I knew then that she was hooked on music and so were we.

After moving to Palm Coast in December of 2007, Olivia jumped right into classes at FYO. She had a rocky start but came around by the end of the 2008 season. She even started teaching her younger sister to play in her spare time.
Both girls continued to play together in the program for the next two years. Olivia worked diligently to make her way into the top orchestra under Jonathan May. She, along with all the others, were devastated by his passing. She and her sister continued to grow under the direction of Caren Umbarger. They excelled in school, proving all the experts correct in the correlations between students who study music and better school performance. Priceless to any parent raising young adults in our society today.
Last year, Cheryl arranged for the top orchestra, known as the Harmony Chamber Orchestra, to perform for seniors at area nursing homes and facilities. I consider this one of my favorite days as a volunteer for FYO. The faces on those folks enjoying the beautiful music our children performed. I know every other parent attending agrees with me. Such a gift! I wished the families of those seniors could be there to see the toe tapping and swaying in their seats.

Fast forward to this May…after almost six years, Olivia is still playing strong. We often talk about her music and its impact on her. She comments about moving to Florida, being part of FYO and now a band member at FPCHS where she plays the clarinet and trumpet. She tells me how important her music is in her life and how she thinks that moving here with both programs has made her musical experience so full.

After leaving the final concert last week, I couldn’t help but think how valuable the FYO has been to this family as a whole. I have happily volunteered for every concert and however Cheryl has needed me for classes Mondays and Wednesdays. It consists of a network of families who place real value on what this program has to offer and values what they are able to do in return. I am happy to call many of these parents my friends and I hope they feel the same.

Today, Olivia began her preparation for Chamber Music Camp which will conclude with a performance after just five classes along with practice at home. She just started on the viola. She discussed her struggles, but I know with this program behind her and her instructors with her, she will succeed. She will spend the summer away at band camp at FSU and study with Caren on the viola. I look forward to what she will be able to accomplish in the coming year. I only wish every person in our community could share in the benefits of this program. It’s such a gift to our young adults in our area. It provides a unique experience for our older population as well. It was the deciding factor on making a home in Palm Coast. FYO for this family is a priceless gift.

With Gratitude & Peace,
Respectfully,
Sharon H. Pinard, Olivia’s mom and FYO Volunteer

Noah, FYO cellist.

On the topic of learning to read music and traveling the world, our beloved Jonathan May once said, “You can travel to any country and not be able to speak or understand their spoken language, but start playing with the musicians and everyone understands each other.” What a gift our children have been given here in our very own town of Palm Coast.

We are finishing up our seventh year with the Flagler Youth Orchestra!

Emma performing in May 2013.

My oldest child Noah is 12, and his experience has been quite unique. He has learned to read treble, alto, and bass clef. Talk about learning languages! Noah played the violin, viola, and is currently (final answer) on the cello. My youngest is Emma, age 9. Emma’s on the cello as well, after playing the violin for a couple years. Learning to play takes such dedication and discipline, and those are two virtues that I can say have crossed over into their everyday life. They tackle their school work and any challenges in the same way they take on learning their music. Being part of this orchestra has given both of my children a creative outlet, confidence, and a love of music that will last a lifetime.

Over the years, we’ve had opportunities to move to bigger cities and the FYO has always been a big determining factor for us staying. I’m so grateful for this program. It’s been an honor and a privilege having my children study with all of these talented instructors.

Looking forward to many more years of my children becoming fluent in their music languages.

~Diane Soto, Noah and Emma’s mom and FYO Volunteer

Annabel, Betsy and future student, Chloe

As parents and residents of Palm Coast for more than 23 years, we want you to know how our family has been impacted by FYO.

Our oldest daughter Annabel is 12, and has just completed her fourth year with FYO. She has flourished in the program, dedicating hours to practice at home, and this year progressed to the Harmony Chamber Orchestra. Due to her obvious commitment and dedication, we recently invested in a “concert” violin, after renting instruments for years. Annabel admires her peers in the program and is continually inspired by her dedicated, talented instructors. She shares her talent with others at church events, educational events, a sporting event, and recently at a nursing home.

Our middle daughter, Betsy is 9 and finished her second year with the orchestra. We are so proud of her artistic accomplishments. As a shy, quite student, having the ability to read music and play violin in the “orchestra” setting has given her confidence….she is a part of something bigger than herself. Her performance skills have improved significantly and she is looking forward to advancing in the FYO. She shared this past week that she has her eye on the “first chair” position!

Our youngest daughter Chloe has been anticipating being a part of FYO for several years. (She is eligible to join the program in the fall as a third grader.) She was recently measured for her instrument and last week, came home with a violin. Her sisters have begun giving her advice and instruction and when they practice, Chloe pulls out her instrument. She is counting the weeks until she’s a member of FYO herself.

We appreciate FYO more than words can ever express. Without FYO, it would not be possible for the girls to have music lessons. This program is invaluable to the community, and the hundreds of families it serves.

~ Margaret Baker, Flagler Youth Orchestra mom volunteer

I almost didn’t recognize it at first,
the music that is,
and the hand that played it.

For the first time in three years she spoke it,
and it became her native tongue.
Each note taking tenure as the melody unfolded along her bow,
while each string sighed and eased each note,
giving lease and measure
to a heaven most of us know nothing about.

~Rich Robinson, Ally’s Dad

When the FYO season started this past fall, Tristan decided he was going to put in the necessary work. Since September, he has practiced at least 5 days each week, but usually 6. He’s excited to learn new pieces and to progress in the orchestra. We recently upgraded to a better violin, and he’s thrilled with the sound!! As we’ve reached the end of this year’s season, I’m amazed at the growth I see in my son. He’s excited about music, he wants to improve and has committed to doing so, and is overcoming his insecurities about being in front of people.

Without the FYO, I think he’d still be quitting things that were difficult, instead of finding the desire to improve himself.

~Christina Allan, Flagler Youth Orchestra mom

In the mean time, 2nd grade began her challenging times. Her grades slowly began to fall. I thought the material was more challenging because the school switched curriculum again. Over the next two years she went from being a social butterfly to a timid mouse.

In 3rd grade my daughter brought home the much anticipated FYO open house papers. We went and were amazed with the skill levels of the children in the program. From beginner to D orchestra, they are AMAZING! My daughter wanted to be a part of the program.

She was very nervous those first few practices. Ms. Caren was patient with my daughter. She showed my daughter that music can be an outlet. She gained some confidence through Ms. Caren and being onstage performing with the FYO that year.

In 4th grade my daughter and I had a serious talk. We realized that she was being teased and bullied in school. We wanted to quit going to standard school, but we were in fear of being removed from FYO. Ms Cheryl assured us we were still welcome.

My daughter is now going into 6th grade. She is gaining confidence back every day. She uses music to calm herself. Being bullied has brought on anger issues and her violin helps ease those. She just plays away the frustration.

Her younger sister is now a member also, playing the double bass that she has being playing with in the green room over the last few years. FYO has saved our family from the anger and frustration of being bullied. It brings our family members in from out of town for concerts, teaches my daughter confidence, the value of hard work, and makes the most beautiful sounds my house has ever heard!

We LOVE the FYO!!!!

~ Amy Barrett, Orchestra mom of Zana and Margaret

First, being able to read the notes easily doesn’t mean that a student is playing them well.  Note reading is only one aspect of being a musician and therefore is only one factor in successfully performing a piece of music.  Have the student answer the following questions:

1. Are you playing every note perfectly in tune, with correct articulation and dynamics?
2. Is your form perfect as you play your music?  Is your left hand in perfect position?  Is your bow hold perfect, bow arm perfect, bow use perfect?
3. Do you have artistry in your playing?  Are the notes you’re playing full of life and finesse or are they flat and heavy?
4. Is your musical contribution to the group helping to lead and advance the artistry of the music?

Also, a student might be able to play a part individually, but playing with an ensemble, where one must adjust and take into account how everything fits together, is a completely separate skill that stands on its own and is learned with much practice over time.  Students must learn how to move their bows up and down together with their section and must understand how their part contributes to the overall musical mission of the piece. These valuable skills can ONLY be acquired in the VERY short time (one hour per week) that they have playing TOGETHER in the classroom.

Accessible Music Benefits Everyone, Makes Artistry Possible

When a student declares that the music is too easy, they are saying that they think they are a better player than they really are.  This student hasn’t figured out the benefit of playing easier music in an ensemble: it provides an opportunity for a group level of artistry to be achieved that could not happen with harder music.  If some students in an ensemble are struggling to play notes, then artistry is nothing more than a concept.  But, if the notes are accessible, and if everyone learns their part, then ensembles can actually become vehicles for the highest levels of musical and artistic expression.  Students who think the music is too easy should spend their ensemble rehearsal time perfecting form, intonation, bowing, shifting, entrances, timing, rhythms, and any other aspects of their musicianship that will add to and enhance the overall performance of the group.

We place students in different levels in order to optimize both the students’ and the ensembles’ success.  In FYO at present there are no students whose playing level is so high that they are “too advanced” for the music of their ensemble level.  Music for ensembles is selected in order to challenge the members and offer the ensemble the potential to sound excellent at performance time.  Although there may be simpler passages or phrases in the music, overall, the difficulty level of each piece is selected for the potential success of the entire group.

No Short Cuts to Better Playing or Confidence

The FYO is set up so that students can progress upwards through the playing levels as they gain skills and expertise on their instruments.  Each level that a student passes through must be mastered before they can move up.  There are no shortcuts in this process.  No one can skip a level without losing out on what is to be learned while at that level.

Confidence in a musician is born from skill acquisition, which is only achieved through constant and repetitive practice.  There are no short cuts to playing better; one must be able play the music at the level they are at before tackling harder music.  When a student is able to say “this is fairly easy music for me, but I still have lots of things to work on as I learn to play it perfectly”, then it will be clear that this student understands and is committed to how the process of improvement really works.

Method Book

First, your method book. String Builder, Book 1. Be sure to purchase the version for the instrument your child is playing. Here is a link to the book for violin at Amazon.com, but you can also purchase this book from any of the music stores who attend the open house: The Violin Shop, Yancey’s Music, and Music and Arts, or any other online store. It sells for approximately $7. Your goal should be to have this book in hand by the 3rd class.

Shoulder rest for violins/violas

Violin and viola students: you will need a shoulder rest. We recommend the Everest model. Make sure you select the correct size.  Here is a link to the violin shoulder rest at Shar Music, but you can purchase from any of the music stores that attended the open house or any other online store. They are approximately $13 – $21.

Violists, please see Ms. Caren or Cheryl for assistance on purchasing shoulder rests for your instrument. The violin version can work on many sizes of violas, which will save you some money. Your goal is to have this item as soon you as can arrange it.

Renting/purchasing the instrument

If you are in the market to purchase a student level violin, the Franz Hoffmann student level instruments from Shar Music were tested in our program last year with very good results. Shar Music will not be at the open house on September 12, but they have a very convenient online rental program which can be found at this link.  We would be thrilled to have their instruments in our classroom. Be sure to select the correct size and don’t forget to mention the method book above when ordering. A Kun or Everest shoulder rest are best.

Strings

On the matter of the actual strings. They break. Please don’t sweat it. It’s unlikely your child did anything wrong to make it happen. They are usually not an “insured” item on the instrument, so you’ll need to replace them. (They’re like a belt on your vacuum cleaner.) We keep a healthy stock of strings and you’re welcome to purchase one from us. We’ll restring it for you, too. Don’t pay someone to do it! We can take care of it.

Rosin

Rosin is the sticky stuff your child will put on their bow to help create sound. Every child should have a block of it in their case. We sell rosin in our Suite Shop, or you can purchase it from any of the stores on our music store page or online.

If you need to contact any of the music stores from last night, here is a link to the music store page with their contact information. If you have any questions about selecting an instrument, the necessary accessories or anything to do with this learning experience, please do not hesitate to ask. We really want to help each of you along in this process.

A simple yet hugely helpful way to support the Flagler Youth Orchestra is to donate concessions items to our Suite Shop! Candy bars, small bags of chips, Pop Tarts, crackers, baked goods and flavored canned soda (no caffeine, please) are always needed and appreciated, and can be dropped off in the Green Room.

If you would like to drop off treats for the Suite Shop before the beginning of the new year, please contact Ms. Cheryl, (386)263-2543, to make pick-up / delivery arrangements!

Click on the sign up now button below to find out what our needs are and let us know how you can help!

Jeremy, in red, during chamber camp, led by Lucas Drew.

My son, Jeremy, decided rather spontaneously to learn to play the bass. I confess, I didn’t expect him to continue with it, but he has put his heart into it, and I have marveled over the last few years at both his commitment and his talent. FYO has helped to develop a strength of character in him, through the discipline needed to practice and rise to the challenge of playing increasingly difficult pieces. The gifted and attentive staff has nurtured his appreciation for real, historical, dynamic music, a refreshing alternative to the mindless noise that passes for music today. I look forward to each opportunity to hear him play, and to seeing where this investment of his time will take him in the future. Thank you, FYO!