Upcoming Event: Open auditions for Detroit Metropolitan Youth Symphony 8/24/13 in Farmington Hills MI

(Courtesy of the Observer & Eccentric)

Young musicians – from first-graders just beginning to play through the more-experienced high schoolers – are invited to try out for the 2013-14 season of the Detroit Metropolitan Youth Symphony, billed as one of the premier youth orchestras in Michigan.



Open auditions will be held Aug. 24 at Orchard United Methodist Church in Farmington Hills, where students will meet with a conductor from the Detroit MYS’ four orchestras and play their instrument. The audition fee is $30.

Practices are Saturday mornings, September through May. Most are held at NFHS. The 2013-14 season offers public performances at Clarkston High School, Ford Community and Performing Arts Center and Macomb Center for the Performing Arts.

Detroit MYS, a nonprofit, volunteer-run organization, is in its 32nd year.

Judy Darby, who handles auditions and was formerly in charge of promotion and recruitment, said Detroit MYS draws students from throughout the metropolitan area. Some 250 young musicians make up the four orchestras, which include Junior String, String, Concert and Symphony. Darby’s daughter, Rebecca, is beginning her third season with the orchestra as a clarinetist.

Darby said Rebecca heard about MYS from a former member who has since moved on to college. “We checked it out and, fortunately, she got in,” Darby said. “And what really attracted me was how very well-run it is. I was just so impressed – it’s very professional.”

The organization, she explained, is to supplement rather than replace orchestras or bands students are involved with at school. “The whole idea is love of music. If a student wants to play music that might be more challenging, look our way,” Darby said.

Detroit MYS conductors are John Robertson, Geoffrey Benes, Victoria Halton and Kathleen Grimes. Each makes students feel “very comfortable and are very friendly,” so youngsters needn’t be intimidated or afraid of auditioning, Darby added.

Students accepted for MYS pay tuition ranging from $230 to $280.

Audition packets and more information are available at www.detroitmys.org . Darby also welcomes calls at (248) 684-6058.


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Reference Link: http://www.hometownlife.com/article/20130815/NEWS13/308150082/Open-auditions-Detroit-Metropolitan-Youth-Symphony-Aug-24-Farmington-Hills