ABOUT EYSO
As one of the best pre-college programs in the region, EYSO reinforces the pedagogy of school directors and private teachers, while providing additional performance opportunities and ensemble experience. All students and parents are offered the opportunity for extensive pre-college counseling, assistance with college and scholarship applications and related endeavors. The orchestra is open to string, wind and percussion musicians from 9th-12th grade.

The home of EYSO is the world-class Schwartz Center for Performing Arts on the Emory University campus; members have been under the direction of award-winning conductor and composer Richard Prior (2005-2012) and receive regular sectional instruction from Emory’s Atlanta Symphony Orchestra Artist Affiliates and other Atlanta professionals. The orchestra performs three concerts during the school year in the renowned Emerson Concert Hall.

In the 2009-2010 season, the orchestra and its members were featured on the nationally broadcast From the Top, National Public Radio’s program dedicated to the most outstanding young musicians in the country. EYSO has also been featured at Spivey Hall, performed with guest soloists from the Atlanta Symphony and San Francisco Symphony Orchestras and has appeared in concert with Emory University’s String Quartet in Residence, the Vega String Quartet.

SCHOOL MUSIC PARTICIPATION REQUIREMENT
All members are expected to enroll in their school’s instrumental ensemble music program for the entire school year. Students with no school ensemble program or irreconcilable scheduling conflicts must be recommended to EYSO by a school official or private teacher.

REHEARSALS
Rehearsals are held throughout the school year on Wednesdays from 7:30-9:30pm in the Tharp Rehearsal Hall of the Schwartz Center for Performing Arts at Emory University. Rehearsals begin immediately after the audition period. Students should plan to arrive on the Emory campus between 7:00-7:15pm in order to park and warm up. Free parking is available in the Lowergate South Parking Deck and the Fishburne Parking Deck next to the Schwartz Center; practice rooms are available on the third floor of the Schwartz Center.

TUITION & SCHOLARSHIPS
EYSO is funded solely through tuition fees and donations; rehearsal and performance venues, concert promotion and marketing, basic equipment needs and concert support are all provided by Emory University.

The tuition fee for 2012-2013 is $475.00 for the year. This is an all-inclusive fee for the season; there are no additional fees for the audition, folders, music, t-shirt, parents’ association etc. A number of full tuition scholarships are available. Consideration for scholarships is based on the needs of both the student and the program.

ANNUAL CONCERTO COMPETITION
The EYSO concerto competition is open to all members of EYSO. The winning student performs with the orchestra on the last concert of the season. Previous winners include:

Amanda Ake (2011-12) Bruch Violin Concerto
Sam Lee (2010-11) Elgar Cello Concerto
Benito Thompson (2009-10) Saint-Saens Violin Concerto No. 3
Melissa Ake (2008-09) Vieuxtemps Violin Concerto No. 5 in A minor
Blake Johnson (2007-2008) Dvorak Cello Concerto in B minor