YOUTH ORCHESTRA

The Southwest Florida Symphony Youth Orchestra is an auditioned group comprised of the best young musicians in a three county area. An important outreach activity of the Symphony, it provides quality symphonic training and performance experience for young musicians. They are coached by Symphony musicians, rehearse weekly and perform during many Symphony events and in their own series.

Want to Join the Youth Orchestra?
CLICK HERE FOR AUDITION INFORMATION TO JOIN THE YOUTH ORCHESTRA

COACHES AND ENSEMBLE LEADERS

Strings:Reiko Niiya, Concertmaster for the Southwest Florida Symphony

Strings: Alex Albanese, Double Bass Southwest Florida Symphony

Woodwinds:Cheryle Naberhaus,

Brass: Tom Kracmer, Principal Tuba, Southwest Florida Symphony

Percussion: Todd Betz: Principal Percussion, Southwest Florida Symphony

Youth Orchestra Manager: Todd Betz

SINFONIETTA
The Sinfonietta features our youngest intermediate-level string players. It offers the

opportunity to perform in a group and advanced instruction. They rehearse weekly and

perform throughout the season.

YOUTH ORCHESTRA AUDITIONS
Auditions will be held Aug. 31 and Sept. 1 for the upcoming season and are by appointment only.
The Youth Orchestra rehearses Monday evenings during the season, September – May.
For an audition appointment or more information, e-mail us at manager@swfsyo.org.

     The Youth Orchestra is sponsored in part by:
     L.A.T. Foundation
     The Southwest Florida Symphony Society
     Wachovia Wells-Fargo Foundation
     Publix Supermarket Charities


     ABOUT MRS. GRANT

    Mrs. Grant has extensive orchestra teaching experience covering grades two through     college in Ohio, Indiana, Missouri, New York, and Florida.  She has taught private lessons     with ages 4 – 70.

    She earned a B.S. in Music Education (cum laude) from Ball State University in Muncie, IN     and a M. S. in Music Education (magna cum laude) from the University of Illinois in     Champaign-Urbana plus extensive studies in Suzuki pedagogy throughout the country. 

    Nanette has performed as a professional violinist in numerous orchestras, quartets and
    as a free-lance soloist.  She is a certified adjudicator for the state of Florida. Mrs. Grant     directed the All-County Orchestra in upstate New York and received the “Outstanding     Achievement in Orchestral Development” from her alma mater. 

    Mrs. Grant teaches orchestra in Collier County at Pine Ridge Middle School, Barron Collier     High School and The Community School of Naples.

     ABOUT MAESTRO HALL

Recognized for his musically distinguished performances, Michael Hall is now in his third     season as Music Director of the Southwest Florida Symphony. He has held the positions
    of Associate Conductor with the Pacific Symphony in California and the Havant Symphony     Orchestra in the UK, as well as Resident Conductor with the Winnipeg Symphony
    Orchestra.

Mr. Hall’s numerous guest appearances include some of the finest orchestras in North     America, including the Houston Symphony, the Toronto Symphony, the Vancouver     Symphony, the Toledo Symphony, the Northeastern Pennsylvania Philharmonic, the     Windsor Symphony as well as the Manitoba Chamber Orchestra. The 2008-09 season     includes a re-invitation to the Tucson Symphony.

Hall holds a Masters degree in conducting from the University of Michigan, and a DipRAM     fom the Royal Academy of Music in London where he worked with Sir Colin Davis. He was a
    finalist in the 2003 International Conducting Competition in Besançon France, and was     awarded Third Prize in the 2004 Cadaques Orchestra International Conducting     Competition in Spain.