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ROANOKE YOUTH SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA
The RYSO is comprised of 80 student musicians, ages 12-18, who rehearse weekly and perform symphonic repertoire in public concerts throughout the school year. Additionally, the RYSO performs annual Discovery Concerts in collaboration with the Roanoke Symphony Orchestra. The Discovery Concerts take place during the school day and are attended by area school children. Led by RSO Associate Concertmaster James Glazebrook, the RYSO is the only professional orchestral training for young people in southwestern Virginia. The young musicians gain membership through auditions held annually each spring and fall and may perform with the RYSO through their high school graduation. Click here to read audition/eligibility requirements. Contact the RSO Education Director to schedule an audition The RYSO rehearses on Sunday afternoons in Roanoke.
In addition to the RYSO, Mr. Glazebrook conducts the New River Valley Symphony Orchestra, an ensemble comprised of both community members and students of Virginia Tech. Also at Virginia Tech, Mr. Glazebrook teaches violin and viola, strings methods, and conducting.
FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE RYSO, PLEASE CONTACT COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT EDUCATION COORDINATOR, HANNAH COX, AT HANNAH.COX@RSO.COM OR CALL 540.343.6221 X.231
ROANOKE YOUTH SYMPHONY FLUTE ENSEMBLE
This ensemble made its debut in June 2008 during the annual Roanoke Youth Symphony Summer Music Institute. Under the direction of Julee Hickcox, this ensemble performs at exciting venues throughout the Roanoke Valley, including the Taubman Art Museum. The Flute Ensemble rehearses monthly in Roanoke.
Julee Hickcox is the Principal Piccolo for the Roanoke Symphony Orchestra and maintains a well-established flute studio in Roanoke.
FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE RYSO, PLEASE CONTACT COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT EDUCATION COORDINATOR, HANNAH COX, AT HANNAH.COX@RSO.COM OR CALL 540.343.6221 X.231
ANNE JETT ROGERS SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM
The Anne Jett Rogers Scholarship Program is designed to further the musical education or training of talented and promising young musicians. This collegiate scholarship, offered through the RSO, is available to current and alumni members of the RYS. Current members must be graduating seniors who demonstrate an intention to study music at the collegiate level, and alumni must currently study music as their primary focus at the undergraduate level in order to be eligible to apply. The Scholarship is awarded based on various factors, including musical merit, financial need, academic performance, and recommendation from a current music teacher.
Since its inception in 1989, the Anne Jett Rogers Scholarship Program has awarded over $6500.00 in scholarships to 21 winners. The Anne Jett Rogers Scholarship Program is funded by the Anne Jett Rogers Endowment Fund. The Rogers family, along with matching funds from the then-active Roanoke Symphony Volunteer Association, established the Fund in 1989 in honor of the late Anne Jett Rogers, an active volunteer and friend of the RSO. The earnings from the Endowment are used to fund the Scholarship. These earnings are combined with some of the earnings from the Eldon C. Grover Fund to enable a yearly award $2000.00 to the scholarship recipient, to be awarded in $1000.00 semesterly increments.


YOUNG ARTISTS AWARDS
Participation in the RYSO enables access to competitions and scholarships specifically for members, such as the Young Artists Awards (YAA), sponsored by the Roanoke Symphony Orchestra for members of the Roanoke Youth Symphony Orchestra. The YAA were initiated in 1983 by a gift from Mr. Eldon C. Grover, a former RSO Board member and patron. This generous gift enabled the formation of the Eldon C. Grover Fund, specifically for education scholarships. A portion of the Fund’s proceeds finance the YAA. Three financial awards, in the amounts of $1,000, $500 and $250 are awarded to the first, second, and third place winners respectively. The first place recipient is invited to perform as a soloist with RYSO during the following school year.
