Rhythms is WYSO's monthly electronic newsletter, sent on Tuesday before the first rehearsal of each month. Rhythms is an essential communication link containing important news, updates, volunteer opportunities and the monthly schedule. A paper version of this issue is available at rehearsals! You may also view current and archived issues on our website: http://wyso.music.wisc.edu/Rhythms.html.

Please help keep our e-mail list updated! Inform the WYSO office directly of any address changes. wyso@wyso.music.wisc.edu

STEENBOCK FALL CONCERTS:
HONORING TEACHERS

The orchestras of WYSO have launched the season with tremendous success and will present what looks to be some of the best fall concerts in recent history. The first of the 2007-2008 concert series, named for Evelyn Steenbock, will be presented over the weekend of November 10 & 11 in honor of school and private music teachers. The musicians have been working hard to refine the nuances in some quite challenging repertoire, and can’t wait to share the music with family, friends, and of course, their teachers.

November 10 – 1:30 p.m.; Harp Ensemble, Sinfonietta and Concert Orchestra
To begin, the Harp Ensemble will set the mood with a performance of two pieces by Ellen Tepper, arranged by the ensemble’s director, Karen Beth Atz. Next, Sinfonietta will take the stage to present works by Bishop and Lopez as well as a challenging movement from Mozart’s Divertimento. Concert Orchestra will close the first concert with works by Holesovsky and Grieg before a spirited concluding presentation of Rites of Tamburo by Robert W. Smith.

November 10 – 4:00 p.m.; Philharmonia Orchestra
Maintaining its high standard of performance achievement, Philharmonia Orchestra will present an eclectic program of stunning compositions. You will enjoy "Mock Morris" by folk composer and arranger Percy Grainger, and especially two memorable movements from Beethoven’s Symphony No. 5.

November 11 – 2:00 p.m.; Percussion Ensemble and Youth Orchestra
The sounds of WYSO’s Percussion Ensemble are both impressive and thrilling, especially on Rosauro’s Japanese Overture. The Youth Orchestra will present a program of prestige by opening with Spanish composer Joaquín Turina’s La Procésion del Rocío. Next, they will take you to Russia with “Berceuse and Finale” from Stravinsky’s mainstay The Firebird; and finally, a rousing rendition of the lyric Shostakovich Symphony No. 6, which, according to Dmitri himself, will close the Steenbock 2007 concerts with a “full-blooded music-hall gallop.”

All concerts are in Mills Concert Hall on the UW-Madison campus at 455 N. Park Street.  Seating is general admission, $8 for adults and $5 for youth ages 3-18. The box office opens one hour prior to each concert. Music teachers are encouraged to call (608) 263-3320 x13 to reserve their complimentary tickets by November 8, 2007.

These concerts are supported by the Alliant Energy Foundation and a grant from the Dane County Cultural Affairs Commission with additional funds from the America Girl’s Fund for Children, the Evjue Foundation and Overture Foundation, as well as individual contributions.

BOX OFFICE POLICIES

With the Steenbock Concerts on the horizon, it’s time to review WYSO box office policies.  Half-price and family free tickets were mailed home on October 12.

1. All WYSO regular season concerts require tickets for general admission.
2. Each ticket is valid for one performance only.
3. HALF-PRICE ticket orders must have been submitted by September 15. After this date, no HALF-PRICE tickets will be sold.
4. FAMILY FREE and HALF-PRICE tickets may be used for admission at any regular season concert at Mills Concert Hall.
5. FULL-PRICE tickets are available at the door one hour before performances. Adult FULL-PRICE tickets are $8, and Youth FULL-PRICE tickets are $5.
6. WYSO family members who forget their FAMILY FREE or HALF-PRICE tickets may purchase FULL-PRICE tickets at the door, or receive COMP tickets with the provision that their FREE/HALF-PRICE tickets OR payment for FULL-PRICE tickets to the performance they attend are mailed to the WYSO office.  **Please note: you will be billed for tickets not mailed within one week of performance.
7. Families may reserve FULL-PRICE tickets to be picked up on the day of the performance by contacting Jill Johnson at jjohnson@wyso.music.wisc.edu or (608) 263-3320 x13.

Please be in concert dress at your call time*.  Members who are not dressed properly will be asked to change or they will not be permitted to play in the concert.

*Call time is the announced time before the concert when members of the orchestra warm up, tune, and possibly rehearse as a full orchestra.  Members go directly from this warm-up to the stage, therefore, they must be in concert dress by the call time.

CONCERT DRESS FOR SINFONIETTA, CONCERT ORCHESTRA, AND PHILHARMONIA ORCHESTRA 

Girls: White long-sleeved top with conservative neckline, solid black skirt below knees or elegant solid black pants, BLACK hose or socks, black closed-toe shoes with flat bottom or conservative heel.  No midriff-baring shirts or pants, especially when seated.  No colors or bare legs.  Girls must wear BLACK hose or socks, so there is solid black from the waist to the floor when seated. No distracting hair accessories.

Boys: White long-sleeved button-down shirt tucked in, solid black dress pants with black belt, long conservative-colored tie, BLACK socks, black dress shoes. No athletic shoes, jackets, or brightly colored ties.

CONCERT DRESS FOR YOUTH ORCHESTRA

Girls: Black long-sleeved top with conservative neckline, solid black skirt below knees or elegant solid black pants OR long black dress.  BLACK hose or socks, black closed-toe shoes with flat bottom or conservative heel.  No midriff-baring shirts or pants, especially when seated.  No colors or bare legs.  You must wear BLACK hose or socks, so there is solid black from your waist to the floor when seated.  No distracting hair accessories.

Boys: Black jacket and pants with black belt, white long-sleeved button-down shirt tucked in, long conservative-colored tie, BLACK socks, black dress shoes. No athletic shoes, bowties or brightly colored ties.

Refer to your member handbook for further details regarding the concert dress policy.

TICKETS – Mills Concert Hall doors will open to the public 30 minutes before each concert. Members may attend concerts for free by identifying themselves as an orchestra member.

AFTER THE CONCERT – Sinfonietta students should put their instrument away and come into the hall to watch Concert Orchestra.  All students should be picked up after their concerts at a pre-arranged meeting place or from their rehearsal room (room numbers are posted on the announcement board).

CD order forms for the Steenbock Fall Concerts will be available on the announcement table and in the WYSO office on November 3 and 10 and will be available in the lobby during the concerts.  CDs are $15 each and orders are due by November 17.  WYSO will only order the number of CDs that have been paid for in advance.  Turn in your order by the due date so you don't miss out on your chance to have a copy of your concert performance!

MAJOR TOUR SURVEY- PARENTS

ART OF NOTE AUCTION - ITEMS NEEDED!

Each year, a Final Event Gala brings the Art of Note project to a ceremonious conclusion. Violin raffle winners are drawn, large silent and live auctions occur, and guests mix and mingle in celebration of WYSO and its great commitment to music education for the youth of Wisconsin.

This year is no different, but we need your help. Could you or anyone you know offer a vacation home use for a week as an auction item? How about Green Bay Packers tickets? Or maybe a one year lease on a great car? We need help in procuring such large ticket items for our auction. The WYSO Board of Directors works long and hard to generate $40,000 for WYSO each year from the Art of Note project. Auction items are a great way to raise funds to support this great organization.

Mark your calendars for this year's Final Event Gala, Thursday, June 5, 2008 from 6-9 pm at the Madison Club. If you have an auction item to donate, please contact Jill Johnson, WYSO Development Director, (608) 263-3320 x13.

BAD WEATHER POLICY

November

3 SAT   Regular rehearsals for Phil, CO & Sinf
            YO Rehearse 8:30am-10:30am, depart for Appleton (bring lunch!)
            Phil Concerto Competition applications available
            LAST DAY to notify office if you have not yet received your half-price tickets

10 SAT Steenbock Fall Concerts (Sinf, CO, Phil)
            YO: Regular Rehearsal
            Phil: 9:30-11am, Call 3:00pm (correction from handbook), Perform 4:00pm
            CO: 10-11:30am, Call 1:00pm, Perform 1:30pm (Harps and Sinf open)
            Sinf: 10-11:30am, Call 12:30pm, Perform 1:30pm (Harps open)
            DUE: SECOND TUITION PAYMENT Pay at box near announcement board

11 SUN Steenbock Fall Concert (YO)
            Call 12:30pm, Perform 2:00pm (PE opens)
            enCORe Horn Recital 4:30pm in Mills Hall

17 SAT Special Rehearsal Schedule
            YO: 8:00-11:00am
            Phil: 11:30am-2:30pm
            CO: 8:00-10:30am
            Sinf: 11:00am-1:30pm
            DUE: Steenbock CD Order Forms

24 SAT NO REHEARSAL - Thanksgiving 

December

1 SAT   Regular rehearsals
            DUE: Phil Concerto Applications, 
                     YO: Murphy Family Interlochen Scholarship applications

December
1 SAT Regular Rehearsal