Orchestras
The Fairbanks Youth Symphony
The Fairbanks Youth Symphony provides a full symphonic experience for all advanced-level string, wind, brass, and percussion players. Most players are in high school. The Youth Symphony plays fully scored orchestral works. The emphasis of this group is to expose members to the richness of the orchestral literature and to continue to enhance their playing and musical skills. Again, the emphasis is on cooperation and teamwork with a high expectation of commitment from the members. The conductor determines seating through the audition process in the fall. Adjustments may be made as needed. Members joining midseason will be auditioned but may be seated in the back of the section. Seating is based solely on the judgment of the conductor, and decisions are final.
Rehearsals are held on Saturday mornings from 9:30 am to noon with a snack break midway through the rehearsal.
The conductor asks that all players arrive 15 minutes early to help set up so that rehearsal can start on time. Rehearsals take place at Davis Concert Hall at the University of Alaska Fairbanks.
Conductor:
TJ Hovest
The Fairbanks Youth Concert Orchestra
The Fairbanks Youth Concert Orchestra provides a full orchestra experience for intermediate level string, wind, brass, and percussion players. The goals of this orchestra include an entry level experience of orchestral playing, enhanced ensemble skills with an emphasis on cooperation, increased ease of sight-reading and rhythmic skills, and engendering a sense of pride in the group as a whole. Seating in this orchestra is at the discretion of the conductor. The conductor can change the seating arrangement at any time. The attempt with seating is to achieve a full and balanced sound for the orchestra. String players should have some experience with shifting for this group, and wind players should know the fingerings for a chromatic scale for the range of their instrument. Most musicians in this group have been playing at least 3 years.
Rehearsals are held on Saturday mornings from 9:30 am to 11:45 am with a snack break midway through the rehearsal. (The conductor asks that all players arrive 10 to 15 minutes early so that rehearsal can start on time.) Rehearsals are held in the McGown Room (Rm 217) of the UAF fine arts complex.
Conductor:
Dr. Sean Dowgray
Read Bio
Dr. Sean Dowgray is a classical percussionist specializing in modern and contemporary music. His work encompasses performance, teaching, recording, research, composition, curation, directing, conducting, and public speaking. He is currently a Term Assistant Professor of Music at the University of Alaska Fairbanks, where he leads the UAF Percussion Group, the Circumpolar Music Series, and the UAF Jazz Combo. He is a graduate of the Interlochen Arts Academy; the Oberlin Conservatory (B.M.); the University of Alaska Fairbanks (M.M.); and the University of California, San Diego (D.M.A.), where he studied with world-renowned percussionist, conductor, and author Steven Schick.
The Fairbanks Youth String Orchestra
The Fairbanks Youth String Orchestra is an entry level group for beginning level string players with some sight reading ability. Musicians should have at least one year experience with their instrument. The emphasis of the group is to develop ensemble playing skills, increase sight reading skills, and develop a cooperative spirit where every player realizes their importance to the whole. Seating is based on music reading ability, physical comfort (player’s size), and balance of sound. Emphasis in seating is placed on cooperation and offering a range of experience. Two balanced violin sections are striven for with both sections being given some “first” violin and some “second” violin parts. Seating is at the discretion of the conductor.
Rehearsals are held on Saturday mornings from 10:00 am to 11:30 am with a snack break midway through the rehearsal. (The conductor asks that all players arrive 10 to 15 minutes early for tuning.) The rehearsals are held at the UAF fine arts complex, music building room 301.
Conductor:
Dr. Daniel Strawser
Read Bio
Dr. Daniel Strawser is a cellist, educator, and conductor who has taught and performed throughout the United States.
Originally from Columbus, Ohio, Dr. Strawser studied music education at Denison University and holds masters and doctoral degrees in cello performance from the University of Memphis, where he studied with Brazilian cellist Leo Altino.
For nine years, Dr. Strawser taught public school in Memphis, Tennessee. While there he organized and maintained active orchestra programs throughout the city of Memphis in some of the most impoverished and crime-ridden neighborhoods in the United States. This time in public education gave Dr. Strawser a great passion for helping young people experience and enjoy classical music.
Dr. Strawser currently teaches at the University of Alaska Fairbanks, where he applies his years of experience as a cellist and a teacher to run the Music Education program, training the next generation of teachers for Alaska. He also performs as principal cellist with the Fairbanks Symphony Orchestra, and remains active as a performer in and out of Alaska.
As someone who grew up in a youth orchestra program, Dr. Strawser looks forward to leading the children of the Fairbanks String Orchestra to many of the same great experiences that helped him become the musician that he is today.
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