Join Our Youth Orchestra!
Rowan Youth Orchestra
This ensemble is dedicated to performing unabridged orchestral works as well as upper level arrangements from a variety of musical genres.
COME JOIN US!
AN INTRODUCTION TO THE ROWAN YOUTH ORCHESTRA
Interested in the Rowan Youth Orchestra? Watch this introductory video put together by Dr. Hayden Denesha. Come join our community!
Come join Us!
More About Us
- The Rowan Youth Orchestra, now in its 38th year, under the Direction of Dr. Hayden Denesha (Artistic Director) a full orchestra including strings, brass, and percussion instruments. Orchestra members are typically in grades 8-12 from schools throughout southern New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Delaware. Auditions will be held virtually from April 1st - June 30th with a supplemental round for remaining vacancies in September. Auditions will consist of scales, a prepared solo, and an orchestral excerpt for all instruments. For specific audition requirements for each instrument, please see below.
- Faculty: Dr. Hayden Denesha, Rowan Youth Orchestra Artistic Director
- When: Sundays, 6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
- Where: Wilson Hall, Room 156
- Rehearsal Dates: 9/12/2021 - 4/24/2022
- Performances: December 5, 2021 & May 1, 2022
- Concert Tickets: Visit go.rowan.edu/boxoffice to purchase tickets for all ensemble concerts!
- Mid Year Enrollment: now available for Spring 2022! Email Rowancommunitymusicschool@rowan.edu for more information.
- Cost: $425; A late fee of $15 will be assessed for ensemble tuition not paid by October 3, 2021.
- A payment plan option is also available for full year participation. All students are required to make tuition payments through the Marketplace online system after they have been accepted as per their audition. Credit Card, Check, or Money Order (NO CASH) officially.
- A late fee of $15 will be assessed for ensemble tuition not paid by October 1, 2021 and 2nd payments on the payment plan.
- A 10% discount is available for students taking private lessons through Rowan CMS. Please contact Rowan CMS for more details.
- Rehearsals are scheduled to take place in person at Rowan University.
- Please be advised that we reserve the right to change the format of offerings without notice based on the Federal, State and Local guidelines related to the COVID-19 global health pandemic.
- Please be advised all campus visitors (non Rowan employees) are required to be masked and complete the following survey when visiting campus: go.rowan.edu/visitor
-
Safety and Hygiene
-
In agreement with musician safety guidelines put forth by NAfME and Arts Ed NJ, students will be spaced at least 6 feet apart during rehearsals. In addition, all students will wear masks in rehearsals. All Woodwind and Brass students are also required to use bell covers for their instrument, except for flute players. Bell Covers can be purchased at music stores or online. Below are resources for purchasing bell covers for your instrument.
-
Woodwind/Brass Players: Masks are to be worn unless activley making music. If a person has an extended length of time where they are not producing music, then they should wear a mask until it is time to play again. Slitted/Performance masks are optional.
-
-
Resources for Purchasing Bell Covers
-
https://www.colesmusicservice.com/
https://www.tmftoursandtravel.com/
https://www.musicarts.com/brass-guards
https://www.amazon.com/ Search for Instrument Bell Covers
-
- The Rowan Youth Orchestra, now in its 38th year, under the Direction of Dr. Hayden Denesha (Artistic Director) a full orchestra including strings, brass, and percussion instruments. Orchestra members are typically in grades 8-12 from schools throughout southern New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Delaware. Auditions will be held virtually from April 1st - June 30th with a supplemental round for remaining vacancies in September. Auditions will consist of scales, a prepared solo, and an orchestral excerpt for all instruments. For specific audition requirements for each instrument, please see below.
- Faculty: Dr. Hayden Denesha, Rowan Youth Orchestra Artistic Director
- When: Sundays, 6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
- Where: Wilson Hall, Room 156
- Rehearsal Dates: 9/12/2021 - 4/24/2022
- Performances: December 5, 2021 & May 1, 2022
- Concert Tickets: Visit go.rowan.edu/boxoffice to purchase tickets for all ensemble concerts!
- Mid Year Enrollment: now available for Spring 2022! Email Rowancommunitymusicschool@rowan.edu for more information.
- Cost: $425; A late fee of $15 will be assessed for ensemble tuition not paid by October 3, 2021.
- A payment plan option is also available for full year participation. All students are required to make tuition payments through the Marketplace online system after they have been accepted as per their audition. Credit Card, Check, or Money Order (NO CASH) officially.
- A late fee of $15 will be assessed for ensemble tuition not paid by October 1, 2021 and 2nd payments on the payment plan.
- A 10% discount is available for students taking private lessons through Rowan CMS. Please contact Rowan CMS for more details.
- Rehearsals are scheduled to take place in person at Rowan University.
- Please be advised that we reserve the right to change the format of offerings without notice based on the Federal, State and Local guidelines related to the COVID-19 global health pandemic.
- Please be advised all campus visitors (non Rowan employees) are required to be masked and complete the following survey when visiting campus: go.rowan.edu/visitor
-
Safety and Hygiene
-
In agreement with musician safety guidelines put forth by NAfME and Arts Ed NJ, students will be spaced at least 6 feet apart during rehearsals. In addition, all students will wear masks in rehearsals. All Woodwind and Brass students are also required to use bell covers for their instrument, except for flute players. Bell Covers can be purchased at music stores or online. Below are resources for purchasing bell covers for your instrument.
-
Woodwind/Brass Players: Masks are to be worn unless activley making music. If a person has an extended length of time where they are not producing music, then they should wear a mask until it is time to play again. Slitted/Performance masks are optional.
-
-
Resources for Purchasing Bell Covers
-
https://www.colesmusicservice.com/
https://www.tmftoursandtravel.com/
https://www.musicarts.com/brass-guards
https://www.amazon.com/ Search for Instrument Bell Covers
-
Play to your Heart's Content.
Don't Miss Out on the Youth Orchestra here at Rowan!
Rehearsals are scheduled to take place in-person at Rowan University!
Come Prepared!
Audition Requirements
- You may submit your video audition as one file or multiple files. They must be sent to the appropriate email either shared via google drive or privately shared on YouTube with a link. Your files must be clearly labeled with your First Name, Last Name, and Instrument.
- Virtual audition options available, inquire within.
- A solo piece of your choosing that you feel comfortable playing. The piece should demonstrate the full range of your technique and musicality.
- Percussion: One mandatory solo on the Snare Drum or Timpani (If you have accesses to the instrument). It is encouraged that if you have access to a mallet percussion instrument, you include a brief mallet solo.
- You will need to play 2 scales of your choosing.
- Violin/Viola/Cello/Bass: Major or minor scales in 2 or 3 octaves.
- Woodwinds & Brass: Major or minor scales, 2, or 3 octaves as appropriate for your instrument.
- Percussion: Demonstrate loud (fff) and soft (ppp) rolls on snare drum (mandatory) and timpani (optional, if available) and loud (fff) and soft (ppp) crashes on a pair of crash cymbals (optional, if available). It is encouraged that if a student has access to a mallet percussion instrument, 2 different major or minor scales in 2 octaves on marimba, xylophone, or bell set.
- In lieu of sight-reading this year, musicians will be asked to submit the corresponding orchestral excerpt(s) posted on the webpage.
- Percussion: Only play the mallet percussion excerpt if you have access to a xylophone.
- HINT: It is better to take a slow tempo that is comfortable rather than a fast tempo that will cause you to stop. Harps do not need to submit an orchestral excerpt.
- You may submit your video audition as one file or multiple files. They must be sent to the appropriate email either shared via google drive or privately shared on YouTube with a link. Your files must be clearly labeled with your First Name, Last Name, and Instrument.
- Virtual audition options available, inquire within.
- A solo piece of your choosing that you feel comfortable playing. The piece should demonstrate the full range of your technique and musicality.
- Percussion: One mandatory solo on the Snare Drum or Timpani (If you have accesses to the instrument). It is encouraged that if you have access to a mallet percussion instrument, you include a brief mallet solo.
- You will need to play 2 scales of your choosing.
- Violin/Viola/Cello/Bass: Major or minor scales in 2 or 3 octaves.
- Woodwinds & Brass: Major or minor scales, 2, or 3 octaves as appropriate for your instrument.
- Percussion: Demonstrate loud (fff) and soft (ppp) rolls on snare drum (mandatory) and timpani (optional, if available) and loud (fff) and soft (ppp) crashes on a pair of crash cymbals (optional, if available). It is encouraged that if a student has access to a mallet percussion instrument, 2 different major or minor scales in 2 octaves on marimba, xylophone, or bell set.
- In lieu of sight-reading this year, musicians will be asked to submit the corresponding orchestral excerpt(s) posted on the webpage.
- Percussion: Only play the mallet percussion excerpt if you have access to a xylophone.
- HINT: It is better to take a slow tempo that is comfortable rather than a fast tempo that will cause you to stop. Harps do not need to submit an orchestral excerpt.