LRYO is comprised of eight groups: 

Symphony Orchestra	-	Ellen Sager, Conductor
Honors Strings	-	Ellen Sager, Conductor
Wind Ensemble	-	Glenn Giles, Conductor
Baroque Strings	-	Peter Miller, Conductor
Repertory Strings	-	James Sowards, Conductor (meets at Rutland Intermediate School)
Concert Band	-	Bear Irwin, Conductor
Philharmonic Orchestra	-	Peter Miller, Bear Irwin, Conductors
Select Choir	-	Sherrill Blodget, Conductor

All rehearsals are at Castleton Fine Arts Center unless otherwise noted.

Symphony Orchestra explores the exciting world of symphonic orchestra music and is comprised of the members of Honors Strings, Wind Ensemble and Baroque Strings. Conducted by Ellen Sager, this group rehearses two hours weekly and performs twice annually in full concert, in exchange concerts and in small chamber concerts.

Honors Strings is a select group demonstrating a high level of technical and musical development. The group performs challenging literature including standard classics from the string orchestra literature.

The Wind Ensemble includes students from the junior and senior high school level. This ensemble provides talented wind players from the area the chance to perform challenging literature for winds. This is a one-player-per-part ensemble.

Baroque Strings involved the violins, violas and celli in a two hour rehearsal. This ensemble prepares the student to perform string orchestra pieces for concert performance through the study of bowings, position work and orchestral traditions. Qualified Baroque strings members may be invited to join the Symphony Orchestra.

Repertory Strings initiates violin, viola, cello and bass players into the world of orchestral string playing. They learn how to follow a conductor, work together as a group and develop both musicianship and technique through the study of string orchestra literature. In addition to their weekly rehearsals, they perform as a featured ensemble in the winter and Spring LRYO concert. The maturity which is now evident in the symphony orchestra string section is very much the result of their previous experiences in the Repertory Strings.

The Concert Band is composed of Wind and Percussion Musicians who have one or more years of experience on their instruments. Musicians in this ensemble will have many opportunities to continue to develop their individual and ensemble musical skills by rehearsing and preparing literature of various historical periods and styles. Participation in this ensemble helps prepare individuals for later participation in the Wind Ensemble and Symphony Orchestra.

Philharmonic Orchestra combines members of the Baroque Strings and Concert Band to perform introductory full orchestra literature. Students learn appropriate style and technique to perform in the orchestral environment. The ensemble is conducted by Peter Miller, assisted by Bear Irwin.

Select Choir, new for 2011, is open by audition to high-school age vocalists (13 and up) and rehearses weekly. Directed by Dr. Sherrill Blodget, this ensemble offers talented singers the opportunity to perform orchestral/choral literature with the Honors Strings and Symphonic Orchestra, and to prepare and perform quality choral literature from a variety of eras and cultures, in multiple languages. Participants are expected to read well and work on their own between rehearsals as necessary. The choir expands LYRO's outreach to interested vocal musicians currently unserved by an after-school choral program, and will offer instrumentalists the opportunity to add vocal technique and repertoire to their already-established instrumental proficiency.

Making Beautiful Music Since 1990!

Last modified: 12/20/11

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