Festival Strings 2008 an educational outreach program
sponsored by the Ridgewood Symphony Orchestra

This is an invitation to participate in Festival Strings 2008! 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, January 26, 2008. All parents, teachers, family, and friends are invited to attend.

The conductor for Festival Strings 2008 will be Gary S. Fagin, conductor of the Ridgewood Symphony Orchestra and the Bucks County Symphony in Pennsylvania. Mr. Fagin is also director of the New York Conducting Institute.

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.

There is no limit to the number of qualified students that each school or teacher may send. Feel free to duplicate this information page and the enclosed forms. All forms will also be available on the Ridgewood Symphony Orchestra website: www.ridgewoodsymphony.org. Musicians in grades 10-12 who are former members of Festival Strings are welcome as Rehearsal Assistants. Contact the RSO at 201-612-0118 for an application.

Rehearsals at Ridgewood United Methodist Church:
Tuesday, January 8, 2008 4:00-7:30 p.m.
Tuesday, January 15, 2008, 4:00-7:30 p.m.
Tuesday, January 22, 2008, 4:00-7:30 p.m.
Thursday, January 24, 2008, 4:00-7:30 p.m.
Dress rehearsal at Benjamin Franklin Middle School, Ridgewood, Saturday, January 26, 2008, 3:30-5:00 p.m.

Concert at Benjamin Franklin Middle School, Saturday, January 26, 2008, 8 p.m.

Students will be notified of their acceptance with a package of music in the mail in late December. It is extremely important that all pieces are learned before rehearsals begin. Seating auditions will be part of the second rehearsal. Orchestra 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 $55 payable to “Ridgewood Symphony Orchestra” (need-based scholarships are available)
Questions: Contact orchestra manager Karin Todd at 201-612-0118 (press #5)

Mail Student Application Form, Parent Participation Form, and check to:
RSO Festival Strings
P.O. Box 176
Ridgewood, NJ 07450