Prep Winds Info

GENERAL INFORMATION

Mission Statement of the Kalamazoo Junior Symphony Orchestras

Through the power of music, we instill excellence in youth and enrich our community.

History of the KJSOs

In 1939, Eugene Andrie founded the “Little Symphony Orchestra” of Kalamazoo. Even then, it was noted for its musical accomplishments. Still, Andrie could have scarcely imagined that his vision would blossom into today's Kalamazoo Junior Symphony Orchestras (KJSOs). Now composed of five ensembles with musicians drawn from Kalamazoo and nine surrounding counties, the nation's third-oldest continually-operating youth orchestra organization has performed hundreds of concerts worldwide and profoundly impacted generations of musicians.

The Kalamazoo Junior Symphony Orchestra, the flagship ensemble and namesake of the organization, is led by Music Director Andrew Koehler, who also serves as a professor of music at Kalamazoo College. He is preceded in the role by a short list of distinguished conductors, including Music Director Emeritus Robert Ritsema, and Julius Stulberg, who shepherded the group from just a few years after its founding until his death in 1974.  

Every season, the KJSO presents three performances of professional-level repertoire in the historic Chenery Auditorium. It partners with the Stulberg International String Competition to host their bronze medal winner every year and has additionally welcomed guest artists luminaries such as Alon Goldstein, Alpin Hong, Zlatomir Fung, Rachel Barton Pine, and Midori. The KJSO offers a dynamic chamber music training program for selected members. Ensembles are coached by accomplished local professional musicians and perform outreach concerts throughout the area. The KJSO also tours internationally and, with recent excursions to China and South Africa, can boast of having performed on every inhabited continent in the world.  

Preparation for younger string players hoping to one day join the Junior Symphony is provided by the three tiers of the Prep String Orchestras (PSO). The Training Orchestra provides the youngest string players an opportunity to reinforce basic skills. Those students can then audition for the Concert String Orchestra and eventually the Symphonic String Orchestra, where the emphasis shifts to building technical and orchestral playing proficiencies. Audrey Lipsey, a distinguished KJSO alumna, and noted pedagogue, is the director of all three ensembles. The Prep Winds Ensemble (PW) was established in 2015 to provide parallel training for younger woodwind and brass players. It is the newest member of the KJSO family. The PW is directed by respected performing and teaching artists Jesse Williams and Luke Conklin.

The Kalamazoo Junior Symphony Orchestras organization is financed entirely by individual and business patrons, state and local grants, ticket sales, and special fundraising events. All KJSO programs are tuition-free so that every student, regardless of means, can participate.  KJSO alumni go on to academic and career success at astonishing rates. Some can even be found in major American and international orchestras, devoting their lives to the power of sharing music. 

Website of the KJSO

www.kjso.org

Organization of the KJSO 

The KJSO is an autonomous organization whose entire operating budget is funded by grants and fundraising.  The governance and direction of the KJSOs is vested in a board of directors consisting of at least ten members, including two student player directors and their alternates elected by their peers.  

The board of directors hires all staff members and formulates the organization's broad strategic goals and policies. The KJSO is an Equal Opportunity Employer providing programs and services without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, age, sex, or handicap.  

Fee Structure and Fundraising for KJSO Members

The KJSO is among the few youth orchestras in the United States that does not charge tuition to its student members, thanks to the strong support of community organizations. 

We offer scholarships for all annual member dues and for enrichment activities, such as: private music lessons, and summer music camps. If you have questions about dues or if you would like to apply for a scholarship, please contact us here. Current Member Dues information can be found here.

In addition, the KJSO Board determines a yearly suggested fundraising goal for each family. The fundraising goal can be met by selling tickets, soliciting donations, or participating in other fundraisers, such as the Annual Fruit Sale. Information for fundraising will be sent via email. Contact us here for details.

Contact Information for KJSO Staff

Administrative Staff:

Executive Director

Dave Crider

(269) 349-7557

dcrider@kjso.org 

The Executive Director serves the needs of the orchestras, orchestra members, and their families and can be reached directly in the office from 9am to 5pm Monday through Friday. Please take any questions to the executive director, and they will refer them to the appropriate person or committee.

Operations Coordinator

Michael Palmer

mpalmer@kjso.org 

Operations Coordinator

Rachel Ramirez

rramirze@kjso.org

Artistic Staff:

Music Director and Kalamazoo Junior Symphony Conductor

Andrew Koehler

269-337-7323  

akoehler@kjso.org

Prep Strings & Training Orchestra Conductor

Audrey Lipsey

269-345-6664

aalipsey@crescendoacademy.com

Prep Strings, Assistant Conductor

Noah Krzin

uhflo@hotmail.com 

Prep Winds Co-Directors

Jesse Williams

jwilliams@kjso.org 

EXPECTATIONS OF MEMBERSHIP

Prep Prelude Day

The Prep season begins on the second Saturday after Labor Day and is usually held at a local middle school. We began this tradition to allow new and returning students the opportunity to read through the selected music and get acquainted with each other in an informal setting. In addition to rehearsals, orchestra members enjoy after-lunch games and bonding activities in the school gymnasium. 

Preparation

Members are expected to devote enough time practicing their music outside of rehearsals so that notes and rhythms are learned as soon as possible after the music is distributed. Study links to the music will occasionally be emailed to assist in this process. Individual practice is essential so the orchestra can rehearse ensemble playing and style efficiently.

Attendance  

See the schedules at kjso.org/members for details on rehearsal and concert times for your ensemble. It is imperative that families carefully review the schedule for the entire season as soon as presented and compare it to other planned activities on their calendar. Members are expected to be in attendance and on time for every rehearsal, sectional, and performance. If you have an unavoidable conflict, the Prep Strings allows two excused absences for the first concert cycle and three for the second cycle. Prep Winds and Training Orchestra allow three excused absences per season. Though a number of valid reasons for an absence will be considered excused, school orchestra and band conflicts take precedence. 

EXCUSED REHEARSAL ABSENCES DO NOT PERTAIN TO DRESS REHEARSALS OR CONCERTS; attendance at both is mandatory. If you have a compelling reason for missing a dress rehearsal or more than the allotted number of excused absences, you must request special permission to do so directly from the music director as early as possible in the cycle. Their decision is final. Missing a dress rehearsal or more than the allotted number of excused absences without permission will bring your membership under review.

You are responsible for submitting any missed rehearsal time by submitting the form at kjso.org/absence. You must do this before the start of rehearsal; arriving late (or leaving early) twice will equal one absence. 

Scheduled rehearsals may occasionally be canceled. Most often, this is due to inclement weather. In this event, a cancellation notice will be sent to you by email and, if possible, put up on our website, www.kjso.org, and Facebook page. In rare circumstances, a rehearsal may be canceled due to another emergency (e.g., conductor illness without sufficient notice to secure a substitute). In this event, we will attempt to email everyone and reach those families who travel from out of town by phone. We will also post a notice at the entrance to the building. 

Rehearsal Decorum

You are expected to arrive at least 15 minutes before the start of rehearsal to allow time for signing in, tuning, and using the restroom. Rehearsal time is valuable; to make the most of it, please bring your full concentration to the task at hand. Prep ground rules: 

Touch only what belongs to you.

When the conductor stops, you stop and listen (listen and silent – same letters!).

No put-downs or bullying.

Cell phones belong in your case - not on your person.

Responsibility for Music    

As a Prep member you are entrusted with music for which you are fully responsible – both in terms of remembering your music for rehearsal and taking care of it. Music is distributed on Prep Prelude Day and during the first rehearsal after the December concert. You may be charged for any lost or defaced music or folders. You are responsible for bringing a pencil to every rehearsal for marking fingerings and bowings, circling dynamics and tempo changes, etc. Use only a #1 or #2 soft, black graphite pencil when marking music. Never use ink or colored pencils.     

Participating in School Music Programs

Though we are not legally allowed to require it, we strongly encourage your participation in your school music program to advance your musical skills and promote the arts in your school. Participation in a school music group is a vote for the continued inclusion of fine arts in the schools and a place for you to hone and offer your leadership.  

Private Study 

We strongly suggest you study your instrument with a private teaching artist. Private instruction is essential to your total musical development and successful participation in Prep ensembles. In the case of financial need, music lesson scholarships are available by contacting the KJSO office for an application or following the link below under SPECIAL OPPORTUNITIES.

Concert Dress 

All members are expected to acquire their concert dress. 

Prep Strings

• White tops, black bottoms (skirts well below the knee when sitting), black shoes, and black socks or flesh-colored hose are required.

Prep Winds

• Black skirt or pants with a black blouse or shirt, or black dress

SPECIAL OPPORTUNITIES FOR PREP/KJSO MEMBERS

Scholarships 

Need-Based Scholarships - Click here to apply

1. Fee-Based Activity Scholarship: For students requiring assistance with the PREP/KJSO registration or camp fees.   

2. Private Music Lesson Scholarships: For students requiring assistance with their private lesson fees.

3. Summer Music Camp Scholarships: For students up to grade 11 who have been accepted to a summer music camp and require assistance with the tuition.

OPPORTUNITIES AS YOU ADVANCE THROUGH THE KJSO ORCHESTRAS INCLUDE:

KJSO Concerto Competition 

Every season, the KJSO reserves one spot at a concert for a member to take the stage as our soloist. The audition date to compete for this honor is found in the online yearly rehearsal schedule and usually takes place in the fall. Contact the operations director if you are interested in signing up for an audition. For your audition, you should prepare the piece (generally a movement of a larger work) you wish to perform at the concert. A piano will be available for accompaniment, but you must provide your own accompanist. For more detailed rules, please see the application guidelines included in KJSO’s beginning-of-the-year packet.    

KJSO Ensemble Program

The KJSO sponsors several honors ensembles: typically, a Brass Quintet, a Woodwind Quintet, and two String Quartets. The members of these groups are selected by the Music Director based on the strength of the annual Chair Auditions. These ensembles represent and are ambassadors for the KJSOs throughout the community.  

Each ensemble performs once before a KJSO performance as part of a concert prelude. Additionally, they perform outreach concerts throughout the area, including pre-Kalamazoo Symphony concerts, school and community functions, nursing homes, etc. Occasionally, groups are also referred for paying gigs if the members are interested.

Each ensemble is expected to rehearse for at least an hour weekly, with at least 12 of those meetings led by a professional coach to help guide their progress. Ensemble coaching or practice sessions may not interfere with KJSO performance and rehearsal times. All players are expected to learn their individual parts on their own time. Participation in a KJSO ensemble is free of charge. 

Player Director Elections 

Player Directors are full members of the KJSO Board of Directors. As such, they are expected to attend monthly board meetings, vote on resolutions and actions (except as excluded by the KJSO By-Laws), communicate the student perspective and any student concerns on all matters, and serve on standing board committees. Player directors and their alternates are elected by their KJSO peers.  

Election of the two director positions is held in the spring at the end of the season; one director must be a string player and one a non-string player (wind, brass, percussion). The two students with the next highest vote count in the election will hold the position of alternate. Alternates are also welcome to attend board meetings. 

Updated 12/11/23