Cadet String Orchestra

Update 1/18/22:  Location Change
Location Change for January 24 and 31 rehearsals
Lake Washington High School | 12033 NE 80thStreet, Kirkland, WA 98033

Due to venue availability rehearsals for January 24 and January 31 will be held at Lake Washington High School from 5:00 – 6:20pm.  We will return to our regular location at Northwest Arts Center at our regular time 6:45 – 8:15pm on February 7th.

Update 1/8/22:  Virtual Rehearsal
On January 7, 2022 we were notified by Northwest Arts Center that the City of Bellevue parks facilities will be temporarily returning to Phase 3 operations for indoor rentals and programs in response to the increased COVID-19 spread due to the Omicron variant. Effective on Monday, January 10th all indoor reservations at their facility have been cancelled through January 31st, after which time they will re-evaluate this policy and make a decision based on current COVID statistics. This means Cadet and Debut orchestras cannot gather for in-person rehearsal at the Northwest Arts Center at this time. Rehearsal on Monday, January 10th for Cadet String Orchestra will instead be held virtually via Zoom using the link above.  

We intend to continue with in-person rehearsals and concerts for Winter Quarter.Updates about a new rehearsal venue for Cadet & Debut will be communicated to families as soon as we can arrange.

In-Person Rehearsals:
In-person rehearsals follow WA State DOH guidelines for schools including:  3 feet of distancing, no shared music stands, mask wearing and wind instrumentalists using bell covers.  We are watching evolving School District and State COVID guidelines and will make changes accordingly.  Click here for complete BYSO COVID Policy and Procedures.

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

In-Person Rehearsal Winter Quarter Rehearsal Time
Mondays Jan 10 – Mar 21, 2022 5:00 – 6:15 PM
Winter Retreat – Lake WA High School: February 5, 2022 9:00 – 12:00 PM
Winter Concert – Meydenbauer Theatre: March 20, 2022 2:00 PM
Rehearsal Location                                       . Drop off/ Pick UP
Northwest Arts Center NWAC parking lot and street parking are
9825 NE 24th St, Bellevue available. Please plan on prompt pick-up to
Bellevue, WA 98004 avoid congestion as Debut begins drop-off.
Retreat Location (Oct. 23)                     .     Drop off/ Pick UP
Lake Washington High School LWHS parking lot and street parking are
12033 NE 80th Street available. Please plan on prompt drop-off
Kirkland, WA 98033 and pick-up to avoid congestion.

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.

Student Checklist:

  • Submit your COVID liability waiver and vaccination status form – click here for form
  • Bring your face mask and bell cover (if applicable)
  • Bring individual music stand (no sharing stands)
  • Print your sheet music prior to first rehearsal (printable pdf’s will be available Jan 7th)
  • Arrive 15 minutes prior to the start of rehearsal to ensure you are in your chair and ready to play at the start of rehearsalWe will meet the reporting requirements to public health
  • Have fun!

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

1/4/2022

Happy New Year Cadet Families and welcome to the Winter Quarter!

  1. You can download music by visiting my OneDrive folder. Violinists – please check your part assignments before downloading your music to ensure you are accessing the correct part!
  2. Violin Part Reminder: We value a balanced ensemble, with an appropriate amount of musicians performing each part. Please keep in mind part assignments are not rankings, and we often move musicians between sections. In professional orchestras, this is common practice. Thank you for your understanding.

Seating Audition Notes:

  • Seating audition results are not a ranking
  • Seating auditions help determine principals in each section (i.e. Concertmaster, Assistant Principals, etc.).
  • In addition to seating auditions, your conductor regularly observes individual rehearsal skills to determine principals.
  • Musicians not assigned a principal spot are intentionally placed throughout the section. They may be assigned to the front, back, outside, or inside, based on their technical ability. It is possible that stronger players are assigned to the back of the section.
  • Prior to the concert, seating assignments will continue to rotate every few weeks

 

For each rehearsal, musicians will need to bring their (1) instrument, (2) music and pencil, and (3) a music stand.

Please feel free to reach out at info@byso.org or cadet@byso.org with any questions!

 

Sincerely,

Andrew Kam

Cadet String Orchestra Conductor

Cadet Seating Chart 2021-22

 

 

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