connections community

flexibility

resilience

nvyo.org

March 2021 Northern Valley Youth Orchestras is supported by the United States Regional Arts Resilience Fund Phase 2, an initiative of Arts Midwest and its peer United States Regional Arts Organizations made possible by an anonymous donor.

MYRA FOUNDATION

This program is supported in part by a grant from the Neel Family Fund through the Community Foundation of Grand Forks, East Grand Forks & Region.

Program Notes Slavonic Dance #8 - (1878) Antonin Dvořák used Brahms’s Hungarian Dances as a model for his Slavonic Dances, however while Brahms made use of actual Hungarian folk melodies, Dvořák only used the rhythms of Bohemian and Moravian folk music: the melodies are entirely his own. The piano and orchestrated versions were both immediate successes and quickly established Dvořák’s international reputation. Dance #8 is a “furiant,” a Bohemian dance that typically contrasts 2/4 with 3/4 meter. It switches constantly between minor and major, and the accents make it difficult to tell what time signature is being used. After a calm middle section, the fast and exciting original tune returns. The Old Boatman : (1930) is a two-page piano piece Florence Price (1887-1953) composed for the benefit of her developing piano students. It is representative of her signature style, a fusion of her classical training and the elements of African-American spirituals, particularly their rhythm and syncopation. Upon hearing the piece, Dana Paul Perna found it very reminiscent of Edvard Grieg's string works. With that in mind, he proceeded to score The Old Boatman in a literal transcription for string orchestra in 2002. This version was premiered in 2017. Rhapsody in Blue (1924) Written when he was just 26, George Gershwin's innovative work brought elements of jazz to the symphonic stage. Just five weeks prior to the concert where it premiered, Gershwin had not actually committed to writing a piece, when a report in the New York Tribune stated that George was “at work on a jazz concerto” for the program. Short on time, Gershwin pieced Rhapsody In Blue together as best he could, leaving his own piano part to be improvised during the world premiere. Rhapsody would come to be regarded as one of the most important American musical works of the 20th century. This arrangement uses tunes from the larger work. Overture to the Merry Wives of Windsor (1848) The Merry Wives of Windsor is Otto Nicolai's only opera to be written in German, and dates from the last year of his life. Frist produced at the Berlin Court Opera, Nicolai's delightful work, based on Shakespeare, remains a fairly common part of the repertory, at least in Germanspeaking countries. Its overture is known and loved all over the world. The music of the overture is entirely drawn from the opera, most of it from the magical scene at midnight in Windsor Park, introducing the various characters. The remainder of the overture plays hideand-seek with all of these ideas, capturing the vigor and wit of a delightful comic story.

Innovate: Draft 8 (2021) Harpist and composer Callie Stadem hails from North Dakota , and once herself played harp in youth orchestra. This piece was commissioned in celebration of the 10th season of NVYO. Stadem writes, "In the spirit of the “Innovate” theme, this piece is inspired by my seven-year-old nephew Calvin. Children are incredible innovators, fearlessly and un-self-consciously synthesizing the most disparate thoughts into new inventions. “Innovate – Draft 8” attempts to capture a few vignettes of this child-like innovative spirit. The opening of the piece centers on a theme of ascending fourths, an abstraction of the melody my father used to sing to Calvin when he was a baby. Calvin himself says that this part sounds “royal” and “noble;” it’s meant to invoke some of the grandeur that I so vividly remember as a part of my own imaginary quests as a child. The opening section fades, replaced by a lighthearted, more chromatic section that depicts Calvin the tinkerer. He spends many hours in the workshop with his father, who is a blacksmith and a true innovator in his field. Here you’ll hear chimes sounding to emulate hammer on metal, and a jumble of motives meant to represent the joys, delights, surprises of experiments successful and unsuccessful, as well as the lulls that occur when things are moving along slowly." Stadem is a member of the faculty at Concordia College (Moorhead, MN) as a harp instructor, and teaches harp, composition, and voice privately throughout the Red River Valley. She maintains a busy performance schedule in the tri-state area with regional symphonies, chamber ensembles, and as a solo artist. Eritaj (2020): Composer Christopher Ducasse, a native of Port-auPrince Haiti, writes, "The title, "Eritaj" is a Haitian Creole title and translates to "Heritage" in English. This composition is based on different Haitian Rhythms such as "Congo Lwés" and "Raboday". The idea behind that composition is embracing and merging two different genres of music that I grew up with: being a native Haitian and studying classical music. Using the traditional rhythms and style of Haitian music merged with Western classical style of composition, this piece is a representation of what I consider my Heritage in the world in music; the music that I can say I was born with, and the music that I have studied. Haitian Rhythms, mostly passed by oral tradition from mentors to apprentice drummers, use a lot of different sounds on a conga, which are impossible to notate clearly on the one or two staves line system used by classical percussionists. I included a custom notation sheet for the conga parts based on Haitian sound but with classical notation that will help express the sound and soul of the rhythms." Ducasse was a BLUME HAITI Scholar in the Haitian student exchange program at Lawrence University in 2015, and later completed a Music Education degree at Silver Lake College. He has composed vocal and instrumental pieces; Christopher sings baritone, plays piano and violin, and was the winner of the WCDA Conducting Competition in 2018. Percussion for Eritaj involved generous loans of equipment and moving assistance, as well as several community mentors.

THANK YOU to the Alerus Center & its staff!

Big thanks also go out to: GF Central HS Music Department • UND percussion studio African Arts Arena • Don Langlie & Popplers Music • Brian Opdahl, piano tuner • Empire Arts Center Behls Photography • HB Sound & Light • ND Department of Commerce • Neel Family Foundation Arts Midwest • Myra Foundation • the school & private instructors of these wonderful young people and the many other supporters, donors, and grantors listed in this program

coaches, video & ZOOM coaches, & mentors this Season Rachel Agan Muniz,* Dr. Simona Barbu,* Andrew Barhite,* Claire Barhite,* Tamara Bertram, Dr. Sonja Bosca-Harasim, Shari Boschee, Leah Brooks, Dr. Lisa Bost-Sandberg,* , Sarah Curtiss, Dr. Yi-Ping Chen-Beyers, Ryan Christianson, Aubrey Connolly, Erin Cummings,* Michael Farrick, Jessica Folson, Gabrielle Halliday,* Dr. Cody Hunter,* Sarah Harlow, Mark Nelson,* Dillon Parker, Dr. Brian Pfeifer,* Rebecca Ryan,* Katie Svendson,* Tyler York* *denotes performing today Thanks to our UND Music Education major volunteer assistants!: Jemel Canapi • Katlynn Ellis* • Zach Fischer • Melissa Leet • Tyler Wolf

March 2021 • Alerus Center Kara Hartten, conductor

Philharmonic Slavonic Dance #8

Antonin Dvorak (1841-1904)

arr. Merle Isaac

The Old Boatman

Rhapsody in Blue

Florence Price (1887-1953)

arr. Dana Paul Perna

George Gershwin (1898-1937)

arr. Paul Murtha

Dr. Kevin Sütterlin & Dr. Cody Hunter, Conductors

Symphony

Overture to "Merry Wives of Windsor" Innovate - Draft 8 : world premiere

Otto Nicolai (1810-1849) Callie Dawn Stadem (b. 1991)

Commissioned by Northern Valley Youth Orchestras in celebration of our 10th season.

Eritaj : world premiere

Christopher Ducasse (b. 1993)

meet the composers! scan here with your phone camera for more details!

Florence Price (1887-1953) Born in Little Rock, Arkansas, Price was the first AfricanAmerican woman to be recognized as a symphonic composer. Her compositions draw inspiration from her heritage and Southern roots.

@nvyorch

Antonin Dvorak George Gershwin (1841-1904) (1898-1937)

A violinist by Born in New York, he training, Dvořák's was a pianist and works, such as the composer influenced Slavonic Dances, heavily by American were directly jazz and popular inspired by Czech, styles. He wrote Moravian, and other successfully for Slavic traditional Broadway, and the music. He lived in classical and popular New York for 3 stages. years..

Callie Stadem (1991-) A harpist, teacher and composer born and raised in North Dakota, she also teaches harp, voice and composition, performs as a harpist, and trains for triathlons!

Christopher Ducasse (1993 - )

A native of Haiti, he has trained in violin and voice, piano, and conducting. His compositions blend rhythms and sounds from Haitian folk music and his Classical music training.

Otto Nicolai (1810 - 1849) A child prodigy and perfectionist, one of the founders of the Vienna Philharmonic. His German comic opera "Merry Wives of Windsor" was a huge hit, but he died soon after writing it.

@NorthernValleyYouthOrchestras nvyo.org | info@novyo.org

Philharmonic

Kara Hartten, conductor

Violin Arienne Caoili, GF- homeschool Betty Fang, GF - Valley Rock Fang, GF - Valley Kathryn Gonsorowski, GF - South Katelyn Hur, GF - South Charlotte Kapinos, GF - South Dimitri Kolodka, GF - Red River Rhilynn Leroux Peters, GF / EGF Sacred Heart Alexis Massey, GF - Red River Kinley Maszk, GF - Kelly Annika Opsahl, GF - South Synje Peterson, GF- South McKayla Sagini. GF - Schroeder Ella Pratt, Cummings, ND - homeschool Gretta Pratt, Cummings, ND - homeschool Jayla Sharp, Michigan ND - Dakota Prairie Clarissa Sturlaugson, GF - South Traysen Van Camp, EGF Briley Zhang, GF - Valley Viola Elizabeth Flagg, GF - South James Smith, GF - Schroeder Cello Emerson Byron, GF - Schroeder Emerson Eastman, GF - South Isaac Hong, GF - South Garett Peterson, GF - Schroeder Ella Speidel, GF - South Vedant Srivastava. GF - Schroeder Angie Zaruba, Northwood Eli Zerr, GF - South Bass Julia Biby - GF Valley Flute Alexis Massey, GF - Red RIver Briley Zhang, GF - Valley Trumpet Sophie Brakke, GF- Schroeder Sam Goldberg, Lake Bronson, MN Eli Zerr, GF - South    Trombone Garett Peterson, GF - Schroeder Tuba Spearit Washington, GF - Central Percussion Dani Ganyo, GF- Valley Symphony student assistants: Madeline Fortman, flute Sarah Hong, violin Sarah Sayles, cello

Symphony

Dr. Kevin Sütterlin & Dr. Cody Hunter, conductors

Violin Grant Anderson, GF - Red River Cami Antonenko, GF - Red River Ainsley Boucher, Crookston, MN Dennis Du, GF - Central Sadie Hillman, GF - Central Sarah Hong, GF - Red River Neecon Mardani, GF - Central Abby Quick, Plummer , MN Lincoln HS TRF Gabe Sagini, GF - Schroeder Megan Schill, GF - Central Carter Schmisek, GF - Central Elise Stevens, GF - Red River Viola Cassie Fincher, CMP/ alumni Sophia Frank, GF - Central Gillian Hoffman, GF- Central Matthew Moe, GF - Red River Cello Carter Byron, GF - Red River Lauren Hillman, GF - Central Claire Lapp, GF - Red River Sarah Sayles, GF - Red River Bass Daniel Hettich, CMP/ alumni Ryan Nordhagen, GF - Red River Flute Madeline Fortman, GF - Central Dustin Ringuette, EGF - Sacred Heart Clarinet Alexia Threatt, Crookston HS Greta Nelson, GF - Central Bassoon Dr. Cody Hunter Horn David Threatt, Crookston HS Tyler York, guest Trumpet Gabby Campani, GF - Central McKenna Emineth, GF - Red River Nolan Lapp, GF - Red River Trombone Elias David-Schill, GF- Central Gabby Halliday, guest Haley Jorgenson , GF - Central Percussion Cami Antonenko, GF - Red River Andres Moreno, GF - Central Madeline Stangl, GF - Central CMP: College Mentor-Performer

WAY TO GO! NVYO is proud of all these graduating high school seniors. They have experienced one of the most complicated and tumultuous years in recent history, and they've made music through it all. Here's a little bit about their time with NVYO ... and what comes next.

NVYO High School Senior Class of 2021 Grant Anderson, violin, graduates from Red River High School after 9 years of NVYO programs: Allegro, Philharmonic, Symphony, Crescendo and Dal Segno. Grant will be studying UAV Systems Operations in the Aviation department at UND this fall, and plans to keep making music in the orchestra and choir there. His advice to young musicians is "If anything feels too difficult or challenging to play/do, musically or not, never give up on it until you've completed it." He says that being part of NVYO was a wonderful experience; he enjoyed being part of the program and meeting the people he did along the way. Grant credits "all the wonderful conductors and directors I've worked with over the years" for making him feel welcome in NVYO, and thanks them for experiences he says he will remember for a lifetime.

Dennis Du, violin, graduates from Grand Forks Central after three seasons of NVYO experience. He says Merry Wives of Windsor is a favorite, and that it is also exciting to play a piece by a local composer [Callie Stadem.] Next year, Dennis heads to an as-yetdetermined college to study some type of computer science, data science, or artificial intelligence. His advice to younger musicians? "Don't be afraid to pour energy and feeling into your instrument! Listen to the music and feel all the emotions- then keep them in mind as you play." Dennis thanks Ligia Drago for her guidance and for teaching him to add expression to his playing; and thanks Dr. Sütterlin as well, for providing a challenge.

"listen to the music and feel all the emotions..." - Dennis Du

Sophia Frank, viola (and occasionally tuba), graduates from Grand Forks Central High School/Community after five seasons of NVYO. Philharmonic, Symphony, Dal Segno and Crescendo. She most values the different connections on musical and personal levels she's made with peers, coaches and directors. Sophia plans to start at Northland to get generals and then major in music education at UND or NDSU. Her advice to younger musicians is "Stick to what you've started! Whether it be at home by yourself, in a small ensemble, or in a large group, music is "definitely worth having throughout your life." Sophia thanks her dad for always supporting her music, even through tough times. She says "if it wasn't for him, I wouldn't have had the amazing impact music has had on my life and my love for music."

Lauren Hillman, cello, graduates from Grand Forks Central High School after 5 years of NVYO. Her favorite memory is going to Concordia College for a day to do sectional and large group work, and also enjoyed spending time with friends at rehearsal. In the fall, Lauren is looking forward to meeting new people, and is considering a career in pharmacy or anesthesiology. Lauren encourages younger musicians to "play your instruments in many different settings or groups!" She would like to thank Naomi Welsh for encouraging her to get involved in many different opportunities that push her to grow as a player and a person.

2021 High School Seniors, CONTinued. Haley Jorgenson, trombone, graduates from Central High School after 1 year of NVYO (and one summer of Dal Segno!) Her favorite NVYO piece was the Merry Wives of Windsor. Her advice to younger players is "you don't have to do everything!" She plans to study in one of the sciences in college, and continue to make music wherever she ends up. Haley thanks her parents for the support, and all her music instructors for helping her along the way. Claire Lapp, cello, graduates from Red River High School, having played for 8 years of NVYO Allegro, Philharmonic and Symphony. Claire's best memories of NVYO are playing at Music in Bloom and being challenged with difficult music. She looks forward to going away to college next year. Claire thanks Naomi Welsh, Mr. Seabloom, and Dr. Andres Moreno, percussion, Sütterlin for "believing in my graduates from Grand Forks Central after 5 years of capabilities and pushing me to do my NVYO and has been in the best." Claire advises younger players Philharmonic and Symphony to remember that "the most orchestras. Andres' advice to important thing is to enjoy playing, younger players is "enjoy don’t let difficult music or high school while you can, it competition keep you from enjoying actually does fly by." He says music and playing your instrument." his favorite NVYO memory is rehearsal breaks with ""the most important thing is to enjoy playing" Lauren! Next year Andres plans to major in business or - Claire Lapp economics. He thanks his first drum teacher, Caleb Fritel, and says "without him as my teacher, I don't think I would be playing. He was a great teacher and I appreciated him a lot." "practice." - Dustin Ringuette

Dustin Ringuette, flute, graduates from East Grand Forks Sacred Heart after 5 years in NVYO. He learned a lot, and thanks his parents for encouraging him to join NVYO. Dustin plans to major in entrepreneurship and music in the fall. His advice for younger players? "Practice."

photos courtesy Behl's Photography website: behls.net

Artistic Staff Dr. Kevin F. E. Sütterlin, Artistic Director & Symphony conductor

is an internationally sought-after conductor and pedagogue. He belongs to Beyond Artists, a coalition of artists that donates a percentage of their concert fees to organizations they care about. He supports “WIRES” (Australian Wildlife Rescue) and the “Memphis Music Initiative” through his performances. In addition to his position as Artistic Director of the Northern Valley Youth Orchestras, he is Director of Orchestral Activities and Opera at Concordia College, where he and his colleagues received two EMMY awards for 2016’s nationally broadcast Concordia Christmas Concert productions. Furthermore, The Concordia Orchestra won the prestigious American Prize competition in 2018-19 under his leadership. Sütterlin is Music Director of the Fox Valley Symphony Orchestra and Sinfonietta Memphis, and is Artistic Director of the Sinfonietta Academy for Historically Informed Performance Practice. He holds The Phyllis and Richard Duesenberg Endowed Orchestra Chair as Director of Orchestral and Conducting Studies of the Lutheran Summer Music Festival and Academy.

Considering himself a "citizen of the world," Sütterlin has been building musical bridges across four different continents, and has led his ensembles on many successful national and international tours. He has performed and taught across the globe including Austria, China, Germany, Greece, Italy, Romania, Slovenia, Switzerland and the United States. Institutions he has taught at include the Shanghai Conservatory of Music, Sichuan Conservatory, The University of Hawaii, Lucerne Conservatory Switzerland, and The University of Memphis. This upcoming season Sütterlin will guest conduct in China, South Africa, Germany, Switzerland, Italy, Portugal, Texas, Alabama, Connecticut, Virginia, Indiana, Wisconsin, North and South Dakota, Nebraska, and Minnesota.

Ms. Kara Hartten, Philharmonic conductor Kara Hartten began her musical studies at the age of five in her hometown of Redding, Connecticut. She earned both a Bachelor of Music Performance and a Bachelor of Arts in French from DePauw University, followed by a Master of Music in cello performance and instrumental conducting from the University of North Dakota. Ms. Hartten is presently an orchestra teacher in the Grand Forks Public Schools and performs with the Fargo Moorhead Symphony Orchestra as well as the Greater Grand Forks Symphony Orchestra. She founded a string ensemble she currently directs, the UND Community Orchestra, and is a past conductor for NVYO’s Allegro Orchestra; she has additionally coached NVYO Crescendo chamber music and cello sectionals. As a cellist, Kara has performed with the UND Student String Quartet and UND’s Red River Trio, a student ensemble that toured in May of 2014 in Tokyo, Japan and Shanghai, China. Kara has studied with Drs. Simona Barbu, Darilyn Manring, Yeon-Ji Yun, and Eric Edberg, as well as performed in master classes with renowned cellists such as Amit Peled, Matt Haimovitz, Nicholas Photinos, Emilio Colon and Laszlo Varga. In 2009, she performed with the DePauw Chamber Orchestra during a tour of Austria and Germany. She also performed the Lalo cello concerto with the Greater Bridgeport Youth Orchestra in 2007 as the winner of its concerto competition. In 2011, she played Mendelssohn’s Octet in E-flat major with internationally known cellist Yo-Yo Ma.

Dr. Cody Hunter, Symphony assistant conductor Dr. Cody Hunter is Assistant Professor of Music and Head of Fine Arts at Mayville State University, where he directs the performance ensembles. Prior to his appointment at MSU, Dr. Hunter was the band program director for East Hardy Schools in Baker, WV. As a bassoonist, Dr. Hunter has performed with notable ensembles such as the Eroica Ensemble of Memphis, Memphis Symphony Orchestra, Symphony Orchestra Augusta, and the Arkansas Symphony. Most recently, Dr. Hunter has performed with the Fargo-Moorhead Symphony, FargoMoorhead Opera, and Bemidji Symphony. Dr. Hunter received his D.M.A. from the University of Memphis, his M.M. from the University of MN-Twin Cities, and his B. Mus. Ed. from the University of WI-Stevens Point.

Donors & Supporters

JANUARY 1 -DECEMBER 31 2020

$100-$249, cont. Dana Sande Sarah Barron & John Scheels* Madden Judy Schill Luise Beringer Nikki & Robert Seabloom in memory of Richard Beringer Cynthia & John Shabb Gloria Rodriguez Athena Threatt* Mark & Gloria Sanford Thursday Music Club Gail Schmisek Jeff & Brooke VanLooy $5000 -$9999 in memory of Bill Schmisek Barbara Walter Alerus Center* Joan & Steve Schultz Devera Warcup ND Council on the Arts Kyle Thorson in honor of Alyssa Warcup Lloyd & Shirley Welsh Jennifer Tarlin $2500-$4999 Thrivent Financial Myra Foundation up to $99 Naomi Welsh Neel Family Foundation Ted & Alyson White Brad Aafedt (via Community Molly Yeh & Nick Hagen Gina Allen Foundation) Jay & Erin Almlie ND Department of Lorraine Amundson $100-$249 Commerce Anonymous Amazon Smile Phil & Shelly Amundson Anthony & Kari Anderson $1000-$2499 In memory of Jonah Borth Community Foundation Mark Antonenko Elaine Anderson Simona Barbu Ann & Barry Folson Kristine Anderson Ken Barhite Nancy & Richard Foss Tamara Bertram Mae Marie Blackmore Barbara Beach Gershman Family Al & Donna Bott Cassie Bies Foundation Marilyn Duppenthaler Sonja Bosca-Harasim Darren & Jodi Straus Jenny Goeke Wendy Bulman Kara Hartten Kellie Burgess $500-$999 Les & Patty Howard Bobbie Burke Anonymous Hugos* Leah & Jeff Byzewski Rock Bundlie Steve Carriere Steve Hulst Convention & Visitors Arlene David Necole Johnson Bureau Daydreams Peter Johnson Shelley Frederickson Liz Eggers Tanja Kapinos Grand Forks Park Virginia Elliott Jason Laine District Foundation Niels Frank Karna Loyland Dave Krogh & Larissa Hood Laurie Guy Hannah Maier Avery & Vicki Jones Pete Haga Yvonne & Greg Lapp Ursula Maier Collin Hanson Murray Maria-Joy & Cedric Masa Marjorie in honor of Claire, Jess & Andy Folson Angela Harrison-Urlacher Kanishka & Madhavi Mark & Michele Peterson Bill Haug Marasinghe James & Melanie Popejoy Mare Hepper Bill & Kari Noyes Robert Hoverson Romanick Family Kristi Pasek Georg Hranov Jerry Ryan Brianna Jagim Paula Kaufman *in-kind Sandra Kerr or partially in-kind

$10,000+ Arts Midwest Cares Act - NEA City of Grand Forks Arts Regrant (via Community Foundation)

nvyo.org/donate thank you to all!

$250-$499

Active.com registration donations

up to $99, continued Paul Kim Kathleen Coudle King Hamzat Koriko Jan Kurtyka Suzanne Larson Tyler Manske Nichole Massey Leigh Ann McKenzie James & Jennifer Moe Patty & Doug Olsen Debra Pflughoeft-Hassett David Rathbone Lana Reynolds Paul & Robin Severud Kenneth & Quayne Sherwood Dr. Kevin Sütterlin Sabine Sütterlin Corey Thompson Lola Underdahl Bob Winter David Wollin Tove Wollin Lynne Wymore Eun-Jung Youn

Advertising Sponsorships 2020-21 programs/Dal Segno

Amundson Funeral Home Arioso Music Academy+ Concordia College Empire Arts Center Givens Violins+ Grand Forks Chorales

Greater Grand Forks Symphony

Inprints International Music Camp Midcontinent- in-kind Minot State University Popplers Music+ Remer Accounting Upper Midwest String Camp

Thrivent - in-kind Wakefield Hearing +both sponsorships THANK YOU to our ad sponsors!

Endowment Fund A gift to the Northern Valley Youth Orchestras Endowment Fund makes a lasting difference by providing sustainable, ongoing funding each year. Northern Valley Youth Orchestras' Endowment Fund is housed at the Community Foundation; the Foundation manages the fund and its investments, and NVYO receives a 5% payout from the principal each year, providing vital operating funds.  Because NVYO is a qualified 501 c3 nonprofit, with an endowment gift of $5000 or more you can significantly lower the net cost of your contribution and triple its impact. Actual numbers will depend on your tax bracket and other factors; the Community Foundation can help you with details. Gifts of any amount are welcome and appreciated. Make a donation at the Community Foundation of Grand Forks, East Grand Forks, and Region; 620 Demers Ave. Grand Forks, ND 58201; or call 701.746.0668 . Choose Northern Valley Youth Orchestras for the donation designation. OR donate online to the fund: https://www.gofoundation.org/give-fund.html Scroll down to  “Northern Valley Youth Orchestras Endowment Fund” and complete your donation. All information about taxes and benefits and your IRS tax deduction statement  will channel through the Community Foundation.  Thank you! 

Northern Valley Youth Orchestras

About us...

Northern Valley Youth Orchestras is in its TENTH year of inspiring musicians and engaging communities. NVYO offers two orchestras, a chamber music program (Crescendo), and a summer day camp (Dal Segno). NVYO provides young musicians aged 12 to 21 with symphonic and chamber music experience, community connections, and opportunities to stretch and challenge themselves in a supportive setting. Participants throughout the year number over 120 and come from cities and towns within a 75-mile range of Grand Forks. NVYO Alumni pursue degrees in a variety of professional fields including music and the sciences, and consistently earn places at excellent colleges and universities both locally and around the country. NVYO's two orchestras, Philharmonic and Symphony, rehearse weekly from September to March - this year temporarily relocated to the Alerus Center - and typically perform two to three formal concerts per season. Guest clinicians and professional instrumentalists provide additional mentoring and orchestral training, and a variety of community performances are offered to students as well. NVYO is fully committed to diversity and inclusion in its activities and membership, and believes firmly that music, including classical music, is for everyone. NVYO has an office located in the Empire Arts Center, as well as a membership at the 701 Coworking Space.

Board of Directors

David Krogh, President Phil Amundson, Vice President Mark Romanick, Treasurer Wendy Bulman, Secretary Yong Hou, Tyler Manske, Madhavi Marasinghe, Gloria Rodriguez, Jennifer Tarlin, Angela Urlacher Naomi Welsh, Executive Director (ex officio) learn more at nvyo.org/staff

offering free or reduced rate rehearsal/performance spaces

More information about NVYO is available at www.nvyo.org, and on our social media platforms.

Join NVYO!

REGISTRATION LINK: https://bit.ly/38qcB9J

Auditions & and registration for 2021-22 available online. Check nvyo.org/join-nvyo or email info@novyo.org for audition options

#gfwelcomes