Youth at the Symphony

The Eureka Symphony is committed to bringing young people to the wonders of orchestral music, and to supporting youth performers as they develop their craft. Our current projects include:

Sponsoring an annual Youth Concert featuring young soloists who are selected through a performance competition.

Providing opportunities for youth to attend orchestra performances.

Supporting outreach efforts by orchestra members to local schools and younger musicians.

Communicating regularly and effectively with local music teachers and the wider music community about opportunities for youth.

Outreach

Free Youth Admission!

Did you know that children under 12 are admitted to all Symphony concerts for free, as part of our ongoing outreach to youth? Expose your kids to the fascination, complexity, and the passion of classical music! We also offer a discounted admission price of $9 for youth 12-18 and current college students for balcony seating.

First School to Symphony Concert

The February 5th, 2001 School to Symphony Concert was a tremendous success, with 700 students in the audience! You can make a special contribution towards future school programming by designating your gift for youth.

Auditions for the Annual Youth Concert

Download the 2011 application form

The open application period for 2011 closes October 31st.

Each year, three Humboldt County youth perform with the Symphony as part of our Youth Concert. Any Humboldt county resident 18 years or younger (at the time of the audition) is eligible to apply. Prior winners and applicants are welcome to audition again in a new year.

The filing deadline is annually in October. Please plan to submit your application as early as possible during the open application period, so that the symphony manager can confirm that orchestra music is currently available for your chosen composition.

Auditions are held the first Monday after Thanksgiving (November 28, 2011), and will be adjudicated privately by a judging panel that includes Symphony Conductor Carol Jacobson. Qualified applicants will be notified of their scheduled audition time.

Three winners will be selected and shall be featured as soloists with the Symphony for the Youth Concerts. Winners must be available for orchestra rehearsals and performances (rehearsals are typically on Tuesday evenings with additional dress during concert week). There is a cash award for each winner, and participants are recognized in the concert program and media.

Applicants must audition with the composition that they intend to perform. Appropriate selections shall be a single movement from a concerto or solo piece with orchestral accompaniment. Sonatas and etudes are not acceptable for this competition. Difficulty of composition is not a criterion for selection. If you have any questions regarding the appropriateness of your piece, please contact Jeanne Scranton at 725-7990 or by email. Please note: memorization is required for both the audition and performance.

It is also required that applicants provide their own accompanists for the auditions. A piano or pianos will be provided. If an applicant cannot provide their own accompanist, the Eureka Symphony may be able to supply the names of qualified accompanists - again, please contact Jeanne Scranton with questions. Soloists and their accompanist must arrive 15 minutes prior to their scheduled audition time. Applicants must supply 4 copies of their composition at their audition for use by the judges.

For efficiency, the judges may request that the applicant stop, repeat, or skip passages. The decisions of the Conductor and judging panel shall be final.

Past Youth Concert Performers

2011: Angela Petricca (flute), Mira Weidman (voice), Kira Weiss (piano)

2010: Steven Dewey (clarinet), Christopher Ives (violin), Nicholas Navarro Pietromonaco (piano)

2009 Rachael Fales (voice), Signe Nicklas (piano), Jean Sack (piano)

2008: Otis Harriel (violin), Clara Lisle (voice), Kira Weiss (cello)

2007: Travis Kane (oboe), Sarah Oliver (flute), Marie Van Luven (viola)

2006: Ross MacEvoy McCullough (violin), Chelsea Morden (violin), Fiona Ryder (voice)

2005: Antonya Forsyth (violin), Gabriel Henriques (voice), Tyler Ives (cello)

2011 Youth Concert

Listen to interview clips with our 2011 performers! Angela Petricca, Mira Weidman and Kira Weiss!

Angela Petricca is the daughter of flautist Jill Petricca (principal with the Eureka Symphony), and began playing flute at the age of four, when her mother had to help her fingers to reach the keys! She is a regular participant in the Sequoia Chamber Music Festival, and is entering NPA in fall 2011.

Kira Weiss is a multi-instrumentalist in piano and cello (and voice), and plays as a regular member of the Eureka Symphony. She studies with Symphony Conductor & Music Director Carol Jacobson, and is a member of the ArMack Orchestra.

Mira Weidman is studying to become a "triple threat" in Broadway parlance - in voice, acting and dance. She is also an artist (in which she is currently mentored by Joyce Jonte), a student at NPA, and a regular featured performer with the Humboldt Light Opera Company.