The Prelude Strings is the newest ensemble in the Phoenix Youth Symphony Orchestras Orchestral Training Program. 2018-2019 was the inaugural season for the ensemble. Eager string students, grades 1-8, will be auditioned for the new ensemble. The Prelude Strings ensemble rehearses weekly on Wednesday evenings, receiving additional string technique instruction and ensemble experience in a fun and inviting group setting. Professional musicians are brought in periodically to coach sectionals. Prelude Strings is a developmental ensemble for students to prepare them for musical advancement, giving them insight into the PYSO’s program.
1-8
$535
Wednesdays, Time TBD
Arizona School for the Arts
1410 N 3rd St, Phoenix, AZ 85004
Performs literature mainly at levels 1-3.
Please perform a total of 3:00 unaccompanied minutes of music from the solo work of your choice. Please keep in mind the Ensemble Music Level of Difficulty when selecting your piece. Please bring three copies of your notated music for the solo to your audition.
Please prepare to play one or two octaves with arpeggio D Major, G Major, C Major, F Major. On the day of auditions, you will be told onstage which Major to play.
Sight reading material will consist of one or two short selections, selected by the adjudicators. Don’t neglect practicing sight reading pieces you are unfamiliar with to help prepare for this part of the audition.
Best of luck in your preparation, always start slow and work with a metronome!!
View our stars in concert!
Music Memory is on Tuesday, February 4, 2025 at The Orpheum Theatre. This event an education concert for students in grades 1-5 from all over the valley. Visit our Music Memory section for more information.
The Teacher's Appreciation Concert will be on Sunday, February 23, 2025 at 3:30 PM at the Mesa Community College Performing Arts Center.
The PYSO Symphony Orchestra participates in a Side by Side Concert with the Phoenix Symphony Orchestra on Thursday, March 13, 2025 at 7:00 PM at the Phoenix Symphony Hall.
The PYSO Season Finale All-Ensembles Concert features all PYSO ensembles and will be on Sunday, April 27, 2025 (Times TBD). Located at the Orpheum Theatre Phoenix.
This performance is presented by The School of Ballet Arizona and the Phoenix Youth Symphony Orchestras on May 31 - June 1 at the Orpheum Theatre.
Maurine Fleming
Conductor, Prelude Strings
Maurine Fleming has served as the String Music Director for Phoenix Country Day School in Paradise Valley for the past 16 years. Throughout her time as an educator she has worked with students from elementary through 12th grade at a variety of schools including Pueblo Middle School, Aprende Middle School, and Broadmore Elementary. Alongside her teaching career she has performed as a substitute Cellist for the Phoenix Symphony and Arizona Opera. Throughout her career with the Cello she has performed with artists like George Burns, Ray Charles, Bob Hope, Johnny Mathis and Smokey Robinson. She holds degrees from Arizona State University and Mannes College of Music in New York City.