Local student musicians are invited to try out for a place in the Chester County Youth Orchestra (CCYO). CCYO will hold its spring new member auditions on Saturday, May 18, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Chester County Intermediate Unit (CCIU), 455 Boot Road, Downingtown.
The CCYO, which is sponsored by the CCIU, is open to youths ages 12 to 18. Openings are available in all sections, but there is a particular need for those who play the flute, percussion, cello, bass and all brass instruments.
Students should be prepared to play major scales and a prepared solo, and they will be asked to do a sight reading. Auditions are by appointment only. For more information and to schedule an audition, individuals may visit http://www.ccyo.org/auditions.
The audition process will last approximately 10 minutes. "Students should bring their own instruments to the audition," noted Mark Cellini, who directs the orchestra along with Katrina Kelly. "The only exception to this would be percussionists, who can contact us to discuss instrument needs for their auditions."
He noted that most members of the orchestra are part of their own school musical groups. "While CCYO does not require students to participate in their own school band or orchestra programs, we highly encourage their participation," Cellini stated. "There is also no requirement for studying privately; however, an overwhelming majority of those students accepted into CCYO do so."
CCYO offers students an opportunity to enjoy playing in a symphony orchestra along with musicians from Chester, Delaware and Montgomery counties. This year, the CCYO marked its 25th anniversary year with a concert on May 11.
"Students in CCYO come from all over Chester County, as well as a few students from neighboring counties," Cellini said. "There are no geographic restrictions for participating in CCYO. Any student who wants to participate is welcome to audition." He noted that participating students are asked to pay a yearly tuition fee.
Cellini emphasized that even though the students come from different schools and backgrounds, they are able to form a cohesive musical unit. "This is one of the best parts of participating in CCYO," he said. "Because students are coming together from different school music programs, they are all in the same boat of being out of their comfort zone. Students form close bonds with one another across school lines, and the musical experience is enhanced because of this." He added that many students in CCYO also spend time together outside of CCYO activities.
Members of the CCYO rehearse weekly on Wednesday evenings from September through May at Peirce Middle School, West Chester. "It can sometimes be a challenge to rehearse during the middle of the week, but we strive to make the rehearsal experience an enjoyable and educational experience for the students," Cellini said. "We are very respectful of individual family schedules, and we strive to keep CCYO commitments - with the exception of concerts, of course - to Wednesday evenings."
In addition to performing concerts, students take part in social activities. "We try to schedule a few events during the year completely separate from music," Cellini noted. "Some highlights include doing an escape room as well as an afternoon of bowling."
In addition, CCYO chooses a local nonprofit to benefit each year, and the students take part in a service project relating to that organization. "This year, CCYO is proud to benefit Safe Harbor of Chester County," Cellini said. "CCYO students came together to cook a meal for the residents, and a few students visited the shelter and helped to serve the meal."
For more information about the CCYO, readers may visit http://www.ccyo.org or http://www.facebook.com/ccyorch or email info@ccyo.org.
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