Youth Orchestra 
Bay Youth Symphony (BaYS)
Music Director Jim Vinci
Managing Director Candace Kniffen
Artistic Advisor Steven Karidoyanes
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.
Rehearsals take place at the Duxbury Performing Arts Center on Wednesday nights.
*Dolce Strings is for students with a minimum of one year of lessons and a recommendation from their private lesson instructor.
Bay Youth Symphony 2010-2011 Season Auditions - auditions on specific instruments for Symphony are being held. For more information, or to schedule an audition, 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.
2010-2011 Audition Schedule
Audition fee: $15
Hingham Campus, One Conservatory Drive
June 1: 4:30 - 8:30 pm
Duxbury Campus, Ellison Center for the Arts, 64 St. George Street
May 15: 9 am - 1 pm
May 24: 4 - 8 pm
May 26: 4 - 8 pm
June 9: 4 - 8 pm
To schedule an audition time, you may fill out an application form, or click here. Audition suggestions may be obtained online as well. BaYS contact: c.kniffen@sscmusic.org. After the scheduled audition dates, auditions will be scheduled only if vacancies exist in specific sections.
PLEASE NOTE: paying tuitions online with PayPal does not register you for this program!
Click here to submit an online registration request or contact our Registrar for more details.
| Dolce Strings Conductor: Theresa Johnson No audition required $325/year |
Sinfonia Conductor: Nicholas Tatarka Audition required $375/year |
Symphony Conductor: James Vinci Audition required $450/year |
BaYS Symphony and String Orchestra Audition Requirements
For All Instruments:
SOLO PIECE: representative of the literature for your instrument.
SCALES: Specific scale requirements for each ensemble listed below.
SIGHT-READING: All students except Dolce Strings will be asked to sight-read.
Strings, Woodwinds and Brass for all ensembles
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 is 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. Presently, as Director of Orchestras for the Medfield, Ma. Public Schools, Nick is responsible for and teaches 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 has 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. |
Financial Aid
Financial aid is available 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. The deadline for Fall 2009 financial aid applications is August 7, 2009.
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.