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| Artistic Youth of Minnesota Caren Simon, Artistic Director of the Artistic Youth Ensembles of Minnesota, is looking for a few good student musicians who just want to have fun. After a solid first year building three string ensembles, Ms. Simon is looking to grow the program by encouraging students who love to play music to join AYEM for the Fall, 2006 season. Pronounced 'aim', AYEM is a non-profit organization formed in July, 2005. It is dedicated to building community through concert performances and social activities in a supportive atmosphere of fun and non-competitiveness. AYEM's three levels of string orchestras help develop beginning through advanced players. The Mighty Metro String Orchestra is a novice group for students in grades 3-6, with two to three years of playing experience. The Fuzzy Pine String Players is an intermediate level ensemble for students in grades 5-9. The Uptown Chamber Orchestra is for high school age advanced players. Last year, AYEM had 36 musicians ranging from ages 6-19. AYEM also features a guitar ensemble, led by Paul Umbarger, president of the AYEM Board of Directors. An accomplished guitarist, he regularly performs with Blue Daddies, a classic rock, rhythm and blues band he co-founded in 1997. In addition, Mr. Umbarger teaches guitar and bass in his thriving private studio. Mr. Umbarger and Ms. Simon have worked closely together building AYEM from an idea and to a non-profit organization. With help from Rider-Bennett, AYEM is now a legally registered 501(c)(3) organization. Ms. Simon, a respected Minneapolis violinist, graduated from Hamline University with a BA in music. She performs locally with her classical trio, Triolet, as well as with the Uptown Duet and the Blue Daddies. In addition, she has had a private string studio for 23 years, during which time she has organized ensemble performances with her students in years prior to the start of AYEM. But she felt the need of a more permanent organization, one with goals and a mission. "We were interested in starting a music group that was different from the existing music ensembles in town, not only in its approach to playing music, but in how it was organized. We wanted it to be membership governed, and focused on community building, " according to Ms. Simon. She continued, "Our organization is interested in having the students know each other, not just coming in to play next to one another. We want this to be a comfortable and enjoyable situation for young people who love to play." AYEM is dedicated to four core principles: musical excellence, family involvement, enriching experiences and the joy of harmony. The ensembles have performed at local schools and also in the broader community. They have played at a dinner for the homeless at St. Mark's Cathedral, for Prodigal House (a relapse prevention center), as well as performing concerts at Intermedia Arts and Hamline University. Dr. Jean Montès, the former Artistic Director of the Greater Twin Cities Youth Symphonies, has served as a Guest Conductor and Artistic Advisor to AYEM, flying in from his home in Richmond, Virginia, to work with all three string orchestras twice this past year. In January 2006, 13 members of AYEM's Uptown Chamber Orchestra traveled to Orlando, Florida for a four day concert tour. Five chaperones accompanied the ensemble members. Staying in Cocoa Beach, they played with the Florida Young Artists Orchestras at the University of Central Florida, conducted by Jonathan May of Winter Park, Florida, and Dr. Montès. The Uptown Chamber Orchestra performed four times with the final concert conducted by Dr. Montès, at the First Presbyterian Church of Orlando on Martin Luther King Day. The orchestra received a standing ovation for their performance. St. Louis Park resident Margee Shapiro, whose 16 year old daughter Mollie, a six-year student of Ms. Simon's private studio, chaperoned the trip. "You would not even recognize the Uptown Chamber Orchestra after they played in Florida. The concept of a unique shared experience, led by Caren, Dr. Montès and Jonathan May, really helped them grow as artists in a very short period of time, " Ms. Shapiro explained. Louise Yim, grandmother of Uptown Chamber Orchestra member Ty Hong, shared that AYEM's multi-dimensional approach to music and the chance to travel and play with other orchestras has ignited her grandson's passion for playing violin. "Caren and Paul are incredible. The energy and sincerity they bring to all the ensembles makes it a very creative atmosphere and nothing like I have ever experienced before, " Mrs. Yim shared. "Ty arrived from Cambodia with nothing eight years ago, and has completely embraced western music to the point where he is considering a music major in college, " which is thrilling to Mrs. Yim. "The ambiance of AYEM is so supportive and accepting that it ignites kids' interest in becoming better musicians, " she added. AYEM is seeking additional student violinists, violists, cellists, bassists and guitarists to join their ensembles for the 2006-2007 school year. To schedule an audition, contact Caren Simon at (612) 823-2953. Auditions are scheduled for Sunday, September 10th at 3327 Holmes Avenue South, in Minneapolis, with the first weekend of rehearsals set for September 16-17. The ensembles rehearse on weekend afternoons twice a month in South Minneapolis at the Center For Performing Arts. Tuition is set at $125 per semester, and includes eight rehearsals, a concert and at least one outreach performance. write your comments about the article :: © 2006 Jazz News :: home page |