TOPEKA SYMPHONY YOUTH ENSEMBLES Youth Ensembles History The Topeka Symphony Youth Orchestra was formed in 1957, just 11 years after the Topeka Symphony Orchestra’s first season.  “Providing educational and performance opportunities for youth” has been an important priority of the Topeka Symphony Society since very early in its history.  The Youth Orchestra was established to encourage talented young musicians to pursue their musical interests. The Topeka Symphony Debut Orchestra was formed in 1998 to meet the needs of a growing number of young string instrument players. Two years later, the Youth Philharmonic was formed to serve primarily middle school aged string musicians. It is the preparatory orchestra for the Topeka Symphony Youth Orchestra.  Tuition Once a musician has been accepted into one of the orchestras, there is a non-refundable tuition fee of $55 each student per year for the Debut Orchestra or $75 for each student per year for the Youth Philharmonic and Youth Orchestra, which includes music charges and rental. Tuition assistance is available for those families with a need. Membership Requirements Any musician 21 years of age and younger may audition for one of the three Youth Ensembles.  To be a member of one of these ensembles, a student who plays a string instrument agrees to play in his or her school orchestra, if available and a student who plays a wind, brass or percussion instrument agrees to play in his or her school band, if available. This requirement may be waived by the school conductor if there are extenuating circumstances. A signed letter from the appropriate school conductor excusing the student from the school orchestra or band must be sent to the Topeka Symphony office prior to the first Youth Ensemble rehearsal. A musician whose school does not have a music program for his/her instrument, or who is home schooled,  is strongly encouraged to participate in other musical ensembles. Rehearsals will take place on Tuesdays starting September 6 during the 2011-2012 season The Topeka Symphony Youth Orchestra Jeremy Starr, Conductor The Topeka Symphony Youth Orchestra convened for the first time in 1957, under the sponsorship of the Topeka Symphony Society and led by Mr. Robert Hallman. Its mission is to provide young musicians the opportunity to play in a symphony orchestra with their peers from high schools throughout northeastern Kansas. Directed by Jeremy Starr, the orchestra today boasts over 70 members from the Topeka area and northeast Kansas. The Topeka Symphony Youth Philharmonic Carolyn Rich Voth, Conductor To meet the growing demand for high quality orchestral experiences for youth, in the year 2000 the Topeka Symphony expanded its Youth Ensembles Program to include a third group, the Youth Philharmonic. The Philharmonic is the preparatory orchestra for the Topeka Symphony Youth Orchestra. The Topeka Symphony Debut Orchestra Carolyn Sandquist, Conductor The Debut Orchestra was formed in 1998 to satisfy the needs of a growing number of young stringed instrument players. The Debut Orchestra is a string orchestra of violins, violas, cellos, and basses.