Program Descriptions
The Colorado Springs Youth Symphony is a premier full orchestra and the flagship ensemble of the CSYSA. Comprised of many of the top high school age instrumental musicians in the region and state, members enjoy performing a rich mix of standard orchestral literature, newly commissioned works, jazz and pop. The group performs at the college level, preparing musicians for the next step in their musical development. Members are selected through annual auditions which require candidates to perform major and minor scales, required orchestral excerpts, a solo excerpt of choice, plus sight reading. The Youth Symphony begins the season with a 3 day music camp, followed by weekly rehearsals, coaching by local professional musicians, and 4 to 6 concerts each year. Musicians may also participate in a solo competition, chamber ensembles, and a Baroque Ensemble. The orchestra aspires to inspire others by engaging in yearly tours around the city, state, region, and the world. Through performances in Carnegie Hall, the Sydney Opera House, the Mozarteum in Salzburg, the Shanghai Oriental Arts Center, and the Minato Mirai Hall in Tokyo, the orchestra has earned an international reputation.
The Ovation Youth Orchestra is for intermediate-level musicians and provides their first full orchestra experience. The season begins with a three-day mountain camp focused on music and team building. Musicians develop their musical and leadership skills through weekly rehearsals, including sectionals with professional coaches, and perform in three to four community concerts each year. They also take part in a two- to three-day national tour and perform in major concerts like the Holiday Pops and Spring Spectacular at the Pikes Peak Center.
The Pikes Peak Winds is the premier Wind Ensemble in the CSYSA family. The group performs at least four annual concerts of challenging repertoire, from band classics and transcriptions to music of our newest and brightest composers, and is known for presenting varied and exciting performances. While there is no age or grade requirement, members are typically in 8th through 12th grade; middle school members are exceptional musicians for their age and often at the top of their sections in the Pikes Peak Middle School Honor Band. High School members are pacesetters or up and coming leaders in their school programs and often make local and state honor groups. Members need to have the ability to focus for intense yet fun two-hour rehearsals, retain information from week-to-week, practice regularly, and be positive and productive.
Bravo Winds is an intermediate concert band designed for young musicians who are ready for a meaningful ensemble experience beyond the beginning level. The group includes advanced elementary students, junior high students, and a few high school students, creating a supportive environment where developing players can strengthen their fundamentals, build confidence, and grow as independent musicians. Bravo Winds focuses on tone quality, rhythm, technique, listening skills, and musical expression through traditional concert band literature. Students in this ensemble are challenged in an encouraging setting that prepares them for continued growth within CSYSA.
The Vivace String Orchestra was formed in 2001 as a strings-only orchestra for intermediate players. The group meets weekly during the school year and participates in three or four concerts, including our Holiday Pops Concert at the Pikes Peak Center, a professional-level venue that is an exceptional playing experience for these young musicians. The season starts in August with a two-day camp near Colorado Springs. The camp is designed as a social as well as a musical introduction to the organization. Vivace also participates in an outreach program touring local schools and promoting string education.
The Allegro String Orchestra is for string players with several years’ experience. For some of the musicians in the group, they experience their first performance in a professional venue--the Pikes Peak Center--at our Holiday Pops concert. The season starts in August with a two-day camp near Colorado Springs--a wonderful and beneficial experience musically and socially. The students learn to perform in a group and to take directions in weekly rehearsals, at three to four concerts, and during a local one-day tour.
The Amadeus String Orchestra is for string players with several years’ experience. For many of the musicians in the group, they experience their first performance in a professional venue--the Pikes Peak Center--at our Holiday Pops concert. The season starts in August with a two-day camp near Colorado Springs--a wonderful and beneficial experience musically and socially. The students learn to perform in a group and to take directions in weekly rehearsals, at three to four concerts, and during a local one-day tour.
The Wolfgang String Orchestra is, for most students, their first big chance to play in a standard orchestra setting with a conductor. Repertoire consists of grade 0.5 to 2 string orchestra pieces, with an emphasis on reading your own part, following a conductor, and playing with increased musicality. Students should gain familiarity with all four strings on their instruments, and be able to read their sheet music at a near-fluent level. The season consists of several "informances" at the Youth Symphony building, with emphasis on demonstrating learned concepts and techniques, as well as one final performance that mirrors a standard classical concert. The goal for Wolfgang strings is for students to leave prepared for Amadeus and beyond, having technical proficiency over their note reading, focus, and listening skills.
Ascent Big Band is CSYSA’s nationally recognized advanced jazz ensemble. This traditional big band features saxophones, trumpets, trombones, rhythm section, and occasional vocalists, with a continued focus on jazz improvisation, ensemble precision, style, and musical expression. Students perform a wide variety of jazz literature while developing the artistry, confidence, and versatility expected of advanced young jazz musicians. Ascent Big Band performs several times throughout the season, including appearances in professional halls and local jazz clubs.
Pinnacle Big Band gives young musicians the opportunity to experience the energy and style of a traditional jazz big band. Pinnacle Big Band is an ensemble comprised of saxophones, trumpets, trombones, drumset, bass, guitar, and piano for students with multiple year's experience. Students develop ensemble skills, jazz style, improvisation, and musical confidence while performing a wide variety of jazz styles. Pinnacle Big Band performs a few times throughout the season, including appearances in professional halls and local jazz clubs.