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THE CYS 2019-2020 CONCERT SEASON

CONCERT DATES TIMES EVENT LOCATION
November 17 11:30 AM Reh
2:30 PM Concert
Season Opener San Mateo Performing Arts Center (P.A.C.)
December 8 11:00 AM Reh
2:30 PM Concert
Holiday Concert
AO|SO
San Mateo P.A.C.
March 8 (CANCELED) Travel Day
EARLY.Departure
11:00 AM Reh
2:00 PM Concert
Spring Concert Amaral Family Center,
Nevada County Fairgrounds,
Grass Valley, CA
March 15 (CANCELED) 11:00 AM Reh
2:30 PM Concert
Spring Concert San Mateo P.A.C.
May 31 11:30 AM Reh
2:30 PM Concert
Season Finale Concert San Jose Center for the
Performing Arts (CPA)
June 21
(Father's Day)
11:30 AM Reh
2:30 PM Concert
Buen Viaje Concert San Mateo P.A.C.

11:30 AM Rehearsals; 2:30 PM Concerts, unless otherwise indicated. Tickets will be available at no cost to members, with the exception of the March 8 Grass Valley concert and May 31 Season Finale concert. Students are allowed to sell General Admission, General Family, or Family Season tickets, for which they get to keep entire proceeds.

* March 8 - Amaral Family Center, Nevada County Fairgrounds, Grass Valley, CA - Bus transportation provided for students. Details TBD.


FULL SEASON CALENDAR

DATES EVENT LOCATION NOTES
September 7
(Saturday)
Seating Auditions Almond Elem. Sch. Scheduled by Section
September 8 Orientation Meeting
(Musicians & Parents)

First rehearsal of the season!
3:30-6:00 PM
Almond Elem. Sch. (Updated 9/2)
2:15-3:15 PM Meeting

Extended Rehearsal
September 15 Photo Day | City Photos | Graduating Senior Photos

Regular Rehearsal
2:30 - 5:30 PM
Almond Elem. Sch. 1:00 PM
Arrive in concert attire!
September 22 Regular Rehearsal Almond Elem. Sch. Updated 9/2
(Previously a workshop day)
September 29 Workshop: 2:15-6:00 PM

Bulk Mailing Day for Parents
2:30-5:30 PM
SJSU Music Bldg. Extended Rehearsal

Updated 9/2
(Bulk Mailing Previously Sept. 8)
October 6 Regular Rehearsal Almond Elem. Sch.
October 13 Workshop: 2:15-6:00 PM SJSU Music Bldg. Updated 9/2
(Previously Sept. 22)
Extended Rehearsal
October 20 Regular Rehearsal Almond Elem. Sch.
October 27 Regular Rehearsal Almond Elem. Sch.
November 3 Regular Rehearsal Almond Elem. Sch.
November 10 DRESS REHEARSAL Almond Elem. Sch.
November 17 CONCERT DAY! San Mateo Performing Arts Center (SMPAC) Season Opener Concert
November 24 DRESS REHEARSAL Almond Elem. Sch.
December 1
(Thanksgiving Weekend)
NO Rehearsal
Thanksgiving Weekend
December 7
(Saturday)
Graduating Senior - Concerto Competition Almond Elem. Sch. Refer to Concerto Competition page for details
December 8 CONCERT DAY!

SUNDAY FRIENDS
TOY DRIVE
San Mateo P.A.C. AO|SO Holiday Concert

Refer to newsletter about Sunday Friends Toy Drive
December 15 No Rehearsal
Winter Break

Happy Holidays!
December 22 No Rehearsal
Winter Break

Happy Holidays!
December 29 No Rehearsal
Winter Break

Happy Holidays!
January 5 Rehearsal resumes Almond Elem. Sch.
January 12 Workshop: 2:15-6:00 PM To Be Determined (TBD)
January 19
(MLK Weekend)
Regular Rehearsal Almond Elem. Sch.
January 26 Workshop: 2:15-6:00 PM TBD
February 2 Regular Rehearsal Almond Elem. Sch.
February 9 Regular Rehearsal Almond Elem. Sch.
February 16
(President's Day Weekend)
Regular Rehearsal Almond Elem. Sch. President's Day Weekend
February 23 Regular Rehearsal Almond Elem. Sch.
March 1 Evening Dress Rehearsal |
4:00 - 6:00 PM
Cañada College Theater,
Redwood City

March 8 (CANCELED) CONCERT DAY! Amaral Family Center,
Nevada County Fairgrounds,
Grass Valley, CA
Spring Concert
EARLY DEPARTURE DAY &
LATE ARRIVAL
March 15 (CANCELED) CONCERT DAY! San Mateo P.A.C. Spring Concert
March 22 (CANCELED) Regular Rehearsal Almond Elem. Sch.
March 29 (CANCELED) Workshop: 2:15-6:00 PM (CANCELED)
April 4 - 11 Violin 2 to Violin 1 Auditions VIDEO AUDITIONS DUE
April 5 (CANCELED) Workshop: 2:15-6:00 PM (CANCELED)
April 12
(Easter)
NO Rehearsal
Easter Sunday
April 19 (CANCELED) Regular Rehearsal Almond Elem. Sch.
April 26 (CANCELED) Regular Rehearsal Almond Elem. Sch.
May 3 (CANCELED) Regular Rehearsal Almond Elem. Sch.
May 10
(Mother's Day)
REGULAR Rehearsal! Almond Elem. Sch. Happy Mother's Day!
May 17 Regular Rehearsal Almond Elem. Sch.
May 24
(Memorial Day Weekend)
EVENING DRESS REHEARSAL |
4:30 - 7:30 PM
SMPAC CANCELLED - LOCATION TBD Memorial Day Weekend
EVENING DRESS REHEARSAL
May 31 CONCERT DAY! San Jose Center for the
Performing Arts
Season Finale Concert
May 31 Graduating Senior Dinner | 6:00 PM TBD Congradulations, Graduating Seniors!
June 7 - 16 NO Rehearsals
Happy Break
June 17 Tour Evening Rehearsal |
6:30 - 9:30 PM
Almond Elem. Sch.
June 18 Tour Evening Rehearsal |
6:30 - 9:30 PM
Almond Elem. Sch.
June 19 Tour Evening Rehearsal |
6:30 - 9:30 PM
Almond Elem. Sch.
June 20 Tour Evening Rehearsal |
6:30 - 9:30 PM
Almond Elem. Sch.
June 21
(Father's Day)
CONCERT DAY! San Mateo P.A.C. Happy Father's Day!

Tour Preview Concert
June 24 - July 6 2020 Summer Tour Chile & Argentina Happy Touring!
July 6 - 8 Optional Tour Extension to Iguazu Falls Argentina The fun continues!
.


LOOKING AHEAD...


August 1 - 8 Summer Camp! Redwood Glen,
Loma Mar, CA
The 2020-2021 Season begins!

* Changes made as of September 2019. This schedule supersedes any previously published calendars.


Senior Orchestra Calendar

GOOGLE CALENDAR

Click on the icon to view the Senior Orchestra season calendar. You have the option of importing this calendar to your own personal calendars by clicking on the Google Icon at the bottom right corner of the calendar page.

SUMMER CAMP

Each summer, the Symphony Orchestra starts off the season with a mandatory summer camp which takes place from Saturday afternoon through Saturday morning on the first week of August. This annual event involves full orchestra rehearsals, sectionals, and social opportunities for the students.

WEEKLY REHEARSALS

Weekly Sunday rehearsals are held from 2:30 - 5:30 PM (occasionally 2:30 - 6:00 PM) inside the Multipurpose Room at Almond Elementary School, 550 Almond Avenue, Los Altos, CA 94022, unless otherwise indicated. Please arrive 15 minutes early to get your instrument out and tuned. We also need the additional help of students and parents to clean the rehearsal room each week. Rehearsal schedule is subject to change at the discretion of the Music Director. Please refer to the newsletters provided throughout the season and this site for further details.

REHEARSALS ONE WEEK PRIOR TO THE CONCERT

Attendance at rehearsal one week prior to the concert is mandatory. This is when any extra players arrive and/or or private teachers of the soloists attend to work with the orchestra. Students are not required to wear concert dress for these rehearsals.

CONCERT DAY DRESS REHEARSALS

The rehearsals are an opportunity for the students to become familiar with the acoustics and conquer nerves associated with playing on stage before the actual performance. These rehearsals are crucial for the students to feel comfortable on stage and thus give their best performance at the concert. Students are not required to wear concert dress for these rehearsals, except for the last concert of the season in May. Attendance at dress rehearsals is mandatory.

CONCERT ATTIRE

Option A: Black dress slacks, black long-sleeved collared dress shirt (button-up) with long black tie. Black socks, shined black shoes. 

Option B: Black ankle-length dress/skirt/dress slacks with black blouse that cover shoulders. Black socks, stockings, tights, black polished dress shoes. 

NOTE: Black shoes (no tennis shoes), black socks/stockings/tights. No shiny or sparkling jewelry, hair ornaments, belts or other accessories. Back, shoulders and midriffs must remain completely covered in all postures.

WORKSHOPS

We hold six (6) mandatory workshops designed to provide additional assistance in preparing season repertoire. Workshop schedule is from 2:15 - 6:00 PM. Please note the different times and locations. The first half of the workshop is combined sectionals. Full orchestra resumes from 4:30 - 6:00 PM. 

What to bring to rehearsals & workshops:

  1. Your music. CYS will charge $25 to replace lost music.
  2. Music stand (important)
  3. A pencil (always have this ready)
  4. Extra reeds, strings, mutes, tuners, slide/valve oil, etc.

REHEARSAL HALL friendly reminders:

  • Please put your instrument cases to the sides of the room or on stage, neatly out of the walkway and not next to your chairs (even if you sit at the very back of the section). This also applies to winds & brass, take only what you need to your chair. 
  • Please clean-up after yourselves. Please also keep the washrooms tidy.
  • Let's help keep our rehearsal room clean by picking up little items off the floor (i.e. napkins, pencils, water bottles, etc), even if the item does not belong to you.
  • Eat your snacks, sip your drinks outside the rehearsal room and, please, do not make a mess outside.

TOURING

California Youth Symphony has enjoyed a rich tradition of international touring. In 1963, CYS became the first American youth orchestra ever to tour overseas when we accepted an invitation to visit Japan. Over the following years, twenty-two (22) additional tours to all parts of the world have earned us universal praise. This rich tradition of international touring provides students with unparalleled experiences and invaluable opportunities to perform abroad in internationally prestigious venues, as well as to experience different cultures. CYS tours are an amazing bonding experience for students and a preciously cherished memory for alumni. Biennial tours occur on even-numbered ending seasons (i.e. 2019-2020).

GRADUATING SENIOR CONCERTO COMPETITION

The CYS Senior Orchestra holds an annual Concerto Competition in December, offering its current graduating seniors an exciting opportunity to showcase their talent on our season finale concerts in May. Winners perform either a movement from a concerto or a one movement concert piece accompanied by the CYS Senior Orchestra. Complete guidelines and application are listed on the Concerto Competition page.

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