Cadet String Orchestra

  • Fall Concert call times are available! Scroll to see details below.
  • Fall Quarter music will be posted on our website in PDF format by mid-September. All enrolled students will receive instructions via email on how to access and print these PDFs in September. In the meantime, email admin@byso.org with any questions.
  • Click here for Conductor’s Messages

Rehearsals will be held on Monday evenings from 5:00 – 6:15 pm. Musicians are expected to arrive and be prepared to rehearse 15 minutes prior to start time.

FALL QUARTER 2026 DETAILS

Rehearsals Fall Quarter Dates
Mondays from 5:00 – 6:15 pm 9/28, 10/5, 10/12, 10/19, 10/26, 11/2, 11/9, 11/16
Rehearsal Location Drop Off/ Pick Up
Lake Washington High School Please plan on prompt drop off and pick up to
12033 NE 80th St avoid congestion.
Kirkland, WA 98033
Retreat Location Date & Time
Odle Middle School Saturday, October 24
502 143rd Ave NE 9:00 am – 12:00 pm
Bellevue, WA 98007
Concert Date & Time
Meydenbauer Theatre Saturday, November 21 @ 6:30 pm
11100 NE 6th St Call times and more are below.
Bellevue, WA 98004

Student Checklist

  • Bring a music stand (for rehearsal)
  • Bring a pencil
  • Bring a water bottle
  • Print your sheet music prior to first rehearsal (using link at top of this page) and bring with you to rehearsal
  • Arrive 15 minutes prior to the start of rehearsal to ensure you are in your chair and ready to play at the start of rehearsal
  • Have fun!

CONCERT DETAILS | Saturday, November 21 @ 6:30 pm

CALL TIME | 5:30 pm
All musicians should arrive promptly 5:30 pm.

DRESS REHEARSAL | 5:50 pm – 6:20 pm
This is when students rehearse on stage for a soundcheck. If students arrive at this time, they are late.

DROP OFF
Musicians can be dropped off via the Meydenbauer Parking Garage. The first 30 minutes are free.

PARKING
Parking is available in the Meydenbauer Parking Garage. Parking cannot be reserved ahead of time.

CONCERT ATTIRE
Be sure to check your ensemble’s concert attire requirements. Students must arrive wearing their concert clothing. They will not have a place to change later.

VOLUNTEERS – WE NEED YOU!
Volunteers will be a vital part of a successful day at Meydenbauer for all of our students. We need volunteers to help the check in process and supporting ensembles during their dress rehearsals. Volunteers have early access to reserve their seats in the hall. Click here to sign up!

CONCERT TICKETS
Families of enrolled BYSO students get priority access to concert tickets from October 15 – November 4. On November 5, tickets will be open to the general public on our website, here.

STAY THE WHOLE CONCERT
Performing students are expected to stay from their call time to the end of the concert. Listening to other musicians perform is an important part of each student’s music education, and it’s also important to support fellow BYSO musicians in this way.  Students who must leave early due to unavoidable schedule conflicts must get permission from their conductor and the BYSO office prior to the concert.

ATTENDANCE POLICY FOR LAST REHEARSAL BEFORE THE CONCERT

Students who miss the final Monday night rehearsal before a concert may be required to submit a video recording of the seating audition excerpts (posted on the Cadet page of the BYSO website) in order to be deemed eligible to participate in the concert. This also may apply to students who miss more than 20 minutes of the final Monday night rehearsal (by arriving late or leaving early).

If a test is required, the student must submit it no later than 11:59 PM Thursday evening. Mr. Kam will review the submissions Friday morning and notify the student and parents of the results. Failure to submit a video may result in the student being disqualified from playing in the concert.

For more details about the absence policy, please see the BYSO Student Handbook.

About

Cadet String Orchestra is an entry-level orchestra for strings. This BYSO ensemble is open to string players (violin, viola, cello, double bass), who are at least six years old, can read simple music easily, and are comfortable with their instrument. The typical Cadet String Orchestra student may have started the instrument only recently but has developed solid early proficiency and is prepared for the challenges of a large group setting. Students accepted into Cadet String Orchestra typically have been playing the instrument for one to three years.

Cadet String Orchestra is designed to be a young musician’s first group experience. Students receive instruction in following a conductor and playing as an ensemble. Prior orchestra experience is not required.

The repertoire for Cadet String Orchestra is mostly in first position, but it is still challenging, with some knowledge of sharps and flats required. Past works performed include arrangements of Bach’s Brandenburg Concerto No. 5, Offenbach’s Orpheus in the Underworld, and Balmages’s Fantasy on a Japanese Folk Song.

Recent Cadet String Orchestra Performance:

Bellevue Youth Symphony Orchestra's Cadet String Orchestra

Conductor: Andrew Kam

Andrew Kam received his Bachelor’s degree in Music Education from the University of Miami and his Master’s degree in Violin Performance from the University of Oregon. Mr. Kam currently serves as Orchestra Director for Bellevue High School and is a violinist with Symphony Tacoma. Learn more.

Contact Andrew Kam at cadet@byso.org

Messages from the Conductor

10/19 Rehearsal Recap, Looking Ahead to Retreat and Seating Audition

  • Retreat is this Saturday 10/24, 9:00 am – 12:00 pm @ Odle Middle School. Please check email for more info.
  • Seating Auditions take place next Monday 10/26 during rehearsal. These are optional, but students are encouraged to take them because the process of preparing for and taking auditions is a valuable process. Students opt in by letting their conductor know upoon arrival. All auditions are 1:1 with coaches who will take notes on student performances.
  • Seating Audition Excerpts (test spots)
    • Violin 1 & 2
      • Skies of Fire, q = 120, m.43 – m.59
      • Bow Rush, q = 132, m.65 – End
    • Viola, tbd
    • Cello
      • Skies of Fire, q = 120, m.61 – m.76
      • Bow Rush, q = 132, m.1 – 9 and m.62 – m.71
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Thank you to those that have already signed up to volunteer. Our orchestra needs around 80 chairs setup by rehearsal start time, and we prefer to get our musicians in their seats promptly. If you haven’t already, please find a week that works best for your schedule.
I’m excited for our Fall Quarter – and please feel free to reach out if you have any questions!
Best,
Andrew

Below are some frequently asked questions:

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What happens at retreat and why is it valuable to my student? At retreat, we have extended sectional time with our coaches (it’s also our last sectional for the quarter), and we have double full group rehearsal time. Just as importantly – we have time built in for social activities and team bonding!

What are seating auditions, and are are they required? Seating auditions are optional and take place during Week 5. Auditions are used to determine the following leadership positions: Concertmaster, Assistant Concertmaster, Principals and Assistant Principals for 2nd Violin, Viola and Cello. There is no makeup auditions in order to maintain fairness. If your child plans on being absent and you’d like to send a recording, please do so before the deadline. Please understand consideration is given towards in-person auditions due to the nature of playing live.

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