We are pleased to announce that the Youth String Ensemble will be transformed into the Concert Orchestra in the 2022-2023 season! We are excited to offer more opportunities for woodwind, brass, and percussion players as well as enhance the experience of string players in the QCSYE.
The Concert Orchestra is primarily for string players with 3+ years playing experience and winds and percussion with 1+ years playing experience. The Concert Orchestra performs arrangements of great orchestral masterpieces as they develop full ensemble skills and individual playing techniques. The new ensemble generally rehearses on Sundays from 5:15- 7:00 PM and is led by Conductor Michele Ottesen and Wind Specialist, Anthony Hernandez.
With the creation of the Concert Orchestra, the QCSYE is bringing a Wind Specialist into the QCSYE artistic team. The Wind Specialist will work with Concert Orchestra and Youth Philharmonic Orchestra winds and percussion students each week at rehearsal, which will give more specialized instruction to both strings and winds/percussion members.
If you are interested in learning more about the Concert Orchestra and the audition requirements to join, please visit the QCSYE Audition Page. With three performances a season and the opportunity to play with other dedicated music students, this will be a great start to your orchestra journey!
About the Quad City Symphony Youth Ensembles
The Quad City Symphony Youth Ensembles (QCSYE) program consists of five performance groups (four youth orchestras and a youth choir) for students in grades two through twelve. Under the direction of the outstanding QCSYE conducting staff, members have the opportunity to perform great orchestral and choral repertoire with the most talented young musicians in the area and learn from the mentorship of professional musicians from throughout the region. Ensemble members come from the greater Quad Cities, as well as other communities in southeast Iowa and northwest Illinois.
