Youth Orchestra
Bay Youth Symphony (BaYS)
Music Director Jim Vinci
Managing Director Candace Kniffen
Artistic Advisor Steven Karidoyanes
Conductors Theresa Fritz (Dolce Strings), Nick Tatarka (Sinfonia), Jim Vinci (Symphony)
BaYS is an auditioned*, sequential youth orchestra program designed to create an opportunity for dedicated and talented young musicians, living in communities throughout Southeastern Massachusetts, to perform symphonic music at a high level in a well organized and supportive orchestra program. In partnership with the Plymouth Philharmonic Orchestra, the program offers ensembles at three levels: a string ensemble for younger students (Dolce Strings), a full symphonic orchestra for intermediate level students (Sinfonia), and a senior full symphonic orchestra (Symphony). Artistic Advisor Steven Karidoyanes meets and rehearses with the orchestras three times per year. Students are coached by SSC faculty members and area music educators.
SSC private lesson students will receive a $25 discount.
Rehearsals take place at the Duxbury Performing Arts Center on Wednesday.
Dolce Strings is for students with a minimum of one year of lessons. Private lessons, though not required, are strongly recommended. *No audition is required. To register for Dolce Strings, contact Candace Kniffen at c.kniffen@sscmusic.org.
Bay Youth Symphony 2010-2011 Season Auditions - Although auditions for the 2010-2011 Season have been completed, a few vacancies do still exist on some specific instruments. For more information, call 781-749-7565 ext.32, or contact Managing Director Candace Kniffen c.kniffen@sscmusic.org. Students wishing to enroll in Dolce Strings, the new elementary string ensemble, do not need to audition. They may register at either SSC campus, or online.
| Dolce Strings Conductor: Theresa Johnson Wednesdays, 6-7 pm No audition required $350/year |
Sinfonia Conductor: Nicholas Tatarka Wednesdays, 6:30-8 pm Audition required $400/year |
Symphony Conductor: James Vinci Wednesdays, 6:30-8:30 pm Audition required $475/year |
BaYS Symphony and Sinfonia Audition Requirements
Strings, Woodwinds and Brass
SOLO PIECE: Piece that demonstrates student’s ability and highest technical skills. Students should demonstrate knowledge of style, expression and articulation.
SCALES: Symphony students should know Major scales up to four sharps and four flats in as many octaves as possible. And at least one minor scale (natural or melodic). Woodwinds and Brass must play a chromatic scale in the range of their instrument.
SCALES: Sinfonia students should know Major scales up to three sharps and three flats in as many octaves as possible. Woodwinds and Brass must play a chromatic scale in the range of their instrument.
BaYS Music Director, Symphony Conductor - James Vinci |
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A graduate of the University of Connecticut, where he received his Bachelors Degree in Music Education, Mr. Vinci recently retired as the Middle and High School Orchestra Director for the Duxbury Public Schools. He also holds a Masters Degree in Education from Cambridge College. In addition to his award winning ensembles in Duxbury, he has guest conducted Festival Orchestras including SEMSBA, MSOA, and the Massachusetts Music Educator’s Associations Central, Southeast, and Western District Orchestras. He was named 2001 Orchestra Director of the Year by the American String Teachers Association with the National School Orchestra Association, and in 2003 received the Lowell Mason Award for outstanding contributions to Music Education. |
BaYS Sinfonia Conductor - Nicholas Tatarka |
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A native of Boardman Ohio, Nick Tatarka earned Bachelor Degrees in Music Education and in Performance from Boston University. His principal instrument is the String Bass. Recently named Middle and High School Orchestra Director for the Duxbury. Public Schools, Nick previously taught Medfield where he was responsible for all of the string instrument lessons and orchestras in grades 4 through 12. In 2008, his high school orchestra was awarded a gold medal at the MICCA Festival. He also established an educational partnership with the Medfield schools and the New Philharmonia Orchestra. Nick has adjudicated SEMSBA and MMEA Eastern District auditions, and while at B.U. served as Manager of the All-Campus Orchestra. He started conducting South Shore Conservatory’s BaYS Sinfonia orchestra in 2008. |
BaYS Dolce Strings Conductor - Theresa Fritz |
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A native of Boston, Theresa is currently the string specialist for the Pembroke, Ma. Public Schools, having received her Masters in Music Education at the Eastman School of Music in Rochester, NY. In addition to her career as an educator, she has adjudicated SEMSBA and MMEA Southeast District auditions. Theresa continues to perform in several orchestras throughout the Boston area including the Cape Ann, Quincy, and Melrose Symphony Orchestras, and the Quincy Bay Chamber Orchestra. |
BaYS Managing Director- Candace Kniffen |
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Ms. Kniffen earned a Bachelors Degree in Music Education from the University of Michigan, and a Masters Degree in Public Administration from Harvard University. She taught Strings and served as Orchestra Director for the Marshfield Public Schools from 1971 until her retirement in 2006. She was also Marshfield’s K-12 Director of Music from 1992 until her retirement. She has managed Jr. and Sr. District and All-State Orchestras, and has managed and conducted Festival Orchestras for SEMSBA She plays violin with the Mayflower String Quartet, and has played with the Hingham Symphony and the Plymouth Philharmonic Orchestras. In 2002 Ms. Kniffen was named Arts Educator of the Year by the South Shore Conservatory. |
BaYS Artistic Advisor - Steven Karidoyanes |
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As Conductor of the Plymouth Philharmonic Orchestra since 1994, Mr. Karidoyanes brings a wealth of experience to BaYS. He earned a Bachelor of Music Degree from Boston University and received training in orchestral conducting at the Canford School of Music in Dorset, England where he studied with the renowned British conducting coach, George Hurst. Mr. Karidoyanes is also the Conductor of Masterworks Chorale and the New England Conservatory Youth Symphony. He has served on the faculty of the Boston University Tanglewood Institute for ten seasons, and on the conducting faculty of the New England Conservatory. He has been the Music Director of the Boston College Symphony Orchestra, Associate Conductor of the Winston-Salem Symphony and the Greensboro Symphony Orchestras, and Assistant Conductor of the Rhode Island Philharmonic. |
Financial Aid
Financial aid is available for private lessons for children whose families can document financial need. Application forms are available in the office and as a downloadable Word Document and must be filled out and returned prior to the first week of the semester. All applications will be considered by the Scholarship Committee, which meets before each semester to grant assistance. Recipients of scholarship aid must reapply each semester.
South Shore Conservatory admits students of any race, color, nationality, and ethnic origin to all rights and privileges, programs and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the school.