New World Youth Orchestras

New World Youth Orchestras is an organization created by Susan Kitterman in 1985 in Indianapolis, Indiana. Currently it consists of three separate orchestras each conducted by a different director. They are:

• New World Symphony Orchestra, directed by Susan Kitterman
• New World Philharmonic Orchestra, directed by James Spinazolla
• New World Concert Orchestra, directed by Ardis Faber

The Symphony and Philharmonic play three concerts every year, two of which are held at Hilbert Circle Theatre in downtown Indianapolis.

History

In 1982, Susan Kitterman founded a chamber orchestra that would provide a unique, high quality musical experience for young musicians in Central Indiana. Under Mrs. Kitterman's direction, the New World Chamber Orchestra has matured artistically, grown in size, increased its performance and educational opportunities, and received high acclaim from the community. The 100 member fully instrumented orchestra is now known as the New World Youth Symphony Orchestra, with members ranging in age from 10 to 18 years.

Established in 1991 to meet the needs of younger string players, the Indianapolis Youth Orchestra has expanded its size and capability to perform repertoire requiring full instrumentation. The New World Chamber Ensembles are composed of selected musicians from each orchestra.

In 2005, New World entered a new era by expanding to a third orchestra, New World Youth Concert Orchestra, which serves the needs of elementary level string players. At the same time, the Indianapolis Youth Orchestra was renamed the New World Youth Philharmonic Orchestra.

The New World Youth Orchestras annually sponsor a concerto competition with two divisions: a junior level for musicians through age 13, and a senior level for high school musicians between the ages of 14 and 18. The winners are awarded cash prizes and the opportunity to perform with New World Youth Symphony Orchestra. The Philharmonic sponsors an internal Concerto Competition each season.

In recent years, the New World Youth Symphony Orchestra has performed with other youth and professional organizations with exciting results. Joint concerts with the Indianapolis Children's Choir, Indianapolis Youth Chorale, Indianapolis Arts Chorale, Indianapolis Chamber Orchestra, and Butler University Choirs have been extremely rewarding. Since 1993, the orchestra annually opens its concert season at the Hilbert Circle Theatre, home of the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra. These highly successful concerts have featured the retired concertmaster of the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra, Hidetaro Suzuki; internationally acclaimed cellist, Janos Starker; former Indianapolis Mayor William Hudnut; pianist Zeyda Ruga Suzuki; Michael Isaac Strauss, principal violist of the Indianapolis Symphony; actor Clancy Brown; cellist David Darling; Corey Cerovsek; International Violin Competition of Indianapolis laureate Svetlin Roussev; Marianne Tobias, pianist and program annotator; Scott Hostettler, New World alumnus and Chicago Symphony oboist; Grace Fong, pianist and professor at Chapman University; Frank Glover, jazz musician and Indianapolis native; and world-renowned trumpeter Allen Vizzutti.

Orchestra members participate in a variety of enriching activities, including master classes, section coaching, intensive rehearsal retreats, and visits to collegiate music schools in Indiana. Butler University, Ball State University, and Indiana University have generously provided coaching and space for rehearsals and workshops. Many of our young musicians also attend summer music camps and participate in concerto competitions, including the Indiana All-State Orchestra and Band, the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra's Side-by-Side Program, and the ISSMA Solo & Ensemble contests. New World is also well represented at Interlochen Arts Camp, the Aspen Music Festival, the Meadowmount School of Music, the Eastern Music Festival, as well as the Honor Orchestra of America.

The 1995-1996 season marked two firsts for the New World Youth Symphony Orchestra. It recorded its first professional compact disc, now in its second printing. In July, the orchestra toured Germany, Austria, and Switzerland enjoying standing room only crowds and enthusiastic standing ovations. The highlight of the tour was participating in the Silver Anniversary of the Youth and Music Festival in Vienna, Austria.

In March 2006, the New World Chamber Orchestra was awarded First Place honors in the youth orchestra division of the National Orchestra Festival at the American String Teachers Association national convention in Kansas City, Missouri.

References

• [1]

External links

• New World Youth Orchestras webpage