YOUTH ORCHESTRAS
The Youth Orchestra programs give serious young musicians a chance to prepare orchestral selections and perform them at a high standard under the guidance of prominent teachers. Over 100 players are divided into three orchestras. All have one thing in common, they are all enjoying developing their abilities through private instruction and daily individual practice. Tuition fee is $250 for the year (from September to June.)
Rehearsals are at Mooredale House: 146 Crescent Rd. (Rosedale Subway Station)
Concerts are at Rosedale Heights School: 711 Bloor Street East (Castle Frank Subway Station)
Sundays at Rosedale Heights School, 3:00 - 4:30pm
December 13, March 28, and June 13
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The Junior Orchestra offers young string players their first chance to play together in a real orchestra. It complements private lessons and nurtures elementary musical skills. Suzuki books 2, 3. Rehearsals are Saturdays 12:00 - 1:15 PM. Three concerts a year.
Concentrating on the Baroque masters such as Vivaldi, Corelli, and early Mozart, this exiting intermediate group is challenging and fun. Young instrumentalists need the equivalent of Suzuki book 4, 5, 6. Rehearsals are Saturdays 11:30 - 1:15 PM. Three concerts a year.
This advanced group works intensely under the leadership of professionals and performs difficult symphonies by composers such as Haydn, Mozart and Schubert. To qualify, players must be grade 8 RCM level or more advanced. A friendly, non-competitive atmosphere prevails. Rehearsals are Saturdays 2 - 4:30 PM. Three concerts a year.
Intermediate Orchestra:
10 to 15 years.
Clare Carberry
Conductor
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'The Moordale Youth Orchestra gave a spirited performance of Mozart's symphony in G minor. The first movement burst on the ear with a zestful momentum, the Trio of the Menuetto revealed a well-knit wind choir, and the final total effect was one of competent bravura!' |
Mooredale Youth Orchestra Concerts are truly a family event. Usually over 500 people come out to enjoy an hour and a half of music played wonderfully well by youngsters who are extraordinarily accomplished. At intermission there is animated chatting over coffee, children treating themselves to fruit drinks & doughnuts, and general amicable socializing.
Lots and lots of young children (not quite old enough to be in the orchestras), grandparents as well as aunts and uncles make the concert lobby noisy with laughter and good cheer, and the young performers prepare to go on stage with excited anticipation. At the end of the concert there is enthusiastic applause, congratulations and general festivity. We all leave with a big smile on our faces, and look forward to experiencing more music in the coming months.
These concerts are not only for relatives, but are a source of pleasure and inspiration to members of the community at large. Do come out and share the fun.
Mooredale Music - A Parent's View
by Harriet Eisenkraft
There are many places that Toronto teenagers might hang out on Saturday afternoons, so every week I feel grateful that mine have chosen the rehearsal hall of a downtown church. It is there, and at a nearby community centre, that my adolescent daughter and her pre-teen brother join 120 other young musicians who play for the three Mooredale Youth Orchestras.
I knew something was unusual about this group when my daughter expressed disappointment last December that there would be no rehearsals during the Christmas break and, no, she's not a child prodigy who is driven to practice for many hours a day. She's a fairly normal kid who loves music, all kinds of music, and who is finding a niche among the people at those Saturday sessions.
Most Saturdays during the school year these halls are alive with the sounds of laughter as well as violins, violas and cellos being tuned up and played by young people whose families come from all over the city and nearby suburbs. They practice under the expert guidance of their conductors, all professional musicians with their own successful musical careers. There's always a break time when the kids may discover that they have more than music in common with each other: they chat, eat or play ball outside (that's one of the parts my son likes best!) Then three times per year, they participate in concerts attended by hundreds of people who buy tickets to hear them play classical music. Families pay a very reasonable fee for all this with bursaries available for those who cannot afford it.
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RAVE REVIEWS
FOR INFORMATION & TICKETS
By Phone:
(416) 587-9411
By Mail:
Mooredale House
146 Crescent Rd
Toronto ON M4W 1V2
