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. Auditions are held in September for the Fall session, and February for the Spring session.
Read more about the JHS Conductor: Jonathan DeBruyn
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. Auditions are held in September for the Fall session, and February for the Spring session.
Read more about the JHS Conductor: Jonathan DeBruyn
Auditions
In a normal year, only students in grades 6-10 who are string, wind/brass, and percussion players are invited to audition for JHS. However, this Spring only, we will allow advanced 5th grade students to audition for the 2021 Spring Session with a recommendation from their private teacher. Note that this is a one-session exception due to our online set-up, and JHS will return to a policy of 6th grade+ starting in Fall 2021.
Students 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 can be found on our JHS Audition Registration page. Returning JHS students and new students alike must audition for JHS at the beginning of the season.
In a normal year, only students in grades 6-10 who are string, wind/brass, and percussion players are invited to audition for JHS. However, this Spring only, we will allow advanced 5th grade students to audition for the 2021 Spring Session with a recommendation from their private teacher. Note that this is a one-session exception due to our online set-up, and JHS will return to a policy of 6th grade+ starting in Fall 2021.
Students 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 can be found on our JHS Audition Registration page. Returning JHS students and new students alike must audition for JHS at the beginning of the season.
2020-2021 Update
Due to the challenges presented by Covid-19, the 2020-2021 season will look quite a bit different from past seasons. During the Spring Session (February-April), JHS will operate as an online program, including exciting online synchronous rehearsing, sectionals with coaches, music history study, plus workshops on musicianship! In April, the students will participate in an online concert party celebrating all they will have learned throughout the 10-week session in lieu of a live concert.
JHS may consider moving its online programming for the Spring to in-person rehearsals if local health authorities deem it safe to do so. Either way, we plan to deliver quality musical content to the students of the mid-Willamette Valley, as CYSA has done for the past 38 years!
Due to the challenges presented by Covid-19, the 2020-2021 season will look quite a bit different from past seasons. During the Spring Session (February-April), JHS will operate as an online program, including exciting online synchronous rehearsing, sectionals with coaches, music history study, plus workshops on musicianship! In April, the students will participate in an online concert party celebrating all they will have learned throughout the 10-week session in lieu of a live concert.
JHS may consider moving its online programming for the Spring to in-person rehearsals if local health authorities deem it safe to do so. Either way, we plan to deliver quality musical content to the students of the mid-Willamette Valley, as CYSA has done for the past 38 years!
Rehearsals
JHS rehearsals are held on Tuesday nights, 7-8:30pm, at Crescent Valley High School (or online). The Fall session runs from the first week of October-December concert, and the Spring session runs from the end of February-April concert.
JHS rehearsals are held on Tuesday nights, 7-8:30pm, at Crescent Valley High School (or online). The Fall session runs from the first week of October-December concert, and the Spring session runs from the end of February-April concert.
Performances
The JHS season typically includes two formal concerts at the LaSells Stewart Center.
Given the ever-changing nature of the public health crisis posed by Covid-19, we are making concert plans based on current local and state health authorities.
For now, JHS will have performances or online presentations on these dates:
The JHS season typically includes two formal concerts at the LaSells Stewart Center.
Given the ever-changing nature of the public health crisis posed by Covid-19, we are making concert plans based on current local and state health authorities.
For now, JHS will have performances or online presentations on these dates:
- Sunday, December 13, 2020 - online presentation
- Sunday, April 25, 2021 at 2:30pm - LaSells Stewart Center (or online)
Fees
Tuition for JHS (both sessions) is $450. Please participate for both sessions if you are able to!
If you are only able to participate for one session, tuition for ONE session only is $250.
Financial aid is available for families with significant financial need (application required).
Tuition for JHS (both sessions) is $450. Please participate for both sessions if you are able to!
If you are only able to participate for one session, tuition for ONE session only is $250.
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, Megan Anderson (anderson.megan.e.z@gmail.com).