Who are we?
Skill Level: Intermediate
Geared towards those who have more developed music skills, NVYS comprises middle school to high school aged students. Building off basic music skills, students will learn techniques like shifting, vibrato, and bow control. Students must have studied their instruments for 2-3 years and completed Suzuki Book 3 or equivalent before joining this ensemble. Private lessons or participation in school ensembles is highly encouraged.
Director
Chuck Stewart earned a Master of Music degree in Orchestral Conducting from Ball State University where he studied with Douglas Droste. He studied conducting further at the Pierre Monteux School and Music Festival, and with renowned conductors and pedagogues such as Gerard Schwartz, Larry Livingston, Donald Schleicher, Victor Yampolsky, Gary Lewis, Markand Thakar, and Michael Jinbo. Stewart holds Bachelors’ degrees in both Music Education and Music Performance from Oklahoma State University.
Stewart is currently the Director of Orchestras at BASIS Phoenix, and serves as a regular guest conductor with the Chandler Symphony Orchestra and the Scottsdale Symphonic Orchestra. Stewart previously served as Assistant Conductor of the Muncie Symphony Orchestra in Muncie, Indiana, Music Director and Conductor of the East Central Indiana Chamber Orchestra, Music Director and Conductor of the Youth Orchestras of East Central Indiana, Graduate Assistant Conductor of the Ball State Symphony Orchestra, Conductor of the Ball State Campus Orchestra, and Music Director of the Ball State Pocket Opera.
Originally from Oklahoma, Stewart and his wife, Karen, currently live in Gilbert with their son, Gavin, and dog, CJ.
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 December 9 - Final Fall Semester Rehearsal/Christmas Caroling Party
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
+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
- Half Season Tuition (Spring 2025) $150
- Sibling discounts of $100 ($50/semester) are available.
- Financial assistance from the LEMM scholarship fund may be available upon request.
+ Acceptance to NVYS
If you would like to join NVYS, you should send a note through our "Contact Us" page. In the message please provide your name, and describe your age/grade, years playing your instrument, your training and your experience. This will help us place you in the correct youth ensemble.
+ Optional Video Audition
You may also upload a short video if you would like. This is optional, but may help us better know your capabilites.
Include the following Scales - one played detache, and one played slur 4, at about 60-70 BPM:
Violin - 2-Octave C major scale and arpeggio
Viola and Cello - 2-Octave D major scale and arpeggio
Contrabass - 1-Octave G major scale and arpeggio.
Include a Solo Piece from your current techniques book or a concerto you are working on. 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 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.
+ 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.
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