Interested in Auditioning? Click here for more information!

The Youth Orchestra, sponsored by the Orchestra of the Southern Finger Lakes and conducted by Augusto Diemecke, is a collection of the finest young musicians in the Twin Tiers region. It provides advanced challenges and opportunities for young people who are enthusiastic about music. The Orchestra of the Southern Finger Lakes also sponsors the Junior String Ensemble! This group, conducted by Gary Chollet and Paul Feissner, aims to help the development of young string players. It will provide advanced challenges and opportunities for young people who are enthusiastic about music and serve as a feeder program for the Youth Orchestra of the Southern Finger Lakes.

Most Valuable Players
Our Youth Orchestra and Junior String Ensemble musicians represent our community's most talented, focused, and intelligent young people.

Youth Orchestra and Junior String Ensemble Members:

• Are recognized as key players and leaders in their school music programs.
• Are a cross-section of our schools' top academic achievers.
• Learn teamwork, creativity, and pursuit of perfection.
• Make smart decisions about higher education and careers

Both ensembles will rehearse weekly throughout the school year to prepare for three public concerts. Concerts and rehearsals take place at various locations in the Elmira-Corning area.

CLICK HERE to see a copy of the Youth Orchestra Handbook (2008-2009 season)

CLICK HERE to see a copy of the Junior String Ensemble Handbook (2008-2009 season)

Click here to see the performance schedule for the
Youth Orchestra and Junior String Ensemble

In our Youth Orchestra, we welcome string, woodwind, brass, and percussion players. Members are of advanced high school and extremely advanced middle school ability. Students are drawn from communities throughout the region.

The Youth Orchestra offers an opportunity for our talented local youth to grow as musicians and make friends that share similar interests. Being involved in this program is a great learning experience that many students say helped them to have a true appreciation for working with a group as well as music in general.

For the Junior String Ensemble, string players are welcome to audition. Members will be of advanced elementary, middle and high school ability. Students will be drawn from communities throughout the region.

Along with the Youth Orchestra, the new Junior String Ensemble will present another way in which the region's youth can get involved in their community while strengthening their musical abilities and improving the quality of their lives. The Junior String Ensemble will be a way in which the younger members of our community can get involved, and this ensemble will also be another avenue through which those players who aren't old enough or whose abilities aren't mature enough, can gain experience on their instruments and eventually progress to the Youth Orchestra.