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Each Thursday, this February and March, we are happy to continue our free one-time enrichment class offerings via Zoom, to further enhance the student and parent experience. Please check out which classes you, your student, and other family members might enjoy attending.

Open to all enrolled students via Zoom- including any enrolled student who has deferred

Day/Time: Thursdays, 7:00 - 8:00 pm

Cost: Free!

For Showcase and Ovation students. For anyone struggling to keep a consistent practice routine at home, wanting to learn how to practice for less time and get better results, or wanting new tips on useful practice techniques, join Dr. Rausch for some guidance and encouragement!

For parents of students who are in the early stages of reading music. Join Dr. Remson to learn more about how to count, clap, and read basic rhythms to help instill this important skill in your child as they progress. 

Open to all SDYS students. Join Mr. Ruben to learn about the important function of lyrics, an introduction to basic forms and rhymes, and create your own lyrics to share by the end of just one class!

With the significant reduction in the number of Covid-19 transmissions and the increasing availability of vaccines, SDYS is exploring options for a return to in-person rehearsals in May, 2021. While we can continue virtual programming through the remainder of the season, we would consider and plan a return if the majority of parents and students favored it.

There are several conditions that would need to be met to have in-person activities (securing outdoor rehearsal space, ensuring all health and safety guidelines, masks for students, bell covers for winds/brass, vaccines for staff and teaching artists).

This spring, SDYS and the San Diego Museum of Art will be having another Musical Artstops! Students can either record at the museum in front of their chosen artwork or record at home. Please see instructions on the signup for both recording at the museum and recording at home. Please note: only Sinfonia, Sinfonietta, Wind Symphony, and Ovation students are eligible to participate. 

Final videos will drop in March/April, 2021. The schedule and video links will be on upcoming Weekly Updates.

The deadline to sign up is Monday, March 1 and the deadline to submit a recording from home is Friday, March 5.

Whether you missed the Balmages visit or if you want to watch it again, the recording can be viewed here!

IMPORTANT LINKS FOR WINTER 2020-21

SmartMusic: please click here to see the user guide.

SoundTrap: please click here to see the user guide.

Zoom Audio: visit this website for step-by-step instructions to optimize Zoom for musical instruments.

Technology Support: please fill out this form if you are experiencing any tech issues. We will reach out to you as soon as possible.

SDYS plans to continue virtual rehearsals while California is in the purple tier. We continue to make plans for a modified return to in-person rehearsals, and will only be able to consider it once San Diego County has returned to the red tier.

Staff continue to work from home and are available via email and phone. Please visit sdys.org/COVID-19 for any new information.

The events listed below are for information only. They are not sponsored or evaluated by, and do not have a connection with SDYS. Musicians are not allowed to exceed the maximum permitted absences according to the Musician's Handbook by participating in any events listed below.

The Young Composers masterclass series invites middle school and high school students to observe our composition faculty working with teen composers from the LA area on their original music. See a window into our teaching style, and hear from our faculty about their own inspiration, writing styles, and techniques. These virtual masterclasses are free and hosted on Zoom.

TUE FEB 23 5-6:15 PM PT – Andrew Norman, Composer Fellowship Program Director

TUE MAR 2 5-6:15 PM PT – Sarah Gibson, Lead Teaching Artist

THU MAR 18 5-6:15 PM PT – Thomas Kotcheff, Teaching Artist