New York Youth Symphony Launches Fellowship Program

New York Youth Symphony (NYYS), under the guidance of a new three-year strategic plan, is launching a new fellowship program to identify, train, and mentor students from underrepresented communities who wish to prepare for and attend college. Students in their sophomore and junior years of high school accepted into the NYYS orchestra, chamber music, jazz, conducting, and composition programs are eligible to apply for the fellowships which will last one or two years. Awarded fellows will participate in the NYYS program of their choice, including performances, rehearsals, sectionals, master classes and workshops, and receive a $5,000 stipend to offset costs of NYYS fees, private lessons, travel, and instrument maintenance.

Vargas-Vetter/Ukena Fellows will be paired with a mentor who will guide them throughout their fellowship and work together to create a personalized roadmap to college.Applications are now being accepted for the NYYS programs via the website here. Auditions are open to students aged 12 through 22, for the Orchestra, Jazz, Chamber Music, Composition, and Apprentice Conducting programs. The organization anticipates 500 student applicants and plans to accept more than 200 students.

Audition Dates for the 2017/2018 season are:Orchestra:

August 19 - 20, August 28 - September 4, 2017
Jazz: September 17 - 18, 2017
Chamber: September 5 - 17, 2017
Composition: September 14 - 15, 2017

Apprentice Conducting: September 12, 2017 The 2017/18 season will include the Orchestra performing repertoire by Rachmaninoff and Dvo?ák, plus Mussorgsky/Ravel's Pictures at an Exhibition at Carnegie Hall under NYYS Music Director Michael Repper. Chamber Music students will learn from masters in the field, including director Dr. Lisa Tipton and perform at Tenri Cultural Center, Symphony Space and Weill Recital Hall at Carnegie Hall.

The Jazz program will perform at Jazz at Lincoln Center and The Times Center under director Andy Clausen with Grammy-award-winning saxophonist Ted Nash, vocalist Vuyo Sotashe, and multi-Grammy-award-winning composer, Maria Schneider. The Composition program under director Dr. Kyle Blaha will offers workshops and seminars with renowned composers, including David Adamcyk, Michael Gordon, Paola Prestini, and more. Students will explore the world of conducting under the guidance of new Music Director Michael Repper with a year-end performance at Symphony Space. For more event information visit nyys.org/events. About the NYYS:

The New York Youth Symphony is internationally recognized for its award-winning and innovative educational programs for talented young musicians. Founded in 1963 as an orchestra to showcase the metropolitan area's most gifted musicians, ages 12-22, its programs have since grown to include Chamber Music groups, Jazz, Composition, Apprentice Conducting, and the First Music commissioning program.