concert winds

The Concert Winds is an exciting new youth band for musicians 10 to 14 years of age. The band rehearses once a week and musicians receive regular professional instruction in full rehearsals as well as in individual and small group settings.

Musicians with at least one full year of playing experience on their instrument are welcome to join. Our season begins in September and runs until May and we pack a lot of cool activities into the year, including public performances, a retreat weekend with special guest artists, participation in a regional festival and even a ski-trip! So if you’re looking to make new friends, get great instruction, improve your playing and (most importantly) have fun, then check us out.

WHO ARE WE?
The Toronto Youth Wind Orchestra (TYWO) began as the dream of its Founder and Artistic Director Colin Clarke, while himself a high school student. Now entering its 18th season, this multi-award-winning ensemble has gained nationwide recognition as one of the leading performance bands in Canada, with accomplishments that include CD recordings, radio and TV appearances, and collaboration with many renowned conductors and guest artists. In May, 2006 the Wind Orchestra had the honour of being the first-ever Canadian youth band to be invited to perform at New York's legendary Carnegie Hall as part of the Ensemble Spotlight Series.

The Concert Winds were created to provide a similar musical opportunity for younger, less experienced players. The focus of this program is to offer advanced musical instruction both in individual and group settings, while teaching valuable lessons in teamwork, problem-solving and creative learning.

The Toronto Youth Wind Orchestra is a community-driven youth ensemble which operates largely through the support of a wide network of volunteers and patrons, committed to providing life-enhancing experiences for young people through the study and performance of instrumental music.

REGISTRATION
Membership in the Concert Winds is open to all musicians with at least one year of playing experience.

DATE: Sunday, September 13th, 2009
LOCATION: St. Michael's College School
1515 Bathurst Street
North-east corner of Bathurst and
St. Clair (St. Clair West subway station)
(SEE MAP - right)

Registration Day gives us a chance to get to know you, and to help us determine seating arrangements. If you've never joined a band before, relax! We go out of our way to make the experience as positive and stress-free as possible. We even serve juice and cookies!

HOW TO APPLY
To get more information and a printable application form, please visit this page. Please email us at auditions@tywo.ca or call 416-321-TYWO with any questions and to schedule a time to come and meet us. There is a registration fee of $20.00 per instrument.

MEMBERSHIP FEES
Our membership fee is $400 for the season. That includes about 36 rehearsals, workshops, concerts, a retreat and plenty of social activities. That works out to a little over $4 an hour...less than the cost of a box of Crayola crayons!!
The membership fee covers only one-fifth of the TYWO program. The balance is made up with assistance of the Ontario Trillium Foundation, by the gracious contributions of our corporate sponsors and private donors, and through various fund-raising initiatives.

Payment should be made by cheque payable to the TORONTO YOUTH WIND ORCHESTRA.

It is the philosophy of our organization that no musician be refused participation due to financial hardship. A limited number of bursaries are available to those who are in need of assistance. Application forms are available upon request.

REHEARSAL SCHEDULE
Rehearsals take place every Sunday afternoon at St. Michael's College School (Bathurst & St. Clair) and run from 2:30 - 4:30 pm. The first rehearsal is scheduled for Sunday, September 20, 2009. For a complete list of rehearsal and performance dates, log on to our website at www.tywo.ca (click on rehearsal schedule) or call us at (416)321-TYWO.

REHEARSAL VENUES
St. Michael's College School , 1515 Bathurst Street, Toronto (Bathurst & St. Clair)
York Mills Collegiate Institute, 490 York Mills Road, North York (between Bayview and Leslie)