PRESS RELEASE (MUSIC/OCEAN COUNTY, NJ) FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: August 18, 2004 CONTACT: Darlene A. Dreyer, Executive Director, 732.451.0064 Garden State Philharmonic Youth Orchestra Announces Auditions Ocean County, NJ -- The Garden State Philharmonic Youth Orchestra will hold auditions for the 2004-2005 Season on Monday, September 20, 2004, and Wednesday, September 22, 2004 from 6 to 9 pm at Toms River High School North in Toms River. Placement in the three-tiered program is open to young musicians grades 6-12 and determined by audition. To schedule an audition and obtain the audition repertoire and membership, please phone the Garden State Philharmonic Office at 732.451.0064 or e-mail gspmusic@earthlink.net. Audition information is available on the internet at www.gspyouth.org. The Membership Fee for the 2004-2005 Season is $90 per student ($80 per student if there is more than one student per family). The Garden State Philharmonic Youth Orchestras As part of its commitment to education, the Garden State Philharmonic actively sponsors a three-tiered youth orchestra program to provide young musicians the opportunity to play in an orchestra and receive training to develop and enhance individual musicianship. The Youth Orchestra is the only orchestral training program in South Jersey sponsored by an orchestral association that provides young musicians with three youth orchestras (Symphonic, Concert, and String Ensemble), wherein they receive training from experienced, New Jersey-certified music educators and conductors and perform regularly scheduled concerts in public venues. The program's tiered nature permits students to build on their knowledge and advance up the musical ladder. The members come from various schools in Ocean and Monmouth Counties and must belong to their school music programs. The three orchestras perform at local senior citizen communities, appear during the December holiday season at Toms River High School North, and hold a grand finale concert there in June. The Symphonic Youth Orchestra also has performed with the GSP Chorus and the GSP at special concerts. The Symphonic Youth Orchestra, formed in 1970, has approximately 65 high school members. This is a full orchestra, complete with wind, brass, and percussion instruments. Within this group is the GSP Youth String Quartet available to perform at various functions. In 1990, the GSP added two more youth orchestras to encourage participation at the middle and elementary school levels: the String Preparatory Orchestra and the Concert Youth Orchestra. The String Preparatory Orchestra encourages over 30 elementary students to seriously study string instruments and offers training and advancement into the Concert Youth Orchestra. The Concert Youth Orchestra, a full orchestra with brass and woodwinds, consists of approximately 55 middle school students and offers training and advancement into the Symphonic Youth Orchestra. The GSP Youth Orchestra Program encourages youngsters to study musical instruments and provides opportunities for these students to gain experience playing the standard orchestral repertoire. Many students audition for and win chairs in New Jersey Regional and All-State School Orchestras and Bands. Some choose a career in music and pursue professional studies in music. Many garner college placement and scholarships through their experience in the Youth Orchestras and continue to enjoy and support the world of music and art throughout their entire lives. Each year, the GSPYO recognizes demonstrated musical leadership, orchestral talent, musical growth, and musical achievement and supports continued musical growth by presenting the Gloria and Morris Adler Distinguished Musical Service Scholarship Award to a senior Youth Orchestra musician.