians any age through high school.

[edit] Orchestras

There are currently six orchestras starting from the rudimentary level. All of the orchestras require an audition which will place the instrumentalist into an orchestra that meets their playing needs. The only exception are the two Summer Orchestras that play and meet during the Summer. They do not require an audition. Half way through the Fall/Spring semester there is a Winter Audition for students who wish to participate for the last half of the GTCYS year.

The first orchestra level is the Philharmonia directed by Mary Sorlie.

This orchestra does not have any Woodwind or brass instruments. Percussion is also excluded.

Next is Sinfonia conducted by Sarah Chelgren.

This orchestra involves the Brass, Percussion, and Woodwinds. The auditions are more difficult but you are basically guaranteed this placement for Winds and Percussion.

The third tier is Concertino. This orchestra is conducted by Barbara Flooding.

This orchestra involves the Brass, Percussion, and Woodwinds. The auditions now become more difficult and require harder audition pieces and more scales.

The Top three Orchestras are Concert Orchestra (Jason Etten), Philharmonic (Dr. Jefferey Stirling), and Symphony (Amir Katz). ALL orchestras include a full range of Brass, Woodwinds and Percussion and focus on more advanced music with a large range music from contemporary to the classics.

Concert Orchestra is the lowest of the high, it is conducted by Jason Etten and focuses on more advanced music that the previous orchestras.

Philharmonic (Orchestra) is second only to the Symphony orchestra. It is yet more advanced then the Concert.

Symphony (Orchestra) is the most advanced group. It has the most advanced set of music and players. This orchestra has the option to travel internationally.

Concerts have been performed at notable venues in the Twin Cities such as Orchestra Hall and the Ordway Center for the Performing Arts. GTCYS orchestras have also performed around the world, in such venues as the Sydney Opera House.