The Southern Crescent Youth Orchestra, sponsored by the Southern Crescent Symphony Orchestra, is designed to meet the performing needs of advanced students from area school orchestra programs and private studios. Membership in the orchestra is open to string players with at least three years of experience who successfully pass the entrance audition. The orchestra's first two seasons have included concerts in Spivey Hall and performances with the Southern Crescent Symphony.

Audition requirements - A solo of the student's choice, sight-reading and the following scales: violin: 3 octave G and A major, viola and cello: 3 octave C and D major, bass: 2 octave F and G major.

To Schedule An Audition - Auditions will be held on Tuesday, August 25th at Lovejoy High School. Please email Richard Bell at rbelld@earthlink.net to schedule a time.

Tuition Fee – Tuition is $100 for the year. This will be payable at the first rehearsal.

Schedule –Rehearsals will be held on Tuesday evenings from 7:30 to 9:00 at Lovejoy High School. The first rehearsal will be on Tuesday, Sept. 8th. A full concert and rehearsal schedule will be provided at the first rehearsal.

If you have questions or would like more information about the orchestra please contact Richard Bell at 770-722-5708 or visit the orchestra's website at www.scsymphony.net

Our Conductors:

Dr. Richard Bell, the founder of the Southern Crescent Symphony, is beginning his 26th year as an orchestra director. He holds degrees from Florida State University and the University of Georgia. Under his direction the Southern Crescent Symphony has presented many memorable performances including last year’s southeastern premiere of Alan Menken and Tim Rice’s King David Oratorio. Dr. Bell is currently the president of GMEA and the orchestra director at Union Grove high School.

Ed Davis has over 30 years experience as a music educator in Georgia. He is a graduate of East Carolina University and Georgia State University. He was co-founder of the Tara Winds Concert Band, and co-founder of ENCORE! Music Camps.. Davis’s bands have received wide acclaim through performances at four GMEA Conventions, the University of Georgia High School Music Festival, and the Mid-West International Band and Orchestra Clinic.

Carl Rieke, a graduate of St. Olaf College and Georgia State University, has been an orchestra director in Georgia since 1997. His orchestras, including the Shiloh High School Orchestra and the Gwinnett County Youth Symphony, have received consistent superior ratings and critical acclaim. Mr. Rieke has conducted during many orchestra camps and clinics, including the Encore! Music Camp, the UGA Music Camp and the ASTA Summer Camp. Carl is currently the orchestra director at Ola Middle School.