String Orchestra
PYSO String Orchestra accepts talented upper elementary through 9th grade students who show through audition they are ready for more advanced rehearsal and performance orchestral skills. Members learn to play with sensitivity and ensemble balance. Individual preparation of music is required. Professional musicians are brought in periodically to coach sectionals.
The PYSO String Orchestra was selected to perform at the 1996 and 2022 AMEA State Conventions and has performed at the Phoenix Country Day School, the Phoenix Zoo, the Chandler Center for the Arts, the Festival of Trees at the Glendale Civic Center and in Washington D.C. The String Orchestra toured and performed in Chicago in March, 2007.
Grades
Upper elementary through 9th grade
Ensemble Fee
$635
Rehearsals
Wednesday evenings, 6:30-8:30 pm
Central High School
4525 N Central Ave, Phoenix, AZ 85012
Conductor
Ensemble Music Level of Difficulty: Performs literature mainly at levels 3-5.
Audition Components
August 6, 2022 – 11:59 PM – Final Deadline for all solos, excerpts (Philharmonic / Symphony Orchestra only), scales and sight reading component (String Orchestra and Prelude Strings) to be uploaded to Dropbox by 11:59 PM.
Solo
Solo of your choice. The solo needs to be comparable to the middle of Suzuki Book 3 or higher. Please perform a total of 3:00 minutes of music from the work.
Scales and Sight Reading
Specific scale and sight reading requirements will be emailed and posted here on August 5 at 8 AM.
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!!
Questions?
If you are interested in String Orchestra and would like more information or have questions, please click the “Learn More!” button below to let us know you are interested and we will contact you soon.
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Bethaney Cross
Conductor, String Orchestra
Bethaney Cross received her Master of Music degree in Music Teaching and Learning from ASU in 2021 and her Bachelor of Arts degree in Viola Performance from Northern Arizona University in 2011. Mrs. Cross currently teaches in the Mesa Public School District at Mountain View High School where she is the Assistant Director of Orchestras and works with the Music Conservatory program. In 2018, she began conducting the String Orchestra with Phoenix Youth Symphony Orchestras. As a PYS alumni, she is excited to be back and working with the young musicians of the organization. In addition to teaching, Mrs. Cross currently serves as the Central Region Chairman through the Arizona Music Educators Association. In 2019, Mrs. Cross guest conducted the Greater Phoenix Union High School Honor Orchestras. During her time in the Scottsdale Unified School District, she served as lead strings specialist for junior high and elementary orchestras.
As a music educator, Mrs. Cross strives to develop a collaborative learning environment amongst her ensembles and build a community of friendship while learning how to deliver a polished performance.
Mrs. Cross is a native of Arizona and currently resides in Mesa with her husband and four children. When she isn’t teaching, you will find her and her family out camping and hiking.
Entrance Audition Application
Interested? Want to learn more about this ensemble?
If you are interested in String Orchestra and would like more information or have questions, please click the “Learn More!” button below to let us know you are interested and we will contact you soon.