Who are we?
North Valley Symphonettes (NVS) typically serves late elementary and middle school age musicians. Younger and older students are welcome to join based on skill level. Symphonettes provides an opportunity for young musicians to participate in a performance ensemble, very often for the very first time. And we have FUN learning the basics of playing in an orchestra. Students must have at least one year of experience on their instrument, have finished Suzuki Book 1 (or a similar methods book), and possess basic music reading skills.
Director
Gabrielle began violin lessons at the age of 5 with Claire Gordon. During her teens she was concert mistress in local youth orchestras, performed at Disney Hall twice, and won the first North Valley Symphony Youth Orchestra Violin Competition. From a young age, she's also played with ProMusica Arizona, the North Valley Symphony Orchestra, and the Nashville Philharmonic Orchestra. Her professional orchestra experience includes the Murphreesboro Symphony Orchestra, the Verde Valley Sinfonietta, and currently Principle 2nd with the North Valley Symphony Orchestra.
Beginning her teaching career as a teenager, she dove into Suzuki pedagogy, and has most valued her studies with Beth Titterington, Beth Cantrell, and Judy Bossuat-Gallic. Currently teaching in the Paradise Valley and Scottsdale area, Gabrielle strives to emulate Dr. Suzuki's principles of a positive learning environment, with a focus on tone production and repetition.
Gabrielle lives in Paradise Valley with her husband and 3 cats. She enjoys playing both violin and cello in smaller ensembles, as well as composing and arranging music.
Join Us
If you have a passion to play music, can meet weekly for rehearsals, are willing to commit to the necessary practice, and want to have fun playing music with your friends, then we want you in North Valley Symphonettes!
We offer a "ladder up" for young musicians. There are no limits! NVSO provides students the ability to progress from from North Valley Symphonettes, to North Valley Youth Strings and then to North Valley Youth Orchestra. Some advanced students ultimately audition for the NVSO Adult Orchestra. See our current members at the NVSO Youth Ensembles page.
New Key Dates
Monday September 9 - First Rehearsal
Friday September 13 - 2nd Audition Window Extended - (join NLT Sep 16)
Saturday December 7 - Winter Concert - Paradise Valley HS
Monday December 9 - Final Fall Semester Rehearsal/Christmas Caroling Party
Friday January 17 - Spring Semester Audition Deadline
Monday January 27 - Spring Semester First Rehearsal
Saturday April 5 - Summerford Violin Competition
Saturday May 10 - Spring Concert - Paradise Valley HS
Register below after receiving notification of your acceptance.
+ Rehearsals and at-home practice
Attend weekly live rehearsals with ensemble directors, which include rehearsals of assigned music, and lessons in technique and music appreciation. Rehearsals are held from 5:00 - 6:30 on Mondays.
The rehearsal venue is: Shiloh Community Church, 19021 N 32nd St, Phoenix, AZ 85050
Directors assign weekly assignments, focusing on very specific repertoire excerpts and string skills.
+ Concerts
North Valley Symphonettes performs at least one mandatory concert at the end of each semester. An optional “outreach concert” is sometimes scheduled for a performance in a mall setting or retirement center.
+ Tuition
Full Season Tuition (Fall 2024 - Spring 2025) $295
Sibling discounts of $100 are available.
Financial assistance from the LEMM scholarship fund may be available upon request.
+ Community Health & COVID 19 Protocols
Each NVSO participant is individually responsible to take the personal precautions appropriate for their specific vaccination and general health status. Students are required to not attend rehearsals and concerts if they are sick.
+ Audition Information
We would like to see you play before we have you join Symphonettes! Please record a very short video and upload it for us to review.
Include two 1-octave Scales. Play them detache, one long bow per note, at about 60 beats per minute:
- Violins: C Major + A Major
- Viola/Cellos: A Major + D Major
Include a Solo Piece from your current techniques book. Choose something you really enjoy that shows us how well you can play!
Test your video camera to ensure good lighting and sound. Make sure your fingers and bow arm are visible. Using a smart phone or iPad camera placed on a stand about 45 degrees to your right side usually works just fine.
After you record your video, upload it using the “Upload Video” button below.
During the upload, you will be asked to sign into a Google account. If you do not have a Google account, and do not wish to or need assistance in creating one, contact NVSO at youth@northvalleysymphony.org to arrange for an alternate means to upload your video.
If you have general questions please contact the NVSO Youth Registrar at: youth@northvalleysymphony.org or call 623-980-4628
Questions about the ensemble are best answered by the
North Valley Youth Strings Director, Ms. Anita Crider at:
gabrielleb@northvalleysymphony.org