Auditions have been scheduled for two music education programs of the Western Institute at Missouri Western State University. Auditions for Griffon Junior Singers, for children in grades 2 through 10, will begin at 5:15 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 29. Auditions for Symphonic Youth Orchestra, for youth in grades 7 through 12 or those with sufficient experience on their instrument, will begin at 6 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 30. Auditions may be scheduled by calling the Western Institute at 816-271-4117.
To make the programs more accessible to families in the St. Joseph region, Griffon Junior Singers and Symphonic Youth Orchestra have restructured their fees. The new sliding scale fees, based on qualifications for free and reduced school lunches, will be $25 per semester for those who qualify for free lunches, $55 for those who qualify for reduced lunches, and $75 for others. There are also scholarships available based both on need and on merit. More information is available at www.wi.missouriwestern.edu/arts.
Griffon Junior Singers is an award-winning choral ensemble co-sponsored by the Western Institute’s Center for Community Arts and the St. Joseph School District. There are two new directors this year. Darren Verbick, elementary fine arts coordinator for the school district, will direct the Premier Choir for grades 6 through 10. Ashley Kempt, music instructor at Noyes Elementary School, will direct the Prelude Choir for grades 2 through 5.
Sarah Cool, a 2008 graduate of Missouri Western and strings instructor with the St. Joseph School District, will direct Symphonic Youth Orchestra. The orchestra welcomes all instruments from string, woodwind, brass and percussion families.
Both programs engage in weekly classes and rehearsals, public concerts and community activities throughout the semester.
Missouri Western State University is a comprehensive regional university providing a blend of traditional liberal arts and professional degree programs. The university offers student-centered, high quality instruction that focuses on experience-based learning, community service, and state-of-the-art technology. Missouri Western is located in St. Joseph, Mo., and is committed to the educational, economic, cultural and social development of the region it serves. Visit www.missouriwestern.edu.