The Phiharmonia Orchestra is one of the main focal points of the FYC. Members of this elite ensemble will perform a challenging repertoire at the advanced level. The ensemble will sample the music of all major stylistic periods, ranging from Baroque to Contemporary. The instrumentation for the Full Orchestra is traditional in nature, with a carefully balanced number of wind players.
The FYC Chamber Orchestra exposes students to the vast repertory for strings. Members receive expert training in the areas of mechanics, intrepretation, and performing in a large string ensemble. Performance for the Chamber Orchestra is at the advanced level.
The String Scouts ensemble is open to beginning string players, and is dedicated to inspiring our youngest musicians with the magic and fun that music has to offer. Members are carefully taught the basic fundamentals of playing their instruments, note reading, posture, position, and performing in a large group. Our String Scouts faculty is experienced in working with elementary aged children in a nurturing, fun, yet challenging way. String Scouts members perform the world's most popular melodies specifically arranged for their performance level.
The Jazz String Ensemble is an exciting new performance based group which consists of all instruments of the Strings family. The ensemble performs original compositions, as well as jazz standards. Members will gain familiarity with improvisation and string techniques utilized in the jazz idiom.
The Wind Ensemble is another of the FYC's main focal points. This ensemble will perform compositions specifically written for the traditional wind ensemble, as well as many well-known transcriptions at the advanced level. Works by Holst, Bernstein, Reed, Vaughan Williams, Bach, Wagner, and several others will be performed by this highly refined ensemble.
The Allegro Winds serves as a feeder to the Prelude Winds. This ensemble is comprised of intermediate level wind and percussion players and performs music composed for this traditionally larger ensemble. Members of this ensemble receive special attention designed to sharpen their performance skills and work toward the advanced level.
Like its String Scouts counterpart, the Band Scouts provides beginning level wind and percussion players the opportunity to learn the basic music fundamentals and grow as young musicians. Elements such as air support, posture, embouchure, articulation, and dynamics are introduced in an easily attainable manner. Band Scouts members will also learn the experience of performing in a large group, and explore adaptations of the great melodies of music.
The FYC Big Band is an advanced jazz ensemble in which students will perform a wide variety of literature ranging from Swing to Contemporary. Students are required to audition for selection and placement into the FYC Big Band, as the instrumentation will be traditional in number.
Like the FYC Big Band, the Intermediate Jazz Ensemble performs a wide variety of jazz literature carefully arranged for players with little or no improvisation experience. Intermediate Jazz Ensemble members learn the fundamentals of solo construction, harmony, and song forms.
As a first of its kind, the Jazz Explorers exposes advanced beginning musicians to adaptations of the worldÕs most popular Jazz melodies. Designed to introduce basic level Swing concepts, the Jazz Explorers aims to expand the musical listening habits of its members, while providing a fun and rewarding ensemble experience.
The FYC Percussion Ensemble performs literature which provides experience with the endless variety of percussion instruments. Basic rhythm skills, technique, and intrepretation are sharpened through study with some of the area's finest percussionists.
The Concert Choir focuses on literature of varying styles ranging from traditional to contemporary. Geared toward mature voices, this ensemble performs at the advanced level.
The Jazz Choir is a dynamic performance based vocal ensemble incorporating various elements in a variety of musical styles. Many of the works are performed with jazz combo accompaniment, and incorporate some dance or movement.
Designed for younger intermediate level singers, this ensemble trains musicians for successful entry into higher performance level ensembles. The FYC Youth Chorale focuses on refining beginning and intermediate concepts, and teaches young singers how to carefully approach the proper use of their voice.