Welcome to BYSO’s Winter Quarter! We look forward to another quarter of music-making. Rehearsals begin tonight, January 4, for all ensembles. Families should have all received an email from the office regarding class assignments.

How to Prepare:

• Keep an eye out for an email from your director for the Zoom link.  Directors may also post important information on their ensemble page, found under the Ensemble tab from the menu bar. Make sure to read that through.
• Update to Zoom 5.4.6. This version has better breakout room functionality. To update, launch Zoom and click on the YOU icon in the upper right-hand corner. Select Check for Updates.
• Pay tuition by Sunday, January 17. Pay online or by check to PO Box 3774, Bellevue, WA 98009. Learn about financial aid.
• Make sure instruments are ready and students log into rehearsal 15 minutes prior to start time with cameras turned on.

If you have any questions, please contact admin@byso.org.

All students have been assigned their ensemble for winter quarter and have been notified via email. If you do not see this email, make sure to check your junk/spam folders.

Rehearsals begin this Monday, January 4. View rehearsal times and learn more about your specific ensemble under the Ensembles tab from the menu bar.

Tuition is due Sunday, January 17, 2021.

If you have any questions, please contact admin@byso.org.

Pay Tuition

Winter quarter ensemble assignments will be sent out via email by the end of December. Rehearsals for all ensembles begin Monday, January 4. Take a look at our rehearsal calendar here. Rehearsal times vary according to ensemble.

To prepare for winter quarter, update to Zoom 5.4.6, read BYSO’s member guidelines, and have your instruments tuned up and ready. Tuition will be due Sunday, January 17. Payment options will be made available once ensemble assignments are sent out. Learn about BYSO’s financial aid opportunities.

We look forward to another quarter of online music making!

Wishing our families a musical and healthy holiday season. Enjoy carols recorded by Premiere Flute Ensemble, directed by Dr. Nayoung Ham.

This weekend is the last chance to see BYSO’s collaboration with Evergreen City Ballet. Their docu-dance film, Nutcracker Suites, was recommended by the Seattle Times as one of the Nutcracker performances not to be missed. Learn more and view ticket options.

The admin team is working on placing students into small ensembles for the winter quarter. Once this is completed, you will be notified via email. At this time you will also be able to pay your tuition. This should be completed by December 30, 2020.

Rehearsals will begin Monday, January 4, 2021. View the calendar for winter quarter.

Congratulations to Renee Yeung, BYSO’s 2020 Concerto Competition WINNER! Today we feature the performance that really wowed our judges. Here is Renee, playing the first movement of Max Bruch’s Violin Concerto No. 1.

Renee is a junior this year and has played violin for 9 years. After much encouragement from her neighbor and violin teacher, Renee decided to join BYSO for the first time last season. She says, “Thanks to them and my family’s support, I’ve gotten the chance to play in an orchestra with Mr. Kempisty last year, an octet with Ms. Liu this year, and to participate in this Concerto Competition. I’m looking forward to playing great music next quarter and beyond!”

Well done Renee, Grace, Daniel, and to all the other musicians that participated in BYSO’s first online Concerto Competition. You all did very well and should be proud of yourselves.

 

BYSO has been gifted additional funds this year to use specifically for scholarships. You can read more about scholarships and financial aid here.

Congratulations to Grace Rames, BYSO’s 2020 Concerto Competition Runner-up! Today we feature Grace’s performance of the First Movement of Symphonie Espagnole by Edouard Lalo. Enjoy her performance and learn more about Grace:

Grace has been with BYSO for 6 years. She used to play the cello and double bass, but now has excelled in the violin, playing it for 7.5 years.

“I’m very excited to have been picked as a runner-up for the BYSO Concerto Competition! I’ve put so many hours of work into this piece and to see all the effort pay off fills me with so much joy. The thing I have missed the most during this pandemic is playing in orchestras and BYSO with everyone. As amazing as it is that we can use technology to meld together individuals and bring back that spirit of togetherness, it doesn’t quite hit the same as seeing and hearing a performance come together in real time. Though, I can’t discredit Zoom rehearsals entirely, it is also so satisfying when all those parts playing along with the click track line up with each other and create that full “orchestra” effect.

After I graduate high school, I plan on attending a music conservatory. My goal is to become a concert violinist, but I would also love to see wherever the music world takes me. Though music is my number one passion, I also enjoy drawing, fashion, and makeup. I love all things creative whether that be art, writing, or music.”

Congratulations, Grace! Next Sunday we’ll feature BYSO’s 2020 Concert Competition Winner, Renee Yeung.

 

Several students have not filled out BYSO’s Winter Quarter Signup form. Whether you prefer to stay in the same ensemble as the fall OR have decided to go on leave until spring, you must fill out the form. This form helps ensure that each student is accounted for and placed in their preferred ensemble.

If you have any questions, contact admin@byso.org.

Learn more about BYSO’s Winter Quarter Offerings.