Pocono Youth Orchestra - Membership Requirements

Membership Requirements

Membership in the program of the Pocono Junior String Orchestra and the Pocono Youth Orchestra is open to players of orchestral instruments of elementary and secondary school age, and players of wind and percussion instruments of secondary school age, without regard to race, creed or national origin. Auditions are required for membership. The level of placement in the orchestras will be determined by the director, however participation is limited only by a player's musical ability and the commitment to attend rehearsals regularly.

Weekly rehearsals take place on Monday evenings from September to June at Stroudsburg Junior High School. Concerts are presented twice a year in the Cecilia S. Cohen Recital Hall at East Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania.

ThePocono Junior String Orchestra (PJSO) is a string ensemble open to Elementary and Junior High School string instrumentalists with more than two years of instruction. Some of the requirements include:

Audition
Ability to read music
Understand and use a system of counting while playing
Make a commitment to regular attendance to rehearsals as well as consistent home practice. All music must be studied at home, so that rehearsal time is spent primarily on artistic ensemble preparation.

ThePocono Youth Orchestra (PYO) is a full symphony orchestra open to Senior High School musicians or accomplished Junior High School instrumentalists. The PYO offers a training program in orchestral performance. Small chamber ensembles are developed from within the orchestra. Some of the requirements include:

Audition
Read music easily at the grade 4 (medium) level of difficulty
Play in keys up to 4 sharps and 4 flats with ease
Demonstrate a maturity of tone quality, and be capable of blending with other musicians
Evidence of these qualities shall be determined by the director
String instrumentalists must demonstrate the ability to use a variety of bowings, including detache, martele, staccato, spiccato, loure, tremolo, and hooked bowings; also a variety of tonal techniques, including pizzicato, harmonics, sul ponticello, sul tasto, con sordino and col legno. Also come prepared with an extra set of strings and a mute!