The ECYS Percussion Ensemble is comprised of percussionists currently in the Sinfonietta, Wind Orchestra and Senior Symphony. The section meets separately from orchestra practice to rehearse and to prepare their programs with coaches.
ECWO musicians experience a wide breadth of repertoire, ranging from classical transcriptions to modern works just a few years old. As an advanced/intermediate orchestra, students are given thorough instruction on ensemble balance and intonation while experiencing a rigorous challenge of their technical skills.
Concerts tours, retreats, participation in music festivals and exchanges with other youth orchestras are a vital part of the ECYS experience, as well as guest soloists of international stature. The Sinfonietta Orchestra is an advanced level orchestra for middle and high school students. Sinfonietta students receive intensive training in preparation for membership in the ECYS Symphony. The orchestra performs original music chiefly from the classical period repertoire.
Concerts tours, retreats, participation in music festivals and exchanges with other youth orchestras are a vital part of the ECYS experience, as well as guest soloists of international stature. The award-winning Senior Symphony Orchestra is comprised of talented high school musicians from throughout the Bay Area. The orchestra studies under the baton of Dr.Camilla Kolchinsky, a conductor and master teacher who challenges the musicians to reach a high level of achievement.
Honor Choir is a select group of singers chosen from the Concert Choir through a separate, internal audition. This choir meets for an extra half hour each week after the regularly scheduled rehearsal and learns additional music.
Members of the Concert Choir must have the basic principles and objectives covered in the earlier choirs. Musical training will proceed at a faster pace and in the more complex context of technically demanding music. The typical age for this choir is ten to fourteen years, with two to four years of musical training. The Concert Choir performs at community events and participates in a four-day tour each spring.
The Apprentice Choir lays the foundation for successful progress and development as a singer in DGC. This group does not require any prior musical training, but girls must have the ability to match pitch accurately and have a strong desire to excel in the program. The emphasis for this choir is to prepare singers for placement in the Concert Choir. Frequent performances are not a component of this choir.
Preparatory program is an exceptional experience to enable all preschool-aged children (3-6 year olds) to reach their full potential in singing, ear-training, vocabulary and body movement skills. Classes are offered by three sessions in a year, 10 weeks per session.