|
|
|
Youth Orchestra Division
 |
| Birmingham String Orchestra ... an entry level string orchestra for young string players. Members of the Birmingham String Orchestra (BSO) come from the MOP String Academy classes, Private Instruction Division, and from other string instrument instruction programs throughout the Greater Birmingham area. BSO includes youngsters from Birmingham City, Jefferson County, Shelby County, Mountain Brook, Hoover, Vestavia Hills and Homewood City Schools as well as many private schools and home schooled students. Everyone is welcome to come make music with us!
Each year the Birmingham String Orchestra performs two formal concerts with the Birmingham Prelude Strings. BSO also plays a series of concerts at schools in the area. All three MOP youth orchestras perform in the annual MOP Showcase Recital. For this very special MOP Showcase a small group of BSO students is selected to perform as the BSO Honors Ensemble. During the summer, many BSO students take advantage of the opportunity to participate in the MOP chamber music program, studying and performing in small group ensembles. Conductor for the Birmingham String Orchestra is Paul Merryman.
Birmingham Prelude Strings ... an intermediate level string orchestra for advancing string players. Birmingham Prelude Strings (BPS) has about 40 members some of whom have "moved up" from BSO, and others who are new to the MOP orchestras. BPS performs two formal concerts each year with the Birmingham String Orchestra. They also play a series of concerts at schools in the area. Along with BSO, they have performed at the Festival of Trees, Hoover Library, Brookwood Mall, Eastwood Mall, UAB, Birmingham Southern and Samford Universities. All three MOP youth orchestras perform in the annual MOP Showcase Recital. For this very special MOP Showcase one BPS student is selected to perform as a soloist with the Alabama Youth Symphony. During the summer BPS members are invited to study and perform in chamber music ensembles. Conductor for the Birmingam Prelude Strings is Rita Salzberg.
Alabama Youth Symphony .... is a full orchestra for advanced student musicians. The membership of the Alabama Youth Symphony (AYS) represents communities all across the North Central Alabama area. AYS has performed at the Alabama Shakespeare Festival, Brierfield Heritage Days, Festival of Trees, the Alabama Music Educators Conference, as well as other community events. AYS performs three formal concerts each season and also participates in the annual MOP Showcase Recital. For the MOP Showcase Recital one AYS member is selected to perform as soloist with the Alabama Youth Symphony. During the May concert, we recognize our graduating seniors in the annual Senior Farewell Ceremony. Our seniors are heading off to colleges and universities all over the country and it is a pleasure to recognize their achievements and accomplishments during the last AYS concert of the season. Music Director for the Alabama Youth Symphony is Dr. Jon Remley.
|
|
