Congratulations, and welcome to the Utah Valley Youth Symphony Organization. Since well-informed students and parents are the keys to our success, we have developed this membership handbook. We hope that it will be a valuable tool in balancing your own busy schedules. This Season we anticipate total enrollment in the UVYSO Organization to be close to 250 students in three different ensembles. With five conductors, four section coaches, seven logistics crew members,500 parents and assorted siblings, you can see the need for serious coordination.

Some very important issues are discussed in these pages and I strongly encourage everyone to read and understand what we are all about. Music can be an incredible force for good in the lives of our fellow human beings. The talent we enjoy brings with it a certain degree of responsibility to do our very best.

This season's tour will be to Southern California. This tour promises to be both exciting and challenging and we anticipate your participation. Making good music is a memorable and fulfilling experience. The music that you master, the lives that you touch, and the friendships that you make will be some of the very best things of your life.

Brent E. Taylor
Executive Director

UVYSO Profile

Welcome to the Musical Season of the Utah Valley Youth Symphony Orchestras. This handbook is designed particularly for you the student, parents, educators, and interested patrons to give insight to the Organization and to answer many of the questions that are often asked.

The Utah Valley Youth Symphony Orchestra, Inc., is a self-funding, non-profit, tax-exempt corporation, designed to "offer young musicians opportunity for study, performance, and creation of music on a potentially professional level," and to "foster appreciation and study of standard orchestral repertoire." (The quotes are taken directly from corporate by-laws.) The UVYSO Corporation has an Executive Board, an Advisory Board and a Volunteer Guild.

The Utah Valley Youth Symphony Orchestra, founded in 1960, is a private, auditioned organization comprised of the finest youth musicians in Utah Valley, an area located 40 miles south of Salt Lake City of approximately 320,000 population. Three different youth orchestras composed of talented students from area schools rehearse weekly and perform numerous concerts after passing very competitive auditions. Because these outstanding young musicians must compete for membership, only those of the finest talent and character are admitted for membership.

Student musicians study and perform the highest quality music from all stylistic periods under the very capable direction of the artistic staff. The principal conductors are Britton Davis and David Beck assisted by Brent Taylor. The groups rehearse weekly between September and April. In the total music education program of the Utah Valley Youth Symphony Organization, more than 250 student musicians ages 10 through 21 perform in three orchestras.

Touring is an important focus of the organization, and tour fees are paid by participating members of the touring groups. The Touring Orchestra of the Organization has performed throughout the Western United States, including Hawaii, and boasts three prestigious performances in New York City's Carnegie Hall with repeated invitations to return. International tours include five different trips to London, plus Continental Europe, Russia, Mexico, and Brazil, always to enthusiastic audiences.

Concerts are designed to be entertaining, culturally and spiritually uplifting, and educational. If appropriate, the conductor will spend a few moments acquainting the audience with the musicians and developing a rapport that enhances the concert experience. With music education as it's principal focus, the Utah Valley Youth Symphony Organization continually strives to meet the challenge of its mission statement - "to support aesthetic, social, and intellectual development of our youth and community through music."

Background

As a non-profit organization, the Utah Valley Youth Symphony Organization depends on public support for its existence. Rehearsal space is made available through the generous support of the Alpine School District. Direct cash funding is derived from tuition, corporate support from local business, and generous tax-deductible donations.

The Utah Valley Youth Symphony was first organized in 1960 by Dr. A. Harold Goodman about the time that he assumed the Chairmanship of the Music Department at Brigham Young University. The orchestra prospered, as good things have a tendency to do, until 1970 when BYU withdrew from sponsorship, and the group lay dormant for three years. In 1973 the orchestra was reorganized by Dr. Goodman, Dr. Terry Hill, and Brent Taylor. Fostering performance opportunities for everyone from "cradle to grave" became their credo and long term-objective. There were several major differences in the "new" organization; i.e., touring became part of the curriculum, community support became the main source of revenue, and a second training orchestra was created called the Junior High Honor Orchestra.

The Philharmonia was created in 1982 as part of a pilot project of the National Association of Music Merchants called Friends and Music USA which aimed itself squarely at the business community for support of Youth Music programs. The Philharmonia was created as a showcase performance group and has since performed on national television on Dr. Robert Schuller's Hour of Power telecast, at the United Nations International School, and three major concerts in Carnegie Hall (1988, 1998, and 2005). Other major tours over the years have included London, Paris, Madrid, Lisbon, Vienna, Mexico City, Rio de Janeiro, Chicago, Nauvoo, Honolulu, Los Angeles, Seattle, and St. George.

In 1985 the Chamber Orchestra (remnamed the Prepatory Orchestra in 2005) became the fourth group added to the Youth Symphony Organization. It's initial purpose was to train younger performers in the ensemble skills needed to move into the Sinfonia.

Currently, the organization sponsors three orchestras: Preparatory Orchestra, Sinfonia, and Philharmonia. Touring orchestras combine members of each of these ensembles under the banner of the Utah Valley Youth Symphony.

Orchestra Profiles

All Performing Groups of the Utah Valley Youth Symphony Organization will rehearse on Tuesdays at Canyon View Junior High (655 E 950 N) in Orem.

Philharmonia: Full Orchestra
"Phil" is for the most advanced students, and performs the greatest symphonic works. Students should be proficient in every technique commonly necessary for their instrument.
Youth Symphony: Full Orchestra
"Youth Symphony" is for accomplished Junior High and High School players, and performs a variety of works and styles. String students should know vibrato, shifting, and all technical abilities comparable to Suzuki Books 4-8.
String Sinfonia: String Orchestra
"Sinfonia" serves the needs of Elementary and Junior High age musicians who are preparing for the higher groups. Students should be playing the equivalent of Suzuki books 2-4.

Director Profiles

BRENT TAYLOR is the Executive Director of the Utah Valley Youth Symphony Organization. A graduate of BYU, Mr. Taylor constantly reminds us that inspiring our friends and families with great music is not only a tremendous opportunity to better our own talent, but is also part of our moral responsibility to lift the Spirit of all Mankind. Mr. Taylor has a great day job at Summerhays Music Center as the Professional String Specialist. His other ambitions include the orchestra program at Lone Peak High School and a private teaching studio for dedicated cellists.

BRITTON DAVIS graduated from Brigham Young University in 1978 with a Bachelor of Music Degree. He has spent his entire professional career thus far teaching Orchestra and Band in Alpine School District, currently teaching at Canyon View and Oak Canyon Junior High Schools. Mr. Davis first became associated with the Utah Valley Youth Symphony in 1976 and has served as an Assistant Conductor, Conductor, and presently as Artistic Director, Development Director, and Member of the Board of Directors. He also performs as a percussionist in the Utah Valley Symphony. Mr. Davis is married to Christine H. Davis, an accomplished violinist and composer/arranger. In his spare time, Mr. does the layout and engraving work required to prepare her music for publication.

DAVID BECK grew up in a school system without the privilege of an orchestra and is very thankful for the existence of the Tacoma Youth Symphony Organization that helped keep his enthusiasm alive. He graduated from Central Washington University with a Bachelors Degree in Violin Performance. He received his Master of Music Degree in Conducting from Brigham Young University. Mr. Beck began teaching at Pleasant Grove High School and Junior High in 1997. His Pleasant Grove High School Chamber Orchestra has participated in the State Orchestra Festival each year of his tenure. Mr. Beck maintains a private studio of violin students in Highland.

Logistics Crew

THE LOGISTICS CREW are the young men and women who work hard to make sure that the rehearsals and concerts run smoothly. They are all performing members in the Utah Valley Youth Symphony Organization. Their duties include helping with set-up, library, and the organization of the groups. We all appreciate their hard work and positive attitudes.

Tuition

The Utah Valley Youth Symphony Organization is funded largely by tuition. It is important that timely payment be made. The following tuition schedule applies:

	Individual	Family (2 or more, carload price)
Youth Symphony & Phil	$330	$595
String Sinfonia	$150	$595

Tuition is due at the first rehearsal. In order to ensure fairness to everyone, payment must be received before students can be officially seated in their assigned orchestra.

One of the questions that people often want to ask, but seldom ever do is, "What do you use the tuition money for?"

To answer that question, a brief budget review might be in order. About 80% of our annual budget comes from tuition. The rest of the money comes from grants and corporate donations.

We use the money to pay bills. We buy a lot of music. A Beethoven or Tchaikovsky Symphony can cost $300 to $500, and a pops piece might cost as much as $120 for just six minutes of music. We pay for professional services of conductors, accountants, and coaches. We pay for concert halls and auditoriums. We pay for office expenses like telephone, postage, software upgrades, etc.

The Utah Valley Youth Symphony is a 501-C-3 Organization. That means that we are exempt from federal income tax, however, it does not mean that we pay no taxes at all. There are payroll taxes, state and local sales taxes, audits and the cost of preparing an annual report to the Internal Revenue Service. Since the Youth Symphony is "tax exempt", the Organization's financial statement is a matter of public record. If you have any further questions about budget issues, Mr. Taylor will happily discuss it with any orchestra member or parent.

Concert Dress

Concert Dress for the Philharmonia and Youth Symphony, is black. That means:

For girls, a solid black, floor length, long sleeve dress or shirt/sweater and skirt, black shoes, and black hose. Tasteful earrings are acceptable. (Dresses or skirts with side slits are inappropriate because they are distracting to the audience. "Flip-flops" are also inappropriate.)
For boys, a black suit, white shirt, black bow tie, black socks, and black shoes. (White sox and athletic shoes are not appropriate.) No jewelry.

Concert dress for the String Sinfonia is modified black. That means:

For girls, a white blouse, long black skirt or knee-length black skirt with black tights, and black shoes. (Dresses or skirts with side slits are inappropriate because they are distracting to the audience. "Flip-flops" are also inappropriate.)
For boys, a white dress shirt, black bow tie, black slacks, black shoes, and black socks. (White socks and athletic shoes are not appropriate.)

We strongly recommend against purchasing formal wear. It is costly and most young people will grow out of it before it has been used enough to justify the expense. Instead, scoot on down to a used clothing outlet (Deseret Industries, etc.) and pick up something clean, tasteful and cheap. Check with former Youth Symphony members that you may know or with your private teacher. They might know someone who has outgrown the perfect outfit for you!

Seating

One of the most difficult things to achieve in a youth orchestra is balance. How do you balance the more advanced players with the less experienced ones? How do you convince someone that last chair is just as important as first when it comes to playing the music properly? How do you handle tender feelings of players (and stage moms)? It is a very difficult task, and it is one that is not taken lightly. All of us in the Youth Symphony Administration have full faith and confidence in the ability of the directors to seat you where you belong for the good of the group. If you are not sitting where you feel you should be, rest assured, you are in good company! All of us who work with you have had the experience of sitting last chair in some very fine orchestras. We have come to learn, as everyone must, that the joy of playing in the Utah Valley Youth Symphony is not in where we sit, but in how well we play the music. Our mission is to lift and inspire mankind with beautiful music. To do so, we must set aside our egos, and just play the best we can! Carry on!

Attendance Policy

Exact rehearsal times for each orchestra will be determined by the conductor and announced in the acceptance letter. Regular attendance is essential if we are to learn all the music that we must. We therefore must ask you to hold our rehearsal time inviolate. Arrive early. Plan to remain for each entire rehearsal. 90% attendance at rehearsals is required for membership. All dress rehearsals and concerts are required. To be excused, an absence must be approved by Mr. Beck (Youth Symphony and Phil) or Miss Jimenez (Sinfonia) at least one week in advance. Emergencies will be handled on a case-by-case basis. Unexcused absences and/or tardies constitute grounds for reseating or dismissal from the group. Members dismissed for attendance or tardy issues are not eligible for any tuition refund.

Practice and Private Teachers

It is the responsibility of each student to practice on their own until the music has been mastered. Students will be asked to demonstrate this individual mastery in regular sectional rehearsals. Since the Youth Symphonies meet only once a week, it is unrealistic to expect that we will be able to achieve the high level of success we each expect without individual practice. We strongly recommend the help of a private teacher in developing necessary technique. If you do not have a private teacher, we can help you find one.

The Chicken or the Egg

The Utah Valley Youth Symphony Organization has a rule that requires all students to be enrolled in their school instrumental music programs in order to participate in any of our Orchestras. Part of our purpose is to enhance and supplement school instrumental programs, and it would be counter-productive for us to do otherwise. Most music educators realize that having their students in the Youth Symphony actually strengthens the school music program. Without the continued support of the fine music educators in the schools, we would quickly and surely cease to exist; and we insist, therefore, upon enforcing the "school participation rule."

Etiquette

We love to play concerts! We love our audiences! Usually our audience is "less formal" than it would be if we were a professional orchestra. Our audience is our family and our friends, and that's what we like! We want the ones we love to hear us perform, and we want to inspire them with good music.

Here are a few audience guidelines that will help us play the best we can:

Bring the whole family to the concert if they are old enough to appreciate it. We want everyone to enjoy our performance no matter how young or old. If toddlers are squirmy or noisy, please sit close to an exit so they can be nurtured without disturbing others who want to hear the performance.
Cameras are welcome! These precious moments should be captured on film. However, we strongly request no flash photos during performances. We will offer a photo opportunity for each group during the concert so that parents and friends can move around and get a good picture. Camcorders cause a special problem because of copyright restrictions, so we kindly request that they not be used.
Our final concert will be professionally recorded so we request that recording devices be left at home. Every performing member will be given access to download a copy of the recording from this website.

Other Details

We'd like to hear from you about literature that you would like to perform. Everyone has in their heart of hearts a special piece that they would love to perform someday. We're not making any promises here because sometimes pieces require more resources than we can muster (Beethoven's Ninth Symphony comes to mind). But perhaps you have a favorite fantasy piece. Why not share it with us? Send your ideas to the Great Bearded One by clicking here.