FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
When and Where Does the Orchestra Meet?
It meets for two hours every Saturday at a central location in Spring Hill. As the orchestra grows a larger rehearsal space will be found.
How Much Does It Cost?
Nothing. It's free. The orchestra is now funded by grants, community organizations and individual sponsors. All who work on behalf of the orchestra are mainly volunteers.
Is There an Audition to Join?
No. However, students should have some level of proficiency on their instruments. We do modify difficult orchestral parts to accommodate less experienced players.
Can Students, When They Turn 18, Continue to Participate?
Sorry, no. We are an orchestra for youth only; however, we'd hope they would join the Hernando Symphony Orchestra if they wanted to continue their orchestral experience. Actually, some of our more proficient musicians have already joined the symphony before reaching 18.
Do You Use the Suzuki Method?
No, we do not because 99.99 percent of music composed for an orchestra is written in traditional tablature. However, many of our members started (and some continue) with the Suzuki method and find it most beneficial towards learning their instrument.
Why Do We Need a County Youth Orchestra?
Because not all schools in the county have orchestras and participating in the county orchestra will enhance the performance of students in school orchestras. The Hernando County Youth Orchestra practices through the summer which helps students maintain their skills for the school orchestra when it resumes in the fall. We offer a broad experience of types of music, types of audiences and the experience of playing with many other student musicians they otherwise would not have the chance to meet. We want to combine fun with learning. As students perform more concerts, they become more comfortable with being in front of an audience. In fact, true learning comes from performance rather than rehearsal. It is when students need to put their learning to the test, at the appointed time, that the lessons fall into place. This experience spills over into all other types of activities.
Will Rehearsals Interfere With School Work?
We rehearse only once a week for a couple of hours. Students not only learn music but also self-discipline and initiative building which has a fundamental impact on their ability to do their schoolwork. Students often participate in after-school acitivities. Parents must decide which activities are appropriate for their children.
