Madison City Youth Orchestra offers new venue for young musicians
William and Rebecca Wortham will direct the three divisions of Madison City Youth Orchestra. (CONTRIBUTED)
MADISON – Young musicians have a new venue for live performance with Madison City Youth Orchestra.
Frank and Robin Cotton, owners Madison Band Supply, and local music teachers founded the group this year. “The orchestra provides children, youth and adults the opportunity to learn, rehearse and perform in a full-orchestra setting,” Frank Cotton said.
More than 40 student musicians already have joined. Their first rehearsal will be July 8 at Discovery Middle School with beginners from 6:30 to 7:25 p.m., directed by Rebecca Wortham. Intermediate and advanced students will practice from 7:35 to 8:30 p.m., led by William Wortham. Weekly rehearsals will be held on Monday.
Both with master’s degrees in education, the Worthams own Harmony Home Music Studio.
Auditions are held year-round. Intermediate-level students should know three scales minimum and two prepared pieces. Advanced-level students must play five scales minimum and three prepared pieces. Audition music is available at Madison Band Supply. Beginners aren’t required to audition.
Beginners in the orchestra will learn to properly maintain their instruments, technique and posture and basic music history and theory. “And all while making friends and having fun,” Wortham said. “We’ll take flute, clarinet, oboe, saxophone, French horn, trumpet, trombone, baritone, tuba, drums and bells, along with violins, violas, cellos, bass and harp.”
Intermediate and advanced members will build “ensemble musicianship and playing skills while also learning how to peer-mentor and team-teach,” Frank said. Members will be introduced to a vast music genre, including baroque, classical, pop and patriotic, while developing a lifelong love of learning and music through a nurturing, dedicated experience.”
Madison City Youth Orchestra will perform at least two annual concerts, free to the public. Organizers hope to secure support from arts commissions and private and corporate donations to eventually include chamber ensembles, summer programs and camps.
Madison Band Supply’s address is 1604-B Hughes Road. For more information, call 256-325-BAND (2263), e-mail to madisonbandsupply@gmail.com or visit madisonbandsupply.com and Facebook.
