Ridgewood Symphony Orchestra Festival Strings 2010
An Educationl Outreach Program

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About Festival Strings

This is an invitation to participate in Festival Strings 2010. Sponsored by the Ridgewood Symphony Orchestra, Festival Strings is an all-string orchestra of more than 100 young musicians who come together for five intense rehearsals and a wonderful concert each winter. This year’s concert will be at Benjamin Franklin Middle School, Ridgewood, NJ, on Saturday, February 13, 2010.

The conductor for Festival Strings 2010 is Todd Van Beveren. He is pleased to be conducting the Ridgewood Festival Strings for the third time.  Mr. Van Beveren is the artistic director of the Northern NJ Youth Orchestra which is celebrating its 16th season. He is also the Performance Chairman for the NJ All State Orchestra, conductor of the Montclair Chamber Ensemble and is the Orchestra Director at Columbia High School. Mr. Van Beveren is always pleased to return to the Ridgewood Festival Strings where he played violin in the orchestra's first year.

To qualify for participation in this orchestra, students must be in grades 6-9 and a member of their school orchestra (if there is one). Abilities on their instruments must include a command of first position, with extensions and accidentals, and facility in the higher positions for more advanced sections of the orchestra.  

Students will be notified of their acceptance with a package of music after Christmas. It is extremely important that all pieces are learned before rehearsals begin. Seating auditions will be part of the second rehearsal. Festival Strings participants are expected to attend all rehearsals.

Parents must complete the Parent Volunteer Form. Please fill out all dates and times when you could be available to help out at rehearsals, or in other capacities. Parent volunteer assignments will be included with the student’s acceptance package.

Fee: Check for $60 payable to “Ridgewood Symphony Orchestra”
(need-based scholarships are available)

Questions: Contact orchestra manager Karin Todd or Ellen Hill at 201-612-0118 (press #5) or email: Admin@ridgewoodsymphony.org (please put "Festival Strings" in the subject line)

APPLICATION DEADLINE: Tuesday, December 1, 2009

Click Here for Printable Forms: Student Application Form   Parent Participation Form

Mail completed forms and your check to:
RSO Festival Strings
P.O. Box 176
Ridgewood, NJ 07450