Keeping Tempo Volume 4, Number 1, August 2012
YOBC Introduces Ripieno—New String Ensemble
Inside this issue: Mark O’Connor’s Summer Strings Program
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Dear YOBC Community
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New Performance Opportunities for YOBC Ensembles
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Summer with Philadel- 4 phia International Music Festival YOBC Graduate Greg Chen Attends National Orchestra Festival
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Student Spotlight: Alan Wu
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Executive Director’s 5 Corner: Stepping Out of August YOBC’s 2012 International Tour to Mediterranean France & Spain
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YOBC to Launch New Initiative—Students In Concert—in Bristol
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This fall, YOBC is introducing another new string ensemble — Ripieno Strings. As our programs and ensembles continue to grow in popularity — and size — it became apparent that a new group was needed. Concertino and Philharmonia, both originally conceived as chamber string ensembles had each grown to 50 or more members. YOBC’s artistic staff met to discuss the situation and decided to create Ripieno as a new, intermediate step between Concertino and Philharmonia.
Important Dates:
September 8: Orientations and Curtain-Raiser
September 9: Fall rehearsals begin
September 23: Parents’ meetings
November 17: Fall concerts
November 19: B&N Book Fair
Chris Horner will conduct the new Ripieno Strings ensemble
The new Intermediate Division ensemble will have 30 members in its inaugural season. The smaller ensemble will better address the technical and musical needs of the advancing string student, and will place students in groups that better match their skill level. The small group will also allow for better feedback and individual attention to students. Members of Ripieno will have a number of sectionals throughout the year which will provide an opportunity for additional instruction. Ripieno will be conducted by Chris Horner who also conducts the orchestras and jazz ensembles at Germantown Academy and the Wissahickon High School Symphonic Orchestra. Mr. Horner has a BA in bass performance and an MA in teaching from University of the Arts. In addition to teaching and conducting,
he is an active double bass player in the Philadelphia area. There are a number of pieces ready to download and practice for the first rehearsal. Mr. Horner says, “Some will find some of the music to be on the easy side, and some will find some of the music to be kind of challenging, but everyone will encounter opportunities to reach for artistic goals in his or her playing.” His goal for the group is to “make beautiful music that will have a positive influence both in our own lives and in the lives of our audiences.” Finally, what does “Ripieno” mean? It refers to the full orchestra, “filling in” after the instrumental soloists play.