ENSEMBLE OPPORTUNITIES

Founded in 2003, the Palmetto Youth Choristers is the quality, choral music experience at the Lawson Academy. Its mission is to provide quality vocal training and to develop individual talent, self-discipline, self-respect and a great sense of accomplishment through this group singing experience. In addition, its aim is to cultivate an appreciation for the arts and culture through the particular enjoyment of choral music as artistic expression. Our Young Men’s Ensemble for unchanged, changed and changing male voices. Finally, as the Choristers strive to achieve excellence in performance, our hope is to promote the Lawson Academy, Converse College and the Spartanburg community on the state, national and eventually international stage.

Director: Suzanne Wynn Brown
Accompanist: Patricia Crisan

Fall Auditions: August 23-24, 2007; 4:00 - 5:00 pm
Spring Auditions: January 11, 2008; 4:00 - 5:00 pm

Fee per year:

• $225 (one time application fee: $25) for either Chorister group
• $125 (one time application fee: $25) for Young Men’s Ensemble
• $50 per year to add Young Men’s Ensemble to PCC Membership

Schedule:

• Palmetto Children’s Chorus (1st grade and up) Tuesdays, 3:00 - 3:50 pm
• Palmetto Youth Choir (by audition only) Tuesdays, 4:00 - 5:00 pm
• Young Men’s Ensemble (4th grade and up, by audition) Tuesdays, 5:15 - 5:45 pm

For further information, call Suzanne Brown at (864) 585-4250.

Established in 1999, the Palmetto Youth Orchestra has grown and changed over the years to include our Palmetto Youth Strings Program. We perform two concerts a year and enjoy collaborating with local community organizations as opportunities arise. The development of our organization is guided by the ideals set forth in our mission statement.

Educate by expanding each musician’s knowledge of symphonic literature and by working with them individually to continue to improve their technical and musical skills

Encourage by nurturing individual musicians while building an orchestra that works harmoniously together

Excel by motivating PYO and PYS players to reach a little further, to have the desire to excel in rehearsals and performances alike

Enjoy by providing an atmosphere in collaborative work that is both serious and enjoyable so that members will look forward to coming together

Membership in the PYO/PYS is open to students in the sixth through the twelfth grades who exhibit musical talent and expertise on their particular instrument and are willing to bring a passionate commitment to this exceptional orchestral experience. Students are assigned to either orchestra based on audition results.

Conductors:
Brad Stewart, PYO
Norman Neff, PYS

Executive Director:
Paula Morgan

Fall Auditions:
Wednesday, August 23, 2006

Winter Auditions: Wednesday, August 22, 2007
Spring Auditions: Wednesday, January 16, 2008

Reservation and supply fee:
$35 per year PYO and PYS
$250 Palmetto Youth Orchestra
$225 Palmetto Youth Strings

Schedule:
Palmetto Youth Orchestra Rehearsal Time: Sundays, 2:15 – 4:30 pm
Palmetto Youth Strings Rehearsal Time: Sundays, 2:00 – 3:45 pm

For further information, contact the Lawson Academy office at (864) 596-9022 or via email at palmetto.youth@converse.edu.

The Lawson Band Program was established in 2006 to serve home school students and other beginning music students in Spartanburg and the surrounding communities who otherwise would not have the opportunity to participate in a band program.

We are excited to announce for the 2007-08 school year, the program will include both a Beginner Band and an Intermediate Band. Auditions will be held for entry into the Intermediate Band.

Mr. John Holloway, Adjunct Instructor of Tuba and Euphonium, and Dr. Gregory Lindahl, Assistant Professor of Music Education at Converse College will be conducting the bands throughout the season. Mr. Holloway earned his B.M. at Furman University and his M.M.Ed at Florida State University. He has almost thirty years of experience in music education, teaching high school and junior high band, and elementary music. Dr. Lindahl received a D.M.A. in conducting from Arizona State University, a M.M.Ed from Northwestern University, a Fine Arts Diploma in Wind Conducting from the University of Calgary, and a B.Mus. in Music Education from Brandon University. He has over twenty years teaching and conducting experience.

On Thursday, August 23, 2007 at 7:00 pm there will be a special information meeting in the Pre-College Wing for all prospective students and parents to meet Mr. Holloway and Dr. Lindahl and receive information regarding the program and instrument rental, and advice regarding the best instrument choice for beginning musicians.

Director: John R. Holloway, Gregory Lindahl
Executive Director: TBA
Converse Liaison: Karen Hill
Fall Student/Parent Meeting: Thursday, August 23, 2007, 7:00 pm Lawson Academy Recital Hall

Registration:
August 23, 2007, 7:00 pm
August 20 - 31, 2007, 8:30 am – 5:30 pm Lawson Academy Recital Hall

Materials fee:
$25 per year per family

Tuition:
$200 per year for 26 two hour sessions

Schedule:
Thursdays, 3:30 pm – 5:30 pm

For further information, contact the Lawson Academy Office at (864) 596-9022.

Each year, our faculty members nominate their most talented and dedicated students to participate in our Chamber Program. On receiving these acceptances, trios, quartets and quintets are formed, coaches assigned, and rehearsals begin. We also encourage student ensembles from the community to join our program for excellent ensemble coaching.

Ensemble Coaching:
Fee: $80 for 8 45-minute sessions

South Carolina Instrumental Chamber Competition:
Fee $40 per ensemble
Date: March 15, 2008

The Philharmonic Music Club Chamber Scholarship Audition:
Date: April 26, 2008

An Evening of Chamber Music
Presented by Petrie School of Music and Lawson Academy student ensembles
Date: Wednesday, May 7, 2008 7:00 pm, Daniel Recital Hall

Carolina Flute Choir
Director: Mary Delaney Rosinski
Fee: $80 for 8 45-minute sessions
Schedule: TBA

The Carolina Flute Choir has been in existence since the fall of 1993. Their activities have included recital performances, Festival auditions and more. For further information, call Mary Rosinski at (864) 476-6202.

We invite adult students to join us! We offer private instruction in all areas of musical study and welcome beginners as well as experienced students. Each semester we hold our “Musical Gatherings,” special evenings for adult students to get to know each other, and perform. In the spring, we hold a special Adult Scholarship Audition for study during the following year. We are also excited to be able to offer special adult dance classes in ballet, tap and salsa.