KEY POINTS:
The Auckland Youth Symphony Orchestra bridges the gap between secondary school orchestras and adult professional groups, providing expert training for musicians between the ages of 18-24.
The AYSO holds auditions each October. "The number of new admissions varies," explains committee member Lois Westwood. "If they're up to it, they're in."
The annual $75 fee is kept low so that finance does not exclude good musicians from training.
The orchestra rehearsals for three hours every Wednesday with extra weekend rehearsals leading up to concerts. There are three concert series each year in March, July, October. The July and October series involve a tour to several distant towns then a concert in Auckland. Regular workshops and section tutorials are conducted by specialist tutors, and a weekend camp is held early each year.
Scholarships and awards are presented each year. Next Sunday the Lodge of the Liberal Arts will be awarding two $1000 prizes at the orchestra's afternoon concert at the Auckland Town Hall.
Senior YO players are often invited to play with professional orchestras. And intern positions are possible with the Auckland Philharmonia when players move on from AYSO.
Also, many players head overseas for post-grad study and work experience in international orchestras before returning here to perform and teach.
Te Atatu violinist Jenny Chen, the YO's Concertmaster, has her sights on becoming a professional musician, and is in the final year of a Bachelor of Music degree at the University of Auckland. Her aim is to do postgraduate studies overseas.
Westwood says the promotion to Orchestra Leader, the senior violinist, known as Concertmaster, involves a lot more than playing. "The role calls for a close liaison with the conductor and control of the players. It's a very important CV entry."
Chen's CV is already impressive. At age 13 she passed Grade 8 with the highest mark in New Zealand, at 14 she passed the Performer's Certificate, again with the highest mark in the country, then went on to pass ATCL Performance and was a finalist in the Auckland Philharmonia Young Artist Competition.
Last year she won the University of Auckland Chamber Music Competition, playing in the Christchurch Symphony Orchestra French Series, becoming a member of the University of Auckland Symphony Orchestra and selection for the University of Auckland Strings.
Jenny Chen 20
Concertmaster with Auckland Youth Symphony Orchestra.
I've been playing with AYSO since 2005; and Concertmaster from the beginning of this year.
Last year we went on a tour of the South Island; this year we are touring the North Island.
I'm in my third year of BMus (majoring in violin performance). I started violin at age 6; and passed ATCL Performance at age 14. I like orchestral music very much due to the vast repertoire, and team environment. It's not too difficult to fit music around the other aspects of my life as I am studying music at university.
It's like most other disciplines of study, it takes time and effort, but I think music is a lot more fun and exciting than other studies!
Being in the YO has taught me how to work with different people and how to achieve the best results out of the differences in ideas.
Antun Poljanich
Auckland Youth Symphony Orchestra Musical Director
I accepted Jenny into the orchestra because she showed great potential. Being a member of the youth orchestra has many aspects: one is the training to become a professional orchestra musician; others are the enjoyment of music and the social aspects of connecting with people with a similar interest in classical music.
The position of concert master is important. The orchestra is a group of 70-plus people. It has to have "middle management". Every part of the group is important, particularly leaders of orchestra sections.
The most important part of the leadership is the concert master who passes technical information or changes to the string section. She also advises and makes suggestions that the conductor might have.
Jenny's developing into a very good violinist. She is developing also into a good leader in a focused way.
The youth orchestra is almost an exact copy of what is happening in a professional environment. The coaches and conductors are professional and their repertoire is the one that she would be playing with a professional group; the only difference is that we give them a bit more time.
Training place
* What: Auckland Youth Symphony Orchestra.
* Prerequisites: Entry is by audition in October, Grade 8 or above and good sight-reading required. Age 18-24 but younger players are accepted if they reach the entry standards.
* Cost: $75 annual fee
* Contacts: ph: 09 309 0280, www.aucklandyouthorchestra.co.nz, email
