Concert Orchestra
About the Orchestra
Concert Orchestra is Southeastern Minnesota’s premier student ensemble that provides a full orchestra experience for advanced students on string, woodwind, brass, and percussion instruments. Students learn and perform original classical masterworks and contemporary pieces for symphony orchestra. In addition to full orchestra, students have regular sectionals with area professional musicians. Recent repertoire has included Romeo and Juliet by Tchaikovsky, Mothership by Mason Bates, and Capriccio espagnole by Rimsky-Korsakov.
Conductor – Keehun Nam
After conducting across Europe and the United States, Keehun Nam has returned to Minnesota to grow and invest in musical communities in his home state.
Mr. Nam currently serves as the Artistic Director of the Southeastern Minnesota Youth Orchestras (SEMYO) where he oversees its five orchestras and conducts its top ensemble. At SEMYO, he fosters a collaborative atmosphere that empowers students on personal and musical levels.
In Europe, Mr. Nam has conducted orchestras in Berlin, St. Petersburg, Cyprus, Czech Republic, and Bulgaria. In North America, he has conducted concerts at the Cabrillo Festival of Contemporary Music, the National Music Festival, Cornell University, Vanderbilt University, McGill University, and Ithaca College, among others.
Rehearsals
Saturday mornings from 9:30 AM – 12:30 PM (early September → Mother’s Day with holiday breaks).
Performances
Concert Orchestra performs three major concerts per year, one holiday performance, and a day-long outreach tour. Formal concert dates for the 2023-2024 season include November 12, February 25, and May 19.
Fees and Financial Assistance
Participation fee of $245 per trimester (season – $735) + $50 Registration Fee per family. Discounts are available for families with multiple children and families traveling from outside of the greater Rochester area.
SEMYO is open to all student musicians regardless of financial constraints. To apply for tuition assistance click here.
Philharmonic Orchestra
About the Orchestra
The Philharmonic Orchestras is a full orchestra experience for students of all ages on string, woodwind, brass, and percussion instruments. String players typically need a minimum of 3-4 years experience, and wind/brass/percussion players 1-2 years experience. Recent repertoire has included arrangements of An American in Paris, New World Symphony, and Russian Sailor’s Dance. Original works include Pirate’s Dance and Warrior Legacy by Soon He Newbold.
Conductor – Sarah Gifford
Mrs. Sarah Gifford is a Rochester native and SEMYO’s Philharmonic Orchestra conductor. She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Music with a K-12 Music Education minor from Luther College, and a Master of Music degree in Clarinet Performance from the University of Oklahoma. During her undergraduate and graduate education, she had several opportunities to perform internationally in Austria, Brazil, Japan, and Italy. Mrs. Gifford previously served as a 5-12 band director in Breckenridge, MN, where she also taught piano lessons and figure skating lessons. Read More…
Rehearsals
Saturday mornings from 9:30 a.m. – Noon (early September to mid May with holiday breaks).
Performances
Philharmonic Orchestra performs 3 formal concerts per year, one holiday performance, and one day-long outreach tour. Formal concert dates for the 2023-2024 season include November 12, February 25, and May 19.
Fees & Financial Assistance
Participation fee of $215 per trimester (season – $645) + $50 Registration Free per family. Discounts are available for families with multiple children and families traveling from outside of the greater Rochester area.
SEMYO is open to all student musicians regardless of financial constraints. To apply for tuition assistance click here
Chamber Strings
About the Orchestra
Chamber Strings is a string orchestra for students who play violin, viola, cello, or bass with two or more years playing experience (or Suzuki grade 3). Orchestra members will rehearse and perform arranged and original works for string orchestra while preparing for participation in the SEMYO Philharmonic Orchestra. Recent repertoire has included an arrangement of Mars by Gustav Holst, Blue-Fire Fiddler by Soon Her Newbold, and Celtic Fiddle Tune by Elliot Del-Borgo.
Lori Ringen – Conductor
Lori Ringen-Poencet is her 4th year as Chamber Strings conductor and also served for two years as the instructor of the SEMYO String Academy at Riverside Central Elementary School. Ms. Ringen has taught orchestra for fourteen years at Friedell Middle School and Kellogg Middle School. She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Music Education from Luther College and a Master of Education degree in Learning Design and Technology from Saint Mary’s University of MN.
In 2016 Ms. Ringen received the SEMYO Bravura Award for Excellence in Music Education. In addition to teaching, Ms. Ringen enjoys playing violin in community orchestras and the worship band at her church.
Rehearsals
Saturday mornings from 10 a.m. – Noon (early September to mid May with holiday breaks). Rehearsals take place at Kellogg Middle School located at 503 17th St NE, Rochester.
Performances
Chamber Strings performs 3 formal concerts per year, one holiday performance, and one day-long outreach tour. Formal concert dates for the 2023-2024 season include November 12, February 25, and May 19.
Fees and Financial Assistance
Participation fee of $195 per trimester (season – $585) + $50 Registration fee per family. Discounts are available for families with multiple children and families traveling from outside of the greater Rochester area.
SEMYO is open to all student musicians regardless of financial constraints. To apply for tuition assistance click here
