Symphony Youth Orchestra
The San Bernardino Symphony Youth Orchestra (SBSYO) is a new music education initiative from the San Bernardino Symphony Orchestra. The mission of the SBSYO is to provide a nurturing and creative environment where young musicians can grow musically and holistically through performance.
More specifically, our goals are to:
1. Provide familiarity with works from the symphony orchestra repertoire through the study and performance of both masterworks and contemporary literature with an emphasis on the works of underrepresented composers.
2. Establish the highest consistent performance standards and professionalism.
3. Enhance the study and practices encouraged in private lessons and school ensembles.
4. Apply historical context and theoretical principles in the development of musical expression and interpretation.
5. Encourage each individual’s artistic and technical musical development while working toward ensemble goals.
6. Provide an outlet for musical expression and creativity.
The SBSYO is a full orchestra for string, woodwind, brass, percussion, harp, and keyboard students ranging from ages fourteen to eighteen from the Inland Empire, Coachella Valley, and surrounding areas.
Instruments include flute/piccolo, clarinet/bass clarinet, oboe/English horn, bassoon/contrabassoon, alto/tenor saxophone, French horn, trumpet, tenor/bass trombone, euphonium, tuba, percussion, harp, keyboard, violin, viola, cello, and double bass. The ensemble is under the leadership of Dr. Lucy Lewis (Artistic Director & Conductor) and Ms. Veronica Manzanera (Assistant Conductor).
The SBSYO rehearses on Sundays from 2:00 – 5:00 p.m. at San Bernardino Valley College’s North Hall, Room 164. Performances are presented at San Bernardino Valley College’s Auditorium, one in fall, and one in spring. For the full calendar for the ensemble, please scroll down.
AUDITIONS
Auditions will be held on Wednesday, August 28 from 4:00 - 8:00 p.m. at San Bernardino Valley College, and September 4 from 4:00 - 8:00 p.m. at Cal State San Bernardino. The deadline to sign up for an audition on Wednesday, August 28, is Tuesday, August 27, 11:59 p.m. The deadline to sign up for an audition on Wednesday, September 4, is Tuesday, September 3, 11:59 p.m. View audition requirements here:
To apply to join the SBSYO, please fill out the registration form and sign up for an audition at the links below.
Register here:
Sign up for an audition here:
Audition results will be emailed by Friday, September 6, 5:00 p.m. Tuition payments should only be made after audition results have been received.
2024-25 CALENDAR
Fall 2024
August 28 Auditions, 4:00 - 8:00 p.m., Cal State San Bernardino
September 4 Auditions, 4:00 - 8:00 p.m., Cal State San Bernardino
September 8 Welcome & Orientation, 2:00 - 5:00 p.m. NH 164
September 15 Rehearsal, 2:00 - 5:00 p.m., NH 164
September 22 Rehearsal, 2:00 - 5:00 p.m., NH 164
September 29 Rehearsal, 2:00 - 5:00 p.m., NH 164
October 6 SBCUSD Holiday/No Rehearsal
October 13 Rehearsal, 2:00 - 5:00 p.m., NH 164
October 20 Sectionals, 2:00 - 5:00 p.m., Cal State San Bernardino
October 27 Rehearsal, 2:00 - 5:00 p.m., NH 164
November 3 Rehearsal, 2:00 - 5:00 p.m., NH 164
November 10 Veteran’s Day/No Rehearsal
November 17 Rehearsal, 2:00 - 5:00 p.m., NH 164
November 24 Rehearsal, 2:00 - 5:00 p.m., NH 164
December 1 Thanksgiving Break/No Rehearsal
December 8 Dress Rehearsal, 2:00 - 5:00 p.m., NH 164
December 15 Fall Concert, 3:00 p.m., SBVC Auditorium, Sound Check @ 11:30 a.m.
Spring 2025
January 12 Winter Workshop, 12:00 - 5:00 p.m., Locations TBA
January 19 Martin Luther King Day/No Rehearsal
January 26 Rehearsal, 2:00 - 5:00 p.m., NH 164
February 2 Rehearsal, 2:00 - 5:00 p.m., NH 164
February 9 SBCUSD Holiday/No Rehearsal
February 16 SBCUSD Holiday/No Rehearsal
February 23 Rehearsal, 2:00 - 5:00 p.m., NH 164
March 2 Rehearsal, 2:00 - 5:00 p.m., NH 164
March 9 Sectionals, 2:00 - 5:00 p.m., Locations TBA
March 16 Rehearsal, 2:00 - 5:00 p.m., NH 164
March 23 Spring Break/No Rehearsal
March 30 Spring Break/No Rehearsal
April 6 Rehearsal, 2:00 - 5:00 p.m., NH 164
April 13 Rehearsal, 2:00 - 5:00 p.m., NH 164
April 20 Easter/No Rehearsal
April 27 Rehearsal, 2:00 - 5:00 p.m., NH 164
May 4 Dress Rehearsal, 2:00 - 5:00 p.m., NH 164
May 11 Mother’s Day/No Rehearsal
May 18 Spring Concert, 3:00 p.m., SBVC Auditorium, Sound Check @ 11:30 a.m.
STUDENT EXPECTATIONS
Instruments and Equipment:
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All SBSYO students are responsible for their own instruments. Lost, stolen, or damaged instruments or accessories are not the responsibility of SBSYO.
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Folders with a copy of the SBSYO handbook, calendar, and music for the term will be given out by the first rehearsal. Certain pieces may be subject to copyright laws, and/or rental policies, and must be returned the day of the concert immediately following the performance. The replacement cost for parts for any of these pieces that are lost, or returned damaged, will be the student’s financial responsibility.
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Percussionists are required to provide their own mallets and sticks. All San Bernardino Valley College equipment must be returned to the storage space before leaving rehearsals and concerts.
Rehearsals:
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Students will check the SBSYO calendar and resolve potential conflicts far in advance. (See the attendance policy in the handbook.)
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Students will warm up prior to rehearsals and be seated in the rehearsal space fifteen minutes prior to the start of rehearsal.
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Students will come prepared with the requisite technique to make music at every rehearsal, having practiced their music at home.
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Students will come to rehearsal with all necessary rehearsal tools, including instruments, sheet music, pencils, mutes, rock stops, straps, and other accessories. Percussionists will provide their own mallets.
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Students will keep the rehearsal room clean, organized, and secure. All chairs and stands will be returned to the racks after rehearsal. Percussionists will be responsible for the set-up and tear down of all percussion equipment before and after rehearsals.
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No food or drink (save water) is allowed in the rehearsal space at any time.
Concerts:
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Students will check the SBSYO calendar and resolve potential conflicts in advance. (See the attendance policy in the handbook.)
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Day of concert, students will warm up prior to the sound check and be seated in the concert space thirty minutes prior to the start of the sound check.
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Students will come to the sound check and concert with all necessary tools, including instruments, sheet music, pencils, mutes, rock stops, straps, and other accessories. Percussionists will provide their own mallets.
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No food or drink (save water) is allowed in the concert hall at any time.
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Concert attire:
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Option A: Long-sleeved black dress shirt, plain black tie, black dress slacks, black socks, and black dress shoes. Athletic shoes, track shoes, and jeans (or jean-like trousers) are NOT acceptable.
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Option B: Long black dress or skirt (at or below the knee), or black dress pants. Mini-skirts and jean-like pants are NOT acceptable. If wearing a skirt, black nylons are required. Minimum 3/4-sleeve length with a conservative neck for dresses or tops. NO bare shoulders or midriffs. Close-toed black shoes.
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Please make sure clothes are neatly pressed, and all jewelry and/or hair adornments are unobtrusive.
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CONCERT TICKETS
The SBSYO is partially funded by general admission concert tickets which are $10 each and may be purchased online at www.sanbernardinosymphony.org. Children under twelve may attend SBYSO concerts for free.
SBSYO families in good standing may also attend San Bernardino Symphony Orchestra concerts at no cost. To do so, they must register at rehearsal by clearly completing the sign-up sheet provided prior to each performance; following electronic tickets will be emailed to them.
TUITION AND FINANCIAL AID
Tuition for the SBYSO for the 2024-2025 season is $200 per semester for fall and spring, $400 total for the year. Students will not be able to participate in the SBYSO rehearsals before a payment plan has been selected, and tuition has been paid.
There are two payment options:
1. Pay $400 for the year in full at the first day of rehearsal, Sunday, September 8, 2024.
2. Pay $200 per the semester.
○ Fall tuition due date is Sunday, September 8, 2024.
○ Spring tuition due date is Sunday, January 12, 2025.
If a student is given permission to join the SBYSO after the first rehearsal of a semester, the tuition will be prorated to the starting rehearsal date.
Currently, the SBYSO offers very limited need-based financial aid for students who require tuition assistance. Please contact us at sbsyo@sanbernardinosymphony.org for more information.
Please note that to avoid the $20 late fee, your tuition payment must be received by no later than four days following the due date.
CONTACT INFORMATION
By Mail:
San Bernardino Symphony Youth Orchestra
PO Box 109
San Bernardino, CA 92402
By Email:
General Email
sbsyo@sanbernardinosymphony.org
San Bernardino Symphony Youth Orchestra Director and Conductor
Dr. Lucy Lewis
lucy.lewis@sanbernardinosymphony.org
San Bernardino Symphony Youth Orchestra Assistant Conductor
Ms. Veronica Manzanera
veronica.manzanera@sanbernardinosymphony.org
ADVISORY COMMITTEE
As an initiative of the San Bernardino Symphony Association, the SBYSO is overseen by Symphony leadership.
Dr. Kevin Zhang, Chair, San Bernardino Symphony Association Board Member
Dr. Jessica Getman, San Bernardino Symphony Association Board Member
Dr. Margaret Worsley, San Bernardino Symphony Orchestra Principal Clarinet
Maestro Anthony Parnther, San Bernardino Symphony Orchestra Artistic Director
Want to Support a Student?
Student tuition is assessed in order that this program can be self-supporting, but not every student can afford to pay. You can support a SBSYO student by making a tax deductible donation in any amount. Simply click on:
Then select “Support a San Bernardino Symphony Youth Orchestra Member” from the drop-down menu. Thank you!