The orchestra performs works from the orchestral repertoire as well as modern works by American composers. SSYO members participate in sectional rehearsals coached by members of the Syracuse Symphony Orchestra, the SSYO's parent organization. They also perform in a joint "Side-by-Side" concert with the SSO each March, and occasionally rehearse under the baton of SSO conductors. These talented young musicians continue a long tradition of musical and artistic excellence that is a hallmark of the Central New York community.
Mission
The purpose of the SSYO is to provide outstanding Central New York secondary school musicians in grades 9-12 with the opportunity to rehearse and perform orchestral literature in a highly professional environment.
Membership Benefits
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Performances of works from the symphonic repertoire with some of the finest young musicians in Central New York |
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Coaching sessions with Syracuse Symphony Orchestra musicians |
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Side-By-Side concerts with the Syracuse Symphony Orchestra |
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Weekly rehearsals with SSYO Conductor Kenneth Andrews, an award-winning college educator, professional orchestra music director and former Montreal Symphony flutist |
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Rehearsals and performances under guest conductors and with guest soloists |
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Performances of 20th century music and seminars with contemporary composers |
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Discounted tickets to Syracuse Symphony Orchestra Classics Series Concerts |
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Enjoyment of new friendships with other young musicians |
Join Us!
SSYO auditions for the 2008-2009 season will take place on the following dates:
Bass-Cello-Viola: Tuesday, May 20 and Wednesday, May 21
Brass-Woodwind: Thursday, May 29 and Friday, May 30
Percussion - By appointment; email jrauch@syracusesymphony.org
Violin: Tuesday, May 27 and Wednesday, May 28
There is an audition fee of $10. To reserve a Youth Orchestra audition for the 2007-2008 season, please click here. For further information, please contact the SSO Education Department at (315) 424-8222, ext. 272.
Kenneth Andrews, SSYO Conductor
Music Director and Conductor of the Syracuse Symphony Youth Orchestra since 2000, Kenneth Andrews brings a wealth of experience as a conductor and performer to the SSYO. Mr. Andrews is currently Music Director and conductor of the Orchestra of Northern New York and has guest conducted or been music director for several other orchestras and festivals. He has served as Director of Orchestras at Ohio University and for the Crane Chamber Orchestra. He is a frequent guest conductor for youth and all-state orchestras throughout the U.S. and Canada.
As a flutist, Mr. Andrews performed as Associate Principal Flute with the Montreal Symphony Orchestra, and has played under noted conductors Zubin Mehta, Leonard Slatkin, Jean Martinon, Charles Dutoit and Franz Paul Decker. In addition to his orchestral career, Mr. Andrews has also performed as a recitalist, orchestral soloist, and chamber musician throughout the United States, Canada, and Europe, and has been featured on public radio and television. He has performed and conducted at the Canna International Chamber Music Festival in Italy.
Since the fall of 1986, Mr. Andrews has been on the faculty of the Crane School of Music at the State University of New York at Potsdam, where he teaches flute, coaches chamber music, and is Music Director of the Contemporary Music Ensemble. He also performs with the Potsdam Woodwind Quintet. Awards he has received include the President's Award for Excellence in Research and Creative Endeavors, the SUNY Chancellor's Award for Excellence in Teaching, and the New York State United University Professors Excellence Award for Outstanding Professional Performance and Community Service.
Mr. Andrews received his Bachelor and Master of Music degrees from Indiana University, where he studied with noted flutist James Pellerite and received the Performer's Certificate. He has also done further studies in conducting with Dr. Karl Ahrendt.
Music Director and Conductor of the Syracuse Symphony Youth Orchestra since 2000, Kenneth Andrews brings a wealth of experience as a conductor and performer to the SSYO. Mr. Andrews is currently Music Director and conductor of the Orchestra of Northern New York and has guest conducted or been music director for several other orchestras and festivals. He has served as Director of Orchestras at Ohio University and for the Crane Chamber Orchestra. He is a frequent guest conductor for youth and all-state orchestras throughout the U.S. and Canada.
As a flutist, Mr. Andrews performed as Associate Principal Flute with the Montreal Symphony Orchestra, and has played under noted conductors Zubin Mehta, Leonard Slatkin, Jean Martinon, Charles Dutoit and Franz Paul Decker. In addition to his orchestral career, Mr. Andrews has also performed as a recitalist, orchestral soloist, and chamber musician throughout the United States, Canada, and Europe, and has been featured on public radio and television. He has performed and conducted at the Canna International Chamber Music Festival in Italy.
Since the fall of 1986, Mr. Andrews has been on the faculty of the Crane School of Music at the State University of New York at Potsdam, where he teaches flute, coaches chamber music, and is Music Director of the Contemporary Music Ensemble. He also performs with the Potsdam Woodwind Quintet. Awards he has received include the President's Award for Excellence in Research and Creative Endeavors, the SUNY Chancellor's Award for Excellence in Teaching, and the New York State United University Professors Excellence Award for Outstanding Professional Performance and Community Service.
Mr. Andrews received his Bachelor and Master of Music degrees from Indiana University, where he studied with noted flutist James Pellerite and received the Performer's Certificate. He has also done further studies in conducting with Dr. Karl Ahrendt.
Contact Us
For more information about the Syracuse Symphony Youth Orchestra, please contact SSO Education Associate Jocelyn Rauch at jrauch@syracusesymphony.org.
Syracuse Symphony Youth String Orchestra (SSYSO)
Founded in 1995, the Syracuse Symphony Youth String Orchestra provides an opportunity for area string players to gain experience in orchestral playing and explore the string orchestra literature. The musicians are selected through an audition process held in June, and rehearse on Sunday afternoons from September to November and March to May.
In 2001, due to the large number of very talented students within the SSYSO, a Chamber Ensemble was formed to provide a more challenging performance opportunity for these outstanding young musicians.
Mission
The purpose of the Syracuse Symphony Youth String Orchestra is to provide outstanding Central New York string players with the opportunity to rehearse and perform string orchestra repertoire and enhance their ensemble skills.
Auditions
SSYSO auditions will be held on the following dates:
Bass-Cello-Viola: Friday, June 6 and Saturday, June 7
Violin: Saturday, June 7 and Sunday, June 8
There is an audition fee of $10. To reserve a Youth Orchestra audition for the 2007-2008 season, please click here. For further information, please contact the SSO Education Department at (315) 424-8222, ext. 272.
Muriel Bodley, SSYSO Conductor
Muriel Bodley has been the conductor of the Syracuse Symphony Youth String Orchestra since its founding in 1995. She also leads the Syracuse Symphony Youth String Chamber Orchestra, founded in 2001, which was invited to perform in March 2003 at Ohio State University during the National Conference of the American String Teachers Association and National School Orchestra Association.
Ms. Bodley earned both the Bachelor and Master of Music degrees from the Crane School of Music. Co-founder and past director of the Suzuki School of Syracuse, she teaches "Suzuki Techniques in the Public Schools" during Ithaca College's summer sessions. She is an active All-County and festival clinician and conductor and is currently co-director of the American String Teachers Association with the National School Orchestra Association String Conference at SUNY Fredonia.
In 1995, Ms. Bodley was awarded the Syracuse Symphony Orchestra's String Educator of the Year Award. She is also a recipient of the National School Orchestra Association's National School Orchestra Director of the Year Award, and in 1998 she received the Helen Hosmer Excellence in Teaching Award. She has also earned national recognition for her outstanding efforts in advancing public school string education.
Ms. Bodley currently serves as President of the New York State American String Teachers Association-National School Orchestra Association.
Contact Us
For more information about the Syracuse Symphony Youth Orchestra, please contact SSO Education Associate Jocelyn Rauch at jrauch@syracusesymphony.org.