Who are we?
North Valley Youth Strings (NVYS) is an intermediate level orchestra. The ensemble is mostly comprised of middle school or early high school age students. Typically, students must have studied their instrument for 2-3 years, and completed Suzuki Book 3 or an equivalent before successfully auditioning for the Youth Strings. Violins, violas and cellos should be proficient in all 1-octave scales, and are learning 2-octave scales. (Basses should be proficient in 1-octave scales.)
Director
North Valley Symphony Orchestra is excited to announce that Ms. Anita B. Crider has been appointed as the North Valley Youth Strings Director. Ms. Crider has nearly 30 years of experience teaching music across many disciplines. She currently teaches in the Paradise Valley Unified School District. She received her undergraduate degree in Music Education from Colorado State University, and obtained her Masters of Music Education at the University of Wyoming. She recently completed the rigorous National Board Teacher Certification program. Throughout her career, she and her ensembles have received numerous awards and accolades. She is passionate about sharing her love of music with students and helping them become the best they can be. Ms. Crider says “I am excited for my new role as the North Valley Youth Strings Director! I am committed to providing positive musical experiences while nurturing the ensemble's growth and creativity.”
Join Us
If you have a passion to perform great 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 our North Valley Youth Strings!
We offer a "ladder up" for young musicians. There are no limits! NVSO provides students the ability to progress from North Valley Symphonettes, to North Valley Youth Strings, and then to North Valley Youth Orchestra. Some students even choose to 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 Youth Strings 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 Materials
Download the Scale and Excerpt appropriate to your instrument below.
Prepare and video record the scale with the following articulataion: Legato, Detache 1/4 note = 60 BPM (bpm = beats per minute Do not record with a metronome so we can hear you!
Excerpt: Prepare and video record both excerpts, Dancla and Czerny. Watch out for the 4 cesuras (railroad tracks) in the Czerny, and the difference between staccato (down-up) and slurred staccato (up-up)
A Solo Piece: Prepare and video record a solo piece. Choose a solo piece that is representative of your overall musical and technical ability. It can be an etude from a methods book that you are studying, or an excerpt of a major piece like a concerto. Solos should be no more than 2 minutes in length. Choose a piece that you are comfortable with, and which has both a technically challenging section, and a more lyric section that can demonstrate your expression.
+ Video audition
Students must audition to join NVYS for the first time. Returning students need not re-audition every year. To audition, please record a short video and upload it for us to review.
Include the 2-octave G or D Major Scale appropriate to your instrument. Play it detache, one long bow per note, at 1/4 note = 60 beats per minute.
Include the Two Excerpts listed for your instrument in the Audition Materials.
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 Audition” button.
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:
anitac@northvalleysymphony.org