CTU 2010 Western Orchestra Update

Update on 14 Mar 2010: Due to unavoidable circumstances, there will be no Western Orchestra performance during the CTU 2010 Memorial Day festival.  CTU thanks all the children and their families for registering their interest to participate in this event.  Please note that all the children who registered their interest this year will automatically be considered for future CTU Western Orchestra performances.

Feb 27, 2010

Chicago Tyagaraja Utsavam has commenced planning for the 2010 Western Orchestra conducted by Smt. Revati Natesan. The Western Orchestra program is held during the Memorial Day 2010 festival. The exact date and time of this performance will be announced after the complete program schedule has been finalized.

Western Orchestra Application Deadline:  Sunday, 7 Mar 2010

2010 Practice Schedule

• Sunday, April 11th – 12.30-3.30 pm
• Sunday, April 18th – 12.30-3.30 pm
• Sunday, April 25th – 12.30-3.30 pm
• Sunday, May  2nd – 12.30-3.30 pm
• Sunday, May  9th – 12.30-3.30 pm
• Sunday, May 16th – 12.30-3.30 pm
• Sunday, May 23rd – 12.30-3.30 pm

The Western Orchestra performance will be held subject to the availability of the appropriate combination of participants who have regularly attended the 2010 practice sessions.  CTU will apply the following criteria — in no particular order — when determining the children who will be part of this orchestra:

• Ability of the student to read Western notation on the instrument of his/her choice at an advanced level, knowledge of Carnatic music at any level is an added advantage. 
• Attendance of the student at the practice sessions, including commitment to practice at home prior to the joint rehearsals.
• Need for the given instrument in the Orchestra. (Balanced representation of various instrument categories is essential).
• Prior experience performing in the CTU Western Orchestra (presence of the more experienced kids during rehearsals provides mentoring to the newer kids in the orchestra).

CTU will do its best to accommodate the schedules of the participating students. 

While all interested children are strongly encouraged to apply, preference will be given to children who:

• are 12 years or older as of Mar 1st 2010
• have been learning the instrument of choice for four years or more at school

Children interested in participating in this performance may apply following the Application Process provided below.  

Note:  A one-time payment of $10 is due for each participating child at the first practice session towards the operational expenses incurred for the Western Orchestra.  CTU requests this payment to be made by check to Chicago Tyagaraja Utsavam.

Application Process 

Please note that CTU may not be in a position to process applications received after the Western Orchestra Application Deadline (see above).