50 state string orchestra project
BETHANEY CROSS + PHOENIX YOUTH SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA: STRING orchestra
PHOENIX, ARIZONA
In 1947, a forward-thinking group formed the Phoenix Symphony Guild with the purpose to create and fund The Phoenix Symphony. Five years later, this same group began the Phoenix Youth Symphony Orchestra in order to train young musicians for The Phoenix Symphony.
In 1955, operating just three years, the Guild began the Symphonette Orchestra in response to overwhelming demand, thus allowing more musicians to prepare for the top-tier Youth Orchestra. Junior Strings was added 11 years later, giving beginning string players an opportunity to learn basic orchestral skills.
As well as adding more ensembles to train more youth throughout the years, the Guild began to conduct its operations as The Phoenix Youth Symphony or PYS in 2007.
The most recent name change reflects the expansion of this organization. PYS is now The Phoenix Youth Symphony Orchestras, or PYSO. The heart of PYSO, its orchestral training program now includes five ensembles: The Symphony Orchestra, The Philharmonic Orchestra, The String Orchestra, The Prelude String Orchestra, The Wind Orchestra.
Close to three hundred student participate in PYSO’s orchestral training program each year. Selected through a rigorous audition process, and invited to train with one of our ensembles, the young musicians enjoy weekly rehearsals led by world-class conductors, sectionals coached by professional musicians, weekend retreats and the opportunity to perform before thousands of audience members in the highest-quality venues throughout the Valley. PYS Orchestras have received local, national and international recognition for excellence and have performed throughout the world.
Phoenix Youth Symphony Orchestra String Orchestra accepts talented upper elementary through 9th grade students who show through audition they are ready for more advanced rehearsal and performance orchestral skills. Members learn to play with sensitivity and ensemble balance. Individual preparation of music is required. Professional musicians are brought in periodically to coach sectionals.
The PYSO String Orchestra was selected to perform at the 1996 and 2022 AMEA State Conventions and has performed at the Phoenix Country Day School, the Phoenix Zoo, the Chandler Center for the Arts, the Festival of Trees at the Glendale Civic Center and in Washington D.C. The String Orchestra toured and performed in Chicago in March, 2007.
CONCERT INFORMATION
DATE: February 26, 2023
TIME: 3:30 pm
LOCATION: Mesa Community College Performing Arts Center.
Bethaney Cross received her Master of Music degree in Music Teaching and Learning from ASU in 2021 and her Bachelor of Arts degree in Viola Performance from Northern Arizona University in 2011. Mrs. Cross currently teaches in the Mesa Public School District at Mountain View High School where she is the Assistant Director of Orchestras and works with the Music Conservatory program. In 2018, she began conducting the String Orchestra with Phoenix Youth Symphony Orchestras. As a PYS alumni, she is excited to be back and working with the young musicians of the organization. In addition to teaching, Mrs. Cross currently serves as the Central Region Chairman through the Arizona Music Educators Association. In 2019, Mrs. Cross guest conducted the Greater Phoenix Union High School Honor Orchestras. During her time in the Scottsdale Unified School District, she served as lead strings specialist for junior high and elementary orchestras.
As a music educator, Mrs. Cross strives to develop a collaborative learning environment amongst her ensembles and build a community of friendship while learning how to deliver a polished performance.
Mrs. Cross is a native of Arizona and currently resides in Mesa with her husband and four children. When she isn’t teaching, you will find her and her family out camping and hiking.
about
the 50 state
string orchestra project
2022-2024
The 50 State String Orchestra Project is a large-scale consortium commission that is bringing new music to classrooms and concert halls all over the US in the 2022/2023 and 2023/2024 seasons, with educational and community orchestras in all 50 states commissioning a new piece for string orchestra, similar in difficulty level and scope to Stephanie’s 2011 work for string orchestra Beyond the Gate. Her consortium commissions for chamber music have already brought new string-centered music all across the world, from her 50 State Sonata Project for violin + piano, inspired by the work of her teacher John Kendall, and her World Sonata Project, which was commissioned by violinists from 35 countries in 2016.