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, Jonathan Debruyn, 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.
2021-2022 Season Update
We are excited to announce the expansion of the JHS program from two 10-week sessions to a continuous season October through April! The expanded season will include an additional concert in early February. We are thrilled our younger students will be able to participate in a longer season with more opportunities to perform, learn, and grow in their musicianship.
The full season will be broken into a Fall (October-December) and Spring (January-April) Session. Students may participate for the full year or one session only.
JHS plans to meet and rehearse in person for the 2021-2022 season if it is safe to do so. All programing decision will be based on the Oregon Health Authority and school district guidelines. Final decisions will be announced in August of 2021.
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, Jonathan Debruyn, 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.
2021-2022 Season Update
We are excited to announce the expansion of the JHS program from two 10-week sessions to a continuous season October through April! The expanded season will include an additional concert in early February. We are thrilled our younger students will be able to participate in a longer season with more opportunities to perform, learn, and grow in their musicianship.
The full season will be broken into a Fall (October-December) and Spring (January-April) Session. Students may participate for the full year or one session only.
JHS plans to meet and rehearse in person for the 2021-2022 season if it is safe to do so. All programing decision will be based on the Oregon Health Authority and school district guidelines. Final decisions will be announced in August of 2021.
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.
Audition requirements and information for the 2021-2022 season will be published in August. Returning JHS students and new students alike must audition for JHS at the beginning of the season or session.
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.
Audition requirements and information for the 2021-2022 season will be published in August. Returning JHS students and new students alike must audition for JHS at the beginning of the season or session.
Rehearsals
Due to parent and student feedback, JHS rehearsals will now be held from 6:30-8:00pm on Tuesday evenings. Rehearsals for the 2021-2022 season begin October 5th.
Due to parent and student feedback, JHS rehearsals will now be held from 6:30-8:00pm on Tuesday evenings. Rehearsals for the 2021-2022 season begin October 5th.
Performances
The JHS season typically includes two formal concerts at the LaSells Stewart Center. With the expansion of the program this year, there will be an additional Mid-Season Concert in early February.
JHS will have performances on these dates:
The JHS season typically includes two formal concerts at the LaSells Stewart Center. With the expansion of the program this year, there will be an additional Mid-Season Concert in early February.
JHS will have performances on these dates:
- Sunday, December 12, 2021 - LaSells Stewart Center 2:30pm
- Mid Season Concert - (TBD, Early February 2022)
- Sunday, April 24, 2022 - LaSells Stewart Center 2:30pm
Fees
Tuition for 2021-22 Season is $500. 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: Tuition for the Fall session is $200, and tuition for the Spring session is $300.
Financial aid is available for families with significant financial need (application required).
Tuition for 2021-22 Season is $500. 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: Tuition for the Fall session is $200, and tuition for the Spring session is $300.
Financial aid is available for families with significant financial need (application required).
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).