Youth & Education
Civic Programs
Saturday
Family Symphony
Music in
the Schools
Welcome to the Traverse Symphony Orchestra's Civic Programs! New for 2008-2009, Civic offers student and amateur
musicians an opportunity to nurture individual growth through music. The programs provide a unique opportunity
for members of the Grand Traverse community to work with great teachers, incredible musicians and others who share
the same excitement of making music together.
From the full Civic Orchestra to Chamber Strings, Prelude Strings and Chamber Ensembles, Civic has a place for you!
Open to musicians of all ages, Civic challenges members with an emphasis on artistic development, team building and
enjoyable music. Each ensemble offers a different experience so that you can join one or a few!
Furthering the TSO's commitment to education and the community, Civic members also receive special access to the TSO.
Members can request free tickets to TSO concerts, go behind the scenes at a rehearsal and participate in master classes
with guest artists throughout the year.
Come, enjoy and experience everything Civic has to offer...great music, great people and a place for every musician to shine.
Civic Orchestra
Directed by Thomas Riccobono
Civic Orchestra, a full orchestra including strings, winds and percussion, offers advanced instrumentalists the opportunity
to perform challenging music under the guidance of a professional coaching staff, including members of the Traverse
Symphony Orchestra.
Civic Chamber Strings
Directed by Lynne Tobin
Open to instrumentalists of vioin, viola, cello and bass, members must possess solid technical and music reading skills.
Typical members will have studied a minimum of three years, have a private instructor and participate in performances at school,
church or other community ensembles.
Civic Prelude Strings
Directed by Lynne Tobin
Prelude Strings members should have at least one year of instruction and have been introduced to note-reading prior to joining.
This ensemble may also be a great entry point for adult beginners or those who have been away from their instruments for a number of years.
Civic Chamber Ensembles
Chamber ensembles are small groups, such as string quartets and jazz combos, that rehearse weekly under the guidance of a coach.
Numerous recitals will be held throughout the year, in addition to performances within the community. Rehearsal schedules will be
determined as ensembles form.
Audition Information
Auditions will be held September 9 and 10 for the Fall Semester and January 6 and 7 for the Winter Semester. Returning members do
not need to audition unless you would like to move to a different ensemble or if you would like a leadership position. To schedule
an audition, call the TSO office at 231-947-7120 or email info@tso-online.org.
Tuition and Scholarships
Civic Orchestra, Chamber Strings & Prelude Strings $100/semester
Civic Chamber Ensembles $125/semester
Tuition fees cover facility rental, purchasing music, professional coaching and other Civic-related costs.
Scholarships are available to any student who applies and demonstrates a financial need.
For children ages 4 to 9 and their families, the Saturday Family Symphony is a series of
concerts, each featuring specific components of orchestral music. Pre-concert
activities, organized with partner organizations, such as the Great
Lakes Children's Museum and Kindermusik, include opportunities for children to
further explore the music.
Music in the Schools
The TSOs Music in the Schools (MitS) program, which provides
master classes and performances in area schools, has three goals:
- To enhance understanding of targeted curricular subjects by
offering alternative teaching approaches through music and the
arts.
- To augment existing school music education programs by
allowing students to interact one-on-one with TSO players or guest
artists through workshops and clinics.
- To provide students who might not otherwise have the
opportunity with a chance to experience live classical music
performed by professional musicians.
TSO works with
educators to customize a program to fit the needs of the school. The
typical result includes an informance, masterclass or combination
lasting 40 minutes. Programs are educational, interactive and
informal, allowing students to experience live symphonic music and
musicians up close and personal. During the past nine years, the TSO
has presented programs in more than 80 schools - at no cost to
students or educators. Funded entirely though grants and private
support, the MitS program is offered for nominal or no charge to
area schools.
For more information please contact Zac Moore
at (231) 947-7120 or zmoore@tso-online.org
