Festival Strings 2009: an educational outreach program
sponsored by the Ridgewood Symphony Orchestra

This is an invitation to participate in Festival Strings 2009! 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 31, 2009.

The conductor for Festival Strings 2009 is Todd Van Beveren. He is pleased to be conducting the Ridgewood Festival Strings for the second time. Mr. Van Beveren is the artistic director of the Northern NJ Youth Orchestra which is celebrating it's 15th season. Mr.Van Beveren is also the Performance Chairman for the NJ All State Orchestra and is the Orchestra Director at Columbia High School. He is pleased to be coming back to Ridgewood Festival Strings where he played violin in the orchestras' 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.

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 ext. #5, for an application.

Rehearsals at Ridgewood United Methodist Church:
Tuesday, January 13, 2009 4:30-8:00 p.m.
Tuesday, January 20, 2009, 4:30-8:00 p.m.
Tuesday, January 27, 2009, 4:30-8:00 p.m.
Thursday, January 29, 2009, 4:30-8:00 p.m.
Dress rehearsal at Benjamin Franklin Middle School, Ridgewood, Saturday, January 31, 2009, 3:30-5:00 p.m.

Concert at Benjamin Franklin Middle School, Saturday, January 31, 2009, 8:00 p.m.

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 at 201-612-0118 (press #5) or email: Admin@ridgewoodsymphony.org