About Our Orchestras
Bainbridge Island Youth Orchestra currently offers three, tiered string orchestras for musicians ages 7-18. These three orchestras are open to violin, viola, cello, and double bass players in Kitsap County.
Debut
The Debut Orchestra is intended for the youngest players with no ensemble playing experience. Students will join the orchestra based on teacher recommendation. The expectation is first position technique and early/emergent reading.
Sinfonietta
The focus of this group is to introduce the skills needed to play in an orchestra such as listening, orchestral performance techniques, and an introduction to orchestral style practices.
The Sinfonietta students tend to be in late grade school or middle school and perform at a minimum level of Suzuki Book 2.
Students in the Sinfonietta perform all styles of music appropriate to the skill level of the group.
Senior Orchestra
The Senior Orchestra is for intermediate to advanced string players. Students are typically in high school or late middle school and perform music from all eras and style periods.
Debut
The Debut Orchestra is intended for the youngest players with no ensemble playing experience. Students will join the orchestra based on teacher recommendation. The expectation is first position technique and early/emergent reading.
Sinfonietta
The focus of this group is to introduce the skills needed to play in an orchestra such as listening, orchestral performance techniques, and an introduction to orchestral style practices.
The Sinfonietta students tend to be in late grade school or middle school and perform at a minimum level of Suzuki Book 2.
Students in the Sinfonietta perform all styles of music appropriate to the skill level of the group.
Senior Orchestra
The Senior Orchestra is for intermediate to advanced string players. Students are typically in high school or late middle school and perform music from all eras and style periods.
Who Can Join?
Students ages 7 – 18 who play violin, viola, cello, or double bass.
The minimum level of technical ability for admission to the Sinfonietta is performance at a level equivalent to Suzuki Book 2 with the ability to read notes in the keys of C, G, D, and A, and sight-read simple rhythm patterns to register and audition. Debut orchestra students need not audition; teacher recommendation of readiness required.
The minimum level of technical ability for admission to the Sinfonietta is performance at a level equivalent to Suzuki Book 2 with the ability to read notes in the keys of C, G, D, and A, and sight-read simple rhythm patterns to register and audition. Debut orchestra students need not audition; teacher recommendation of readiness required.
Rehearsals
Monday evenings at Grace Episcopal Church on Bainbridge Island.
Debut - 4:15 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Sinfonietta – 5:15 p.m. – 6:45 p.m.
Senior Orchestra – 7:00 p.m. – 8:45 p.m.
Combined rehearsals and sectionals will be announced. The BIYO rehearses from September through May with holidays that tie closely to the public school calendar.
Debut - 4:15 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Sinfonietta – 5:15 p.m. – 6:45 p.m.
Senior Orchestra – 7:00 p.m. – 8:45 p.m.
Combined rehearsals and sectionals will be announced. The BIYO rehearses from September through May with holidays that tie closely to the public school calendar.