Since 1965, the Niagara Youth Orchestra (NYO) has been offering musical training and education for young musicians in the Niagara Region and upper New York State, through professional coaching, orchestra rehearsals and concerts. Founding conductor Paul van Dongen started rehearsals with the St. Catharines Junior Symphony in the fall of 1965. The orchestra was later renamed the St. Catharines Youth Orchestra and was a part of the Niagara Symphony’s education program. In 1980, the orchestra became an independent organization and took the name the Niagara Youth Orchestra.
In response to a demand for more opportunities for younger, less experienced musicians, the Junior Ensemble Program was initiated in 1985. By 1993, the program had grown into the Junior Niagara Youth Orchestra. The JNYO provides early training to young musicians and prepares them for the level of experience and expertise required in the Senior Orchestra. The Niagara Youth Orchestra Association continues to operate both orchestras, each with full coaching, rehearsing and performing opportunities.
Over the past 45 years, the NYO has helped music students in Niagara reach high levels of accomplishment. Many have gone on to careers in music and music education, and some return to perform as guest soloists with the NYO. The NYOA regularly organizes concert tours of Europe and Canada for the musicians of the NYO, including performances at festivals. The NYO has released two recordings: a vinyl record in the early 1970s and “Performance ’98″ in CD and cassette format, in the spring of 1998.
Most NYO members go on to careers in areas outside of music. Their time in the orchestra helps them develop many skills important in all walks of life – discipline, goal-setting, time management, collaborative achievement, etc. As well, they learn more about music and develop an appreciation for the arts that goes beyond the experience of most students.
For the members of the Niagara Youth Orchestras, both Junior and Senior, the new performing arts centre will be an important part of their training. The work and discipline that is required of NYO musicians will be rewarded in the new Recital Hall. With the focus on excellent acoustics for music, the Recital Hall will give the students the opportunity to hear themselves sound their best, which in turn will inspire them to work harder to improve their skills. The professional level stage and support areas will give the NYOA the room to grow and build the orchestras so that more students will be able to benefit from the opportunities that high level music education affords.
We are excited about performing in the new centre and look forward to its completion in 2014!
Niagara Youth Orchestra
In response to a demand for more opportunities for younger, less experienced musicians, the Junior Ensemble Program was initiated in 1985. By 1993, the program had grown into the Junior Niagara Youth Orchestra. The JNYO provides early training to young musicians and prepares them for the level of experience and expertise required in the Senior Orchestra. The Niagara Youth Orchestra Association continues to operate both orchestras, each with full coaching, rehearsing and performing opportunities.
Over the past 45 years, the NYO has helped music students in Niagara reach high levels of accomplishment. Many have gone on to careers in music and music education, and some return to perform as guest soloists with the NYO. The NYOA regularly organizes concert tours of Europe and Canada for the musicians of the NYO, including performances at festivals. The NYO has released two recordings: a vinyl record in the early 1970s and “Performance ’98″ in CD and cassette format, in the spring of 1998.
Most NYO members go on to careers in areas outside of music. Their time in the orchestra helps them develop many skills important in all walks of life – discipline, goal-setting, time management, collaborative achievement, etc. As well, they learn more about music and develop an appreciation for the arts that goes beyond the experience of most students.
For the members of the Niagara Youth Orchestras, both Junior and Senior, the new performing arts centre will be an important part of their training. The work and discipline that is required of NYO musicians will be rewarded in the new Recital Hall. With the focus on excellent acoustics for music, the Recital Hall will give the students the opportunity to hear themselves sound their best, which in turn will inspire them to work harder to improve their skills. The professional level stage and support areas will give the NYOA the room to grow and build the orchestras so that more students will be able to benefit from the opportunities that high level music education affords.
We are excited about performing in the new centre and look forward to its completion in 2014!