Auditions for Rivers Youth Orchestras have arrived! Scaled back during the COVID years, these ensembles are roaring to life and pre-pandemic levels. Growth has been a long-time theme for RYO. Back in 2001, it launched with one Preparatory Orchestra for elementary school-aged students. RYO Music Director and conductor of the Rivers Youth Symphony Christopher Memoli explains, “We thought the kids …
Many parents are familiar with the challenge of motivating kids to practice their instrument. During the school year, students have additional activities to juggle along with academics. Music may be one more thing to fit into their busy schedule. That all changes during RSC’s Summer Programs. This is a special time when students can focus on two things: improving their …
From his days at The Rivers School in Weston, Mass., Tim Carman knew he wanted – somehow – to make music his career. Rivers was a good prelude: it had a music conservatory, and even though Carman wasn’t a conservatory student, he played in its jazz big band and jazz combo — and in his brother’s punk band. Read the …
Matt Heck has only been at Rivers a few weeks, but he’s already developed a handy way to describe the school’s Conservatory Program: “It’s varsity music.” It’s a useful shorthand, and it’s only natural that Heck would have come up with it: As the Conservatory Program director, a newly created position, Heck is charged with overseeing and coordinating all aspects …
Dear Mr. Sussman, I can’t believe a whole year has passed since this pandemic started. Your uplifting and positive attitude over Zoom has been a bright spot in our week. Thank you for your continued patience and encouragement. Best regards, Bettina Eikeboom ⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯ It has been great having Catherine as a guitar teacher and I look forward to having more …
The pandemic did not stop RSC from providing students with abundant educational opportunities in 2020-2021. In fact, the calendar was as packed as ever, with concerts, competitions, master classes, rehearsals, recitals, and more. Here are some highlights! Rivers Youth Orchestras Operated In-Person All Year Long The Rivers Youth Orchestra program was a trailblazer in the return to in-person ensemble playing. …
Did you know that The Rivers School Conservatory has an Executive Committee, made up of 15 dedicated community, staff, and ex-officio members who are instrumental in helping the organization to succeed? The committee functions as a governing body, meeting regularly to oversee the operations of RSC. Committee members also work with RSC Director Gabriella Sanna to institute goals and policies …
Siblings Audrey and Henry Tushman have been studying with RSC piano faculty member Sandra Hebert since they were about five years old. Together, this faculty-student trio has built a meaningful foundation for music education. Eighth-grader Henry says that he looks forward to every lesson because of Ms. Hebert’s positive and caring demeanor. “She knows all of her students really well,” …
The Rivers School Conservatory is quickly approaching its 42nd year of the Annual Seminar on Contemporary Music for the Young, designed to introduce audiences and young musicians to music of our time, all composed in the past 25 years. Since its founding in 1978, the seminar has presented 3,107 pieces, representing more than 1,842 composers and 683 premieres, including 207 …
289 students. 47 rehearsals. 14 performances. These numbers represent the scope of activities of the Rivers Youth Orchestras, Camerata Strings, Rivers Youth Wind Ensemble, and ChamberMusicLab in the 2020-2021 school year. Evidently, the ongoing pandemic hasn’t been able to stop them from continuing the art of musical collaboration. Keep reading to learn more! Rivers Youth Orchestras (RYO) From the emergence …
