Willamette Valley Junior Honors Symphony
History
The Willamette Valley Junior Honors Symphony (JHS) was founded in 1985 by two public school strings teachers, Carol Huntington and Liane Ingalls, who wanted to provide middle school students with the opportunity to perform in a full symphonic ensemble. The program served a very real need in a community which enthusiastically supported music for children, and the program grew.
JHS is now under the aegis of the Corvallis Youth Symphony Association and has broadened its membership to include a wider age span. Typically, the orchestra has over 60 musicians from 6th-10th grade.
Training
JHS students receive exceptional orchestral training. JHS conductor, George Thomson, selects classical repertoire that will challenge and inspire students. Twice per year, JHS holds a day-long retreat where sectional rehearsals are held (i.e., each section of the orchestra rehearses by itself) and for these rehearsals, professional musicians from Oregon orchestras and faculty from area music schools are brought in to coach the students.
The JHS season takes place October through April!
The full season is broken into a Fall (October-December) and Spring (January-April) Session. Students may participate for the full year or one session only.
The Willamette Valley Junior Honors Symphony (JHS) was founded in 1985 by two public school strings teachers, Carol Huntington and Liane Ingalls, who wanted to provide middle school students with the opportunity to perform in a full symphonic ensemble. The program served a very real need in a community which enthusiastically supported music for children, and the program grew.
JHS is now under the aegis of the Corvallis Youth Symphony Association and has broadened its membership to include a wider age span. Typically, the orchestra has over 60 musicians from 6th-10th grade.
Training
JHS students receive exceptional orchestral training. JHS conductor, George Thomson, selects classical repertoire that will challenge and inspire students. Twice per year, JHS holds a day-long retreat where sectional rehearsals are held (i.e., each section of the orchestra rehearses by itself) and for these rehearsals, professional musicians from Oregon orchestras and faculty from area music schools are brought in to coach the students.
The JHS season takes place October through April!
The full season is broken into a Fall (October-December) and Spring (January-April) Session. Students may participate for the full year or one session only.
Auditions
Membership is by audition only. Students interested in joining JHS should be dedicated musicians who want to be part of a fine ensemble, and who will enjoy classical symphonic music. Students must be members of their school/district band or orchestra program in order to participate.
Returning JHS students and new students alike must audition for JHS at the beginning of the season or session. Auditions for the 2023-2024 season will take place in person on September 19th and 20th.
Membership is by audition only. Students interested in joining JHS should be dedicated musicians who want to be part of a fine ensemble, and who will enjoy classical symphonic music. Students must be members of their school/district band or orchestra program in order to participate.
Returning JHS students and new students alike must audition for JHS at the beginning of the season or session. Auditions for the 2023-2024 season will take place in person on September 19th and 20th.
Rehearsals
JHS rehearsals are held from 6:30-8:00pm on Tuesday evenings.
JHS rehearsals are held from 6:30-8:00pm on Tuesday evenings.
Performances
The JHS season typically includes two formal concerts at the LaSells Stewart Center and one mid season concert at Crescent Valley High School.
JHS will have performances on these dates:
The JHS season typically includes two formal concerts at the LaSells Stewart Center and one mid season concert at Crescent Valley High School.
JHS will have performances on these dates:
- Sunday, December 10, 2023 - LaSells Stewart Center 2:30pm
- February 10, 2024 - Crescent Valley High School 4:00pm (Mid Season Concert)
- Sunday, April 28, 2024 - LaSells Stewart Center 2:30pm
Fees
Tuition for 2023-24 Season is $550. Please participate for the full season if you are able to!
If a student can only participate for the Fall (October-December) or the Spring (January-April) session only:
Tuition for the Fall session is $225, and tuition for the Spring session is $325.
Financial aid is available for families with significant financial need (application required; email cysassoc@peak.org for an application).
In the form below, enter Parent/Guardian information in the "Your Details" section.
Tuition for 2023-24 Season is $550. Please participate for the full season if you are able to!
If a student can only participate for the Fall (October-December) or the Spring (January-April) session only:
Tuition for the Fall session is $225, and tuition for the Spring session is $325.
Financial aid is available for families with significant financial need (application required; email cysassoc@peak.org for an application).
In the form below, enter Parent/Guardian information in the "Your Details" section.
JHS Tuition
If you would rather mail a check to pay JHS Tuition:
Make the check out to CYSA, include your student's name and "JHS" in the Memo, and send to:
Corvallis Youth Symphony Association
P.O. Box 857
Corvallis, OR 97339
Make the check out to CYSA, include your student's name and "JHS" in the Memo, and send to:
Corvallis Youth Symphony Association
P.O. Box 857
Corvallis, OR 97339
If you have any other questions, contact the CYSA Orchestra Manager, Bettine Rehr-Zimmermann (bettine.zimmermann.cysa@gmail.com).