Debut String Orchestra

  • 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 6:45 – 8:15 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 6:45 – 8:15 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 Plan on prompt drop off and pick up to avoid
12033 NE 80th St congestion.
Kirkland, WA 98033
Retreat Location Time & Date
Odle Middle School Saturday, October 24
502 143rd Ave NE 12:30 pm – 3:30 pm
Bellevue, WA 98007
Concert  Time & Date
Meydenbauer Theatre Saturday, November 21 @ 2:30 pm
11100 NE 6th St Call time and more information will be
Bellevue, WA 98004 posted in October.

Student Checklist

  • Bring a music stand
  • 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!

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 Debut page of the BYSO website) in order to be deemed eligible to participate in the concert.
If a test is required, the student must submit it no later than 11:59 PM Thursday evening. Mrs. Ewing 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

Debut String Orchestra is an advanced entry-level orchestra for strings. This BYSO ensemble is designed for progressing students on violin, viola, cello, and double bass who have 3+ years of experience on their instrument and some prior orchestra experience. The typical Debut String Orchestra student plays with solid first-position technique and has some early higher position knowledge.

Debut String Orchestra students improve their note-reading and rhythm skills while they become more confident playing as an ensemble. Past works performed include arrangements of Mozart’s Symphony No. 15, Bartok’s Romanian Folk Dances, and Spata’s Maharaja.

Recent Debut String Orchestra Performance

Conductor: Mollie Ewing

Mollie Ewing is a freelance adjudicator, clinician, and conductor for school districts around the region. She holds a Bachelor of Music Education degree and a Master of Educational Leadership degree from the University of Portland. Mrs. Ewing taught orchestra in the Issaquah School District from 2001 to 2010 and is currently teaching orchestra at Risdon Middle School in the Renton School District. Learn more.

Contact Mollie Ewing at debut@byso.org

Messages from the Conductor

Summer 2026 (6.24.26)

Hello Future Debut Musicians and Families!

Welcome to the best group out there (totally biased!). I’m excited to make music with you this year. Learn “About Me” HERE!

This is where you’ll look each week for recordings of the songs that we’ll be playing and important rehearsal notes, including seating audition information. Links to print your music and your section placements (1st or 2nd Violin) will be sent to your parent’s email the week before rehearsals begin in late September.

To prepare for the year, please have:

  • Your instrument, labeled with your name
  • A folder for printed music and a pencil to mark it each week (families are required to print their student’s music)
  • A folding stand (we don’t use them all the time, but they are occasionally needed)
  • Cellos and basses need an end-pin anchor or strap
  • Basses: If you use a stool, you must bring one each week. They are not available in the rehearsal space or at concerts

Songs for Fall 2026: TBA (late September)

Mark your calendar:

  • September 28 – First Rehearsal!
  • October TBA – Seating Audition Spots Given at Rehearsal (posted online by October TBA)
  • October TBA – Fall Retreat (time to meet your peers, do some fun activities, and practice for your seating auditions)
  • October TBA – Seating Auditions at our Monday Rehearsal (no make-up auditions/videos accepted)

Looking forward to meeting you on September 28th!

Mrs. Ewing (You-ing)

Some helpful tools:

Sponsors & Partners