Southeastern Minnesota Youth Orchestras (SEMYO)

Date Modified: 05/29/2008 2:50 PM

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Southeastern Minnesota Youth Orchestras (SEMYO) is a non-profit organization consisting of four youth orchestras and ensembles for musicians from 3rd grade to 12th grade. Membership is by audition. SEMYO is dedicated to the artistic and personal development of young instrumental musicians in southeast Minnesota.

SEMYO is open to any young musician, elementary through twelfth grade, who plays an orchestral instrument. Students are evaluated on the quality of their audition and are then placed in the appropriate orchestra: beginners to intermediate will be placed in Chamber Strings (strings only), advanced intermediate players will be placed in the Philharmonic Orchestra, and advanced players will be placed in the Concert Orchestra. Students play in concerts, performed at the end of each trimester before a paying audience.

SEMYO is made up of five orchestras:
Percussion Ensemble offers ensemble opportunities for percussion students of varying levels.
SEMYO Symphonic Winds is a group open to elementary to eighth grade students with at least one year of playing experience playing woodwinds, brass, or percussion.
Chamber Strings is for string players grades 1-8, with a minimum of 1-2 years playing experience. The orchestra covers the fundamentals of ensemble playing.
Philharmonic Orchestra is a full, all instruments orchestra for advanced intermediate players in the 5th through 11th grades. Works include both arranged and original pieces.
Concert Orchestra performs challenging original works of diverse styles. This full orchestral experience is for advanced players generally high school age.