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: Preparatory Strings: Beginning 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.  Gabrieli Ensemble Gabrieli Ensemble is an advanced group of students who are learning major concertos.   F. Mendelssohn/ String Symphony No. 9 in C minor   I. Grave - Allegro       II. Andante     III. Scherzo - Trio piu lento   IV. Allegro vivace - Presto        Vivaldi Ensemble Vivaldi Ensemble is an intermediate group of students who are learning up to the 5th Position.   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          Corelli Ensemble Corelli Ensemble is a beginner’s group of students who are learning up to the 3rd Position.   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 two or three octaves of both ascending and descending in the key of C, G, E major and c, g, e melodic minor. The judges will choose one for major and one for minor at the audition.

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

Required Levels of Solo Pieces for Strings
Preparatory Strings (For all strings)	A solo piece or passage that includes up to 3rd (or 5th) position.
Midwest Philharmonic Orchestra (For all strings)	A solo piece or passage that includes up to 5th (or higher) position.
Core Members	Violin/ 1st mvt. of Mozart Concerto No. 4 or 5, or something equivalent
	Viola/ A standard concerto piece, or something equivalent
	Cello/ A standard concerto piece, or something equivalent
	Bass/ A standard concerto piece, or something equivalent

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 2009, 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

Preparatory Strings: 5:20pm - 6:20pm

Tuition Rate per Term:

Preparatory Strings: $120

Midwest Philharmonic Orchestra: $150

Core Members: $180

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:
Musicians must wear the required performing clothes when playing at all MPO concerts.

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