Children that participate as Caroling Kids in the fall become Twinkling Stars in the spring. Emphasis is placed on learning traditional songs, including American and multi-cultural folk songs and popular classics, and some new compositions as well. Several performances occur at the end of the semester and usually include singing at the malls and retirement homes.
The SJYS Percussion Ensemble offers an opportunity for percussionists to perform percussion ensemble music from the 20th and 21st centuries, and performs regularly each season. Members are encouraged to play many different percussion instruments including timpani, snare drum, bass drum, accessory instruments, xylophone, marimba, and ethnic percussion. Students are taught valuable chamber music skills and instructed on performing techniques, proper set-up of multiple percussion parts, playing advanced rhythms and taking care of instruments.
The Concert Wind Ensemble is designed to develop the overall ability of the young woodwind and brass musicians. Students in this ensemble will perform band works at a grade 2-4 which is standard for most middle school ensembles. Concert Winds is also designed for the more proficient high school/middle school musician desiring to learn a new instrument to enhance the ensemble instrumentation and balance in their current school program. Students will have the opportunity to work in smaller ensembles and will perform 2-3 times during the year.
The flute ensemble plays a well-rounded and eclectic curriculum for the eager performing flutists with performance opportunities that provide a rich diversity in musical selections ranging from Classical, 20th Century Music, Jazz, Pop and music of ethnic origin.
We offer two string orchestras as training preparation to play in the larger Symphonic Orchestras: Intermezzo Strings and Prelude Strings. Visit our website to learn about rehearsal locations and audition requirements.
The Philharmonic Orchestra is the premier orchestra of the San Jose Youth Symphony. The newly formed Chamber Orchestra is for musicians of high school age at the advanced musical level. Rehearsals will focus on the full orchestra as well as small chamber music groups coached by professional musicians. The Concert Orchestra provides intermediate musicians the opportunity to learn rehearsal techniques and performance practices in a full orchestra setting. Visit our website for information on rehearsal locations and audition requirements.
Chorissima is the concert, recording, and touring ensemble of the San Francisco Girls Chorus, and is conducted by Artistic Director Susan McMane. The dedicated young artists of the ensemble, ages 12-18 years old, present a season concert series in the San Francisco Bay Area, tour nationally and internationally, and appear annually with renowned artistic partners, such as San Francisco Opera and San Francisco Symphony. Membership in Chorissima is by audition, after graduation from the Chorus School.
Emphasis is placed on more complex and challenging music, in addition to more demanding expectations for the refinement of sight-singing skills. Comprehension and vocalizing of musical phrasing is more complex at this level. Vocal technique is expected to become more consistent, and greater agility and practice are necessary to hear and learn music in more foreign languages. There are high expectations for the development of chorister independence in work ethic and also in rehearsal techniques.