RI Philharmonic Music School Announces Youth Ensembles Auditions in May and June

Youth wind, orchestras, chamber and jazz ensembles have spots available

Rhode Island Philharmonic Music School ensembles will hold auditions starting in May. All auditions are held at the RI Philharmonic’s Carter Center for Music Education & Performance, 667 Waterman Ave., East Providence. Students interested in auditioning but unavailable on any of the dates listed below, can submit an audition application and make an appointment at your earliest convenience.

Applications can be found at musicschool.riphil.org. For more information, contact Youth Ensembles Manager Chelsea Anderson at 401-248-7038 or canderson@riphil.org.

The Rhode Island Philharmonic Youth Wind Ensembles (RIPYWE) will hold auditions for the Symphonic Winds and the Wind Ensemble on the following dates:

• Wednesday, May 29, 4 p.m.-8 p.m.
• Thursday, May 30, 4 p.m.-8 p.m.

Founded in 2002, RIPYWE offers advanced woodwind, brass and percussion students from Rhode Island and nearby Massachusetts and Connecticut an outstanding opportunity to rehearse and perform high quality wind ensemble repertoire. RIPYWE offers these students a challenging and rewarding musical experience. RIPYWE Symphonic Winds is conducted by Music Director Dr. David Neves, and RIPYWE Wind Ensemble is conducted by John Knasas.

Both RIPYWE ensembles rehearse once per week on Wednesday evenings from September through May. They participate in two major performances per year.

The Rhode Island Philharmonic Youth Orchestras (RIPYO) will hold auditions for the Symphony, Repertory and String orchestras, and Intermediate String and String ensembles on the following dates:

• Wednesday, May 29, 4 p.m.- 8 p.m.
• Friday, May 31, 4 p.m.-7 p.m.
• Saturday, June 1, 9:30 a.m.-1 p.m.
• Saturday, June 8, 9:30 a.m.-1 p.m.
• Wednesday, June 12, 4 p.m.-8 p.m.
• Thursday, June 13, 4 p.m.-8 p.m.

 RIPYO provides quality orchestral rehearsal and performance experiences for talented young musicians from Rhode Island and nearby Connecticut and Massachusetts. The professional conducting staff, led by music director, symphony conductor and RI Philharmonic Orchestra member, Alexey Shabalin, is committed to providing the best educational experience for each student.

All RIPYO ensembles rehearse once per week in East Providence from September through May and present three performances. RIPYO Symphony members also perform side-by-side with RI Philharmonic musicians at a Friday night Amica Rush Hour concert at The VETS once during the season.

 RIPY Chamber Ensembles

By appointment only: Contact Youth Ensembles Manager Chelsea Anderson at 401-248-7038 or canderson@riphil.org.

Chamber Music classes provide a format for intensive study and performance of standard chamber music repertoire for string quartets, woodwind and brass quintets, piano trios and quartets and mixed ensembles. Students should have a minimum of three years playing experience. Ensembles receive weekly one-hour coaching sessions, perform in recitals and participate in masterclasses. Rehearsals begin in October and run through May. Acceptance and placement is by audition with Chamber Department Chair Lois Finkel. Students are placed in groups of two, three or more, based on skill level, age and needed instrumentation.

The Rhode Island Philharmonic Youth Jazz Ensembles (RIPYJazz) will hold auditions for the RIPYJazz and Rock Combos on the following dates:

• Thursday, May 30, 4 p.m.-8 p.m.
• Saturday June 8, 9 a.m.-1 p.m.

 The Jazz and Rock Department is for students inter­ested in jazz or rock study and performance. Courses are organized so that each student is placed according to his or her interests and skills, and can progress accordingly. The RIPYJazz Big Band, under the direction of Wendy Klein, performs at numerous community events including Monday Night Jazz at Bovi’s, Vernal Arts and Music Festival and the Blackstone Boulevard Summer Concert Series.

All RIPYJazz and Rock ensembles rehearse once per week from September through May and perform throughout the season.

Audition Recap

All auditions occur at the Carter Center for Music Education, 667 Waterman Ave., East Providence. Auditions are available by appointment if you are unavailable for the dates below.

• Youth Wind Ensembles
• Wednesday, May 29, 4 p.m.-8 p.m.
• Thursday, May 30, 4 p.m.-8 p.m.
•  Youth Orchestras
• Wednesday, May 29, 4 p.m.- 8 p.m.
• Friday, May 31, 4 p.m.-7 p.m.
• Saturday, June 1, 9:30 a.m.-1 p.m.
• Saturday, June 8, 9:30 a.m.-1 p.m.
• Wednesday, June 12, 4 p.m.-8 p.m.
• Thursday, June 13, 4 p.m.-8 p.m.
• RIPY Chamber Ensembles: By appointment only
• Youth Jazz Ensembles
• Thursday, May 30, 4 p.m.-8 p.m.
• Saturday June 8, 9 a.m.-1 p.m.

 Have questions? For audition details, visit musicschool.riphil.org, contact canderson@riphil.org or call (401) 248-7038. Audition applications can be found at  musicschool.riphil.org.



About the Rhode Island Philharmonic Music School: The Rhode Island Philharmonic Music School encourages lifelong engagement with music through comprehensive music education and community partnership programs taught by Orchestra members and outstanding faculty. We prioritize artistry and education equally. Quality, access, diversity and collaboration are core values. The Philharmonic Music School serves students of all ages and ability levels, and provides instruction in all kinds of music, from jazz and rock to classical and folk, through private lessons, chamber music classes and large and small ensembles. More than 70 dedicated teachers comprise the faculty, many with degrees from some of the finest music schools in the world. The majority of Philharmonic Music School programs take place at the state-of-the-art Carter Center in East Providence. Completed in 2008, the Carter Center is the largest dedicated community music school facility in New England. We also offer lessons in a welcoming, well-equipped environment at our East Greenwich branch.