May 5, 2009

Leo Kucinski Academy of Music to hold Youth Orchestra auditions

The Leo Kucinski Academy of Music will hold Youth Orchestra auditions May 12-14 from 6-8 p.m. and May 16 from 9 a.m. to noon in Room 100 of the MacCollin Classroom Building, 3625 Garretson Ave.

Musicians will be auditioning for placement in Siouxland Symphonette, Siouxland Philharmonia or Siouxland Youth Symphony. Those interested in scheduling a 10-minute audition slot may contact Suzy Turnquist, administrative assistant for the Leo Kucinski Academy of Music, at 712-274-5357 or turnquist@morningside.edu.

Siouxland Symphonette is an elementary level string ensemble designed for students who have learned the fundamentals of playing violin, viola, cello or string bass, and who have basic knowledge of music reading. The ensemble is conducted by Jungho Kim.

Siouxland Philharmonia is an ensemble open to string, wind and percussion players at an intermediate level of development. Repertoire includes examples from both the classical and semi-popular traditions. Siouxland Philharmonia is conducted by Dr. Dan Auerbach, violin professor at Morningside College and assistant concertmaster of the Sioux City Symphony. He is assisted by Melissa Cummins.

Siouxland Youth Symphony plays standard orchestral repertoire. Its members learn about professional standards of playing and orchestra protocol. Members are generally advanced high school and college musicians. The orchestra is conducted by Joseph Shufro, associate professor of music at Morningside College and principal cellist for the Sioux City Symphony Orchestra.

More detailed information on audition requirements is available on the academy’s Web site: kucinskiacademy.com.

All of the ensembles practice on Monday evenings in the MacCollin Classroom Building. They present two concerts each year at Morningside College in Eppley Auditorium.

The Leo Kucinski Academy of Music, which opened in the fall of 2004, serves student musicians from the age of 4 through college. In addition to managing the Siouxland Youth Orchestras, the academy provides private instruction, performance classes, early string group classes and the Bishop Heelan Catholic School String Program.