SOURCE: Town of Cornelius Parks, Arts, Recreation & Culture
The Cornelius Youth Orchestras (CYO) are holding three informational open houses and auditions this summer as they begin registration for fall programs. Open houses will be Tuesdays July 20, July 27, and Aug. 10 from 6:30 to 8 p.m. at Cornelius Town Hall, 21445 W. Catawba Ave. Reservations are requested; please contact Nanette Haraden 704-576-7270.

Registration is now under way for the orchestras’ fall programs, which are designed to enhance youths’ musical education with challenging compositions in a full orchestra setting. It’s open to musicians in grades 1-12, with at least three years of music instruction who can perform moderate- to concert-level musical compositions.

This program includes 30 minutes of sectional instruction from qualified music instructors, 90 minutes of group orchestra rehearsal and the opportunity for public performances. All rehearsals are at Bailey Middle School, 11900 Bailey Road, Cornelius.

Four programs are available:

The Cornelius Youth Orchestra is open to youth musicians with three or more years’ music instruction who can perform moderate- to concert-level musical compositions. This program includes 30 minutes of sectional instruction from qualified music instructors, 90 minutes of group orchestra rehearsal and the opportunity for public performances. Rehearsals are Tuesdays from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.

The Cornelius Cadet Orchestra is open for youth musicians with one to three years of music instruction and is intended as a beginning orchestra program. This program is 75 minutes of orchestra instruction and the opportunity for performance in a group setting. Rehearsals are Tuesdays from 6:30 to 7:45 p.m.

CYO Beginners Group offers musical instruction taught by qualified music instructors. This program is open to youth with little or no instrumental instruction. Is your youth interested in playing an instrument, but doesn’t know which one? We can help introduce your youth to the various instruments so they can select the one that is right for them. This program offers 75 minutes of group instruction and the opportunity for performance in a group setting. Rehearsals are Tuesdays from 6:30 to 7:45 p.m.

New this season: CYO Jazz Ensemble! Our Director William “Bill” Haraden will be instructing the Jazz Ensemble program. This program is offered to youth musicians with three or more years of music instruction, with or without prior jazz experience. The program is 45 minutes of jazz musical instruction and the opportunity for performance in a group setting. Rehearsals are Tuesdays from 6-6:45pm, which will enable youth musicians to participate in both Jazz and Youth Orchestra.

Cornelius Youth Orchestras (CYO) is a non-profit musical organization dedicated to providing cultural enrichment, musical instruction and unique performance opportunities for local youth through a specialized orchestral program. Currently under the direction of Bill Haraden, the CYO offers multiple levels of group instrumental instruction for beginning to advanced youth musicians, performing community events on a regular basis each year.

For more program information or to register, please contact Nanette Haraden, Program Director at 704-576-7270 or visit us online at www.corneliusyouthorchestras.com.

For additional information about recreation center programs please contact the Town of Cornelius PARC Department at 704-765-1450 or visit us online at www.corneliuspr.org.