Peconic Youth Orchestra

Peconic Youth Orchestra was founded in 1999 by Michael Tortorice, who had the imagination and initiative to conceive of a string orchestra for his daughters and their musical friends to meet outside of the traditional school setting. He worked with founding music director, Andrea Perea, and the Southampton Cultural Center in order to create the PYO, a group which grew from a handful of students to two critically acclaimed groups comprised of more than 70 members. The PYO and Prelude Ensemble have performed to full enthusiastic houses for many years.

Peconic Youth Orchestra (PYO) is a symphonic ensemble comprised of students from all areas of Eastern Suffolk. In its nine year history, the group has performed (in the original composer’s scoring) such works as Gershwin’s Rhapsody in Blue, Tchaikovsky’s Nutcracker, Dvorak’s New World Symphony, Corelli’s Christmas Concerto, Prokofiev’s Peter and the Wolf, and Handel’s Messiah, as well as more contemporary works such as Williams’ Star Wars, and Hans Zimmer’s Pirates of the Caribbean. Students in this group are playing at NYSSMA Levels 4-6 and are directed by conductor Ken Vignona. An audition is required to join the group.

Prelude String Ensemble, conducted by Corrina Bollerman, is targeted towards younger musicians early in their orchestral development (NYSSMA Levels 1-3.) Students with basic sight reading abilities are welcome to take on the exciting challenges and rewards of playing in a string orchestra.

Rehearsals for PYO and Prelude Ensemble begin on September 17th, 2009 and will take place on Thursdays throughout the school calendar at Southampton Cultural Center.

Prelude rehearsals take place from 4:30 to 5:30
PYO rehearsals are from 6:00 to 7:30

Students must arrive 15 minutes prior to the start of each rehearsal to assemble and tune. It is essential that rehearsals begin on time with students ready to play.

Attendance and Practice: Members must attend all rehearsals with a maximum of three absences in order to participate in the final concert. Any additional absence will require a parent’s note to the conductor and the conductor’s approval to play in performance. Students are responsible for bringing their instruments (including mutes, extra strings, etc.), their music and a pencil. It is expected that students spend time at home on their music; an hour of practice per week is a general guideline.

PYO New Member must audition. An audition can be arranged through the Cultural Center. Players must be in the sixth grade and playing NYSSMA Level 4 and above. Prelude players do not need to audition but are expected to have basic music reading skills. PYO repertoire last year included selections from: Grieg’s Holberg Suite, Britten’s Simple Symphony, Brahms’s Hungarian Dance No. 5 and Mozart’s Divertimento in D, among others works.

PYO Seating Auditions give the conductor the opportunity to observe each student’s progress and polish the balance of the group. These auditions are scheduled at the beginning of each season. The PYO and of Prelude Ensemble conductors will be responsible for the final determination of all seating assignments.

Tuition is $450.00 for the academic year. The first additional sibling is $250.00 and any additional sibling is $100.00 each. A monthly payment plan may be arranged through the Southampton Cultural Center. Students joining the orchestra during the academic year will pay a pro-rated tuition.

For any questions and to request a registration form, please contact Kirsten Lonnie, Southampton Cultural Center’s Executive Director office; 631-287-4377 or klonnie@southamptonculturalcenter.org

***Click here for the Registration Form (PDF)***

Schedule and Overview for the 2009/2010 Season:

Rehearsals:

September 17,24 October 1,8,15,22,29, November 5,12,19, December 3, 10, 17

January 7,14,21,28, February 4,11,25, March 4, 11,18,25, April 8,15,22,29, May 6,13,20,27, June 3,10

Concert Dates:
Sunday, December 20th at 4 PM - Annual Holiday Concert
Sunday, June 13 th at 4 PM - Annual Spring Concert
Other concert opportunities TBD

Click here for the Registration Form (PDF)