MYSO of Atlanta - Programs

2007-2008
Eighteenth Season

The following sponsors have helped to make our season and annual gala a success. The annual gala helps MYSO of Atlanta raise money to provide the support this organization needs to allow our students to pursue musical excellence at the highest level:

KLM Royal Dutch Airlines
Georgia State University
Mannes College of Music
Conrad Ciccotello, PhD
Lynn McConnell, World Artists
Paul Abamonte, Smart Glass
Landmark Diner at GSU
Dr. Daniel A. Burstein, DDS, PC.

Support MYSO of Atlanta by shopping through www.iGive.com at over 680 online stores from eBay to Barnes and Noble. [list of stores]

Programs Offered

Symphony Orchestra

For musicians ages 13 to 21, MYSO offers membership by audition into its full symphonic orchestra: strings, winds, brass, percussion, and harp. The Symphony Repertoire is specifically chosen by our conductor to challenge and broaden the scope of performance experience for our musicians. Membership in MYSO of Atlanta is earned through blind auditions, which are adjudicated by the MYSO of Atlanta conductors and other professional musicians. All positions in the 100+ member full orchestra will be filled at these auditions.

String Orchestra

For musicians ages 13 and younger, MYSO offers membership by audition into its string only ensemble of violins, violas, cellos and basses. The String Orchestra Repertoire is selected to enable the younger musician to grow in their musicianship and prepare them for admission into the Symphony Orchestra. Membership in MYSO of Atlanta is earned through blind auditions, which are adjudicated by the MYSO of Atlanta conductors and other professional musicians. All positions in the string orchestra will be filled at these auditions.

Chamber Ensembles

The chamber music program of the Metropolitan Youth Symphony Orchestra of Atlanta – a vital part of the MYSO experience. It is the goal of the program to educate, inspire, and develop the artistic talents of each student through the study of chamber music. The program offers coaching with professional Atlanta area musicians and educators. Students may also have the possibility of presenting outreach performances throughout the Atlanta area. Students will develop their musical and leadership skills while studying serious repertoire. The program is open to String and Symphony Orchestra students.

Theory Program

Music theory is a field of study that investigates the nature or mechanics of music. It often involves identifying patterns that govern composers' techniques. In a more general sense, music theory also often distills and analyzes the elements of music – rhythm, harmony (harmonic function), melody, structure, and texture. This program is voluntary, but highly recommended to all of our students. This class will be offered on the designated rehearsal days before the regular Symphony Orchestra rehearsals.

Travel Opportunities

Travel has become an exciting and integral part of our musical education program. MYSO receives invitations to perform in many exciting venues beyond the Atlanta area. The 12th season, MYSO was invited to perform in the Spotlight Ensemble Series at Carnegie Hall on April 14, 2002! Recent trips have taken MYSO members to the Mid-west Band Orchestra Clinic in Chicago, IL, Georgia Music Educators’ Association (GMEA) functions in Savannah, GA, Piccolo Spoletto in Charleston, the Super Bowl Halftime Show during Super Bowl XXXIV in Atlanta, performed at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii on D-Day in June 2004. MYSO also was presented with an American Flag that once flew over the US Arizona Memorial. In the Spring of 2006 MYSO was invited by the US-China Cultural & Educational Foundation to travel to China. Here they engaged in cultural and educational programs with musicians in China as well as having several performances in major cities like Beijing, Nanjing, and Shanghai.