Mission Statement: Students gain skills by practicing as individuals. By applying these skills to an ensemble performance, they will develop their sense of hearing and become an integral part of harmony and cooperation. The wide variety of training at Midwest Philharmonic Orchestra (MPO) will broaden their ensemble repertoire. By focusing on orchestral music, the musicians will enjoy a highly pleasing pure tone of ensemble mixture. Furthermore, the musicians will be promoting art in their local community. Ensemble Format: Symphony Orchestra String Orchestra Course Level: Midwest String Orchestra: Beginning to Intermediate String Students Group Midwest Philharmonic Orchestra: Intermediate to Advance Students Group Core Members: Advanced Students Group The audition committee will decide which groups the student will perform in. Beginner string students, whose ability levels are equal to Suzuki Book 1 or 2, are most likely not ready to participate in any of the groups listed above.

Live Recordings    The following recordings are from our 7th    Concert in the Spring on May 23, 2010.  Core Members Core Members is an advanced group of the MPO.   F. Mendelssohn/ String Symphony No. 9 in C minor   I. Grave - Allegro       II. Andante     III. Scherzo - Trio piu lento   IV. Allegro vivace - Presto        Midwest Philharmonic Orchestra   G. Rossini/ Sonata No. 1 for Strings   I. Moderato   II. Andantino   III. Allegro   E. Grieg/ Two Lyric Pieces, Op. 68   I. Evening in the Mountains Naomi Matsunaga, oboe solo   II. At the Cradle   A. Vivaldi/ L’estro Armonico No. 8   I. Allegro   III. Allegro   B. Ung/ Concerto for Guitar for Midwest Conservatory: Premiere Performance          Preparatory Strings Preparatory Strings is a training group for the MPO.   B. Mathews/ Small Overture   P. Tchaikovsky/ Intrada   G. Holst/ March from Suite No. 1

Audition and Membership:
For winds audition, please contact our Personnel Manager for the details.
For string audition, the candidates should prepare the followings:

1) Scales in three (or two) octaves for both ascending and descending in the key of C, G, D, A, E, F, B-flat, E-flat, A-flat majors and e, g, c melodic minors. You can choose one for major and one for minor at the audition. Please play 80 to 120 per quarter note with separate bows.

2) A solo piece that shows the candidate’s techniques, musical interpretation and musicianship. No accompaniment needed. Please see below:

3) Sight-reading may be asked.

Participants must receive the music director’s permission to join after the audition. All ages are welcome.
Please fill out the Application for Membership completely and submit it when you come to the audition. To schedule an audition, please contact our Personnel Manager.

Students from Outside the Midwest Conservatory of Music:
Students, who are currently studying at other schools/teachers, are also welcome to join the Midwest Philharmonic Orchestra. For audition, please refer to “Audition and Membership” section above.
As of May 2011, 20% of the members of the ensemble are studying their own instruments privately at different schools. The MPO is open to everyone in the community.

Rehearsal Location:
Prince of Peace Lutheran Church
930 W. Higgins Road
Schaumburg, IL 60195

Rehearsal Frequency:
There are approximately 10 rehearsals per concert. Rehearsals are held on Sundays but not every week.

Sunday Rehearsal Time:

Core Members: 2:30pm - 3:30pm

Midwest Philharmonic Orchestra: 3:40pm - 5:10pm

Midwest String Orchestra: 5:20pm - 6:20pm

Tuition Rate per Term:

Midwest String Orchestra: $130

Midwest Philharmonic Orchestra: $160

Core Members: $190

Repertoire:
The repertoire will be selected for each concert cycle by the music director. We cover the most splendid array of pieces from Baroque, classical, romantic, 20th century, to contemporary classical music which over the years has captured the heart of music lovers. Members enjoy performing the music and naturally learn to develop a variety of music styles and technical playing methods, as well as each era’s historic musical background.

Performances:
There are 2 annual concerts in fall and spring. Concerts will be held at a church, library, or public facilities. Consolation concerts at nursing centers and/or senior centers may also be held frequently throughout the year.

Attendance Policy:
Absence: The MPO musicians must attend all rehearsals. However, a one-time absence per term will be excused if there is more than a 24-hour notice. If the musician misses more than 3 rehearsals per semester, he or she will be permanently withdrawn from Midwest Philharmonic Orchestra. Tardiness: 3 tardy arrivals will be counted as 1 absence. For both absence and tardiness, special consideration might be given case by case by the music director.

Refund Policy:
There will be no refund for paid tuitions. Special considerations will be given for moving out-of-state, or death or serious illness in the family. No make up, no refund and no credit will be given if musician misses rehearsals.

Music Stand:
MPO will furnish music stands for both rehearsals and concerts.

Concert Dress Code:
MEN: Black tuxedo/suit with white dress shirt, black bow tie. Black dress shoes with black socks
WOMEN: All-black concert attire. Black dress shoes, black stockings or tights

Musician’s Photographs:
Occasionally photographs of the MPO musicians are used in the Midwest Philharmonic Orchestra and Midwest Conservatory of Music’s publications and other media. Through enrollment in the Midwest Philharmonic Orchestra, the musician accepts the use of these photographs in these materials unless otherwise stated.

To Schedule an Audition or Questions:
Naomi Matsunaga, Personnel Manager
Please call us at (847) 312-3690
Or E-mail: info@midwestconservatory.com