Education and the Bemidji Symphony Orchestra
The Bemidji Symphony has a strong commitment to education.  Thanks to generous grants from the Region 2 Arts Council and the First National Foundation, the orchestra has the opportunity to reach young people in and beyond the concert hall by sending Music Director Beverly Everett, members of the orchestra, and guest musicians into the community and schools for special programs. 

School Visits: Each season the BSO sends its talented guest artists into the our schools.  During the 2008/2009 season, guest artists such as Libby Larsen visited students at Bemidji State University, and Dr. Everett, along with violinist Andrew Martin, personally visited Lincoln Elementary and Red Lake Elementary in preparation for the bi-annual children's concerts for area 4th and 5th graders.  This season for the first time, students from Red Lake elementary attended our children's concert.  Fifth grade students from Red Lake also created essays on the meaning of "Freedom" and these were displayed in the lobby at the April 26 subscription concert.  The traditions continue this season as our visiting artists work with the rich emerging talent of our community. 

Dance Project: During the 2006/2007 season, in conjunction with our November subscription concert, the Bemidji Symphony hosted a dance project for youth of the Bemidji Area Boys and Girls Club, performing original choreography to Aaron Copland's Appalachian Spring.  This project was supported by the Aaron Copland Foundation.  Up to 100 students, ages 12-18, were selected to participate, and over thirty students were involved in the final performance.  The purpose of this project was to involve students who have not yet been exposed to ballet or formal dance training.  The selection process was not evaluated in a competitive artistic manner, but rather the students were chosen based on their interest level and their enthusiasm for the project.  Suzy and Jon Langhaut served as our choreographers for this special project.  The model for this project is the Zukunft Dance Projects done each year by the Berlin Philharmonic.  Dr. Everett has observed and studied the 2004 and 2005 projects in Berlin. 

Youth Orchestra: The Bemidji Symphony is proud of the Headwater's School of Music and the Arts for its creation of the Bemidji Youth Symphony, which held its first rehearsal on November 1, 2005, and it's first public performance on December 1, 2005. Beverly Everett served as founding conductor of the Youth Symphony, and many of the charter members of the youth orchestra are now official members of the Bemidji Symphony.  In 2007, the Headwaters School instituted Junior Strings, a preparatory orchestra conducted by  Dr. Michelle Laliberte.  Participants for both groups are selected by audition only, and these auditions are help in early September.  For more information about the Youth Symphony program, please visit www.hwschool.org , or contact executive director Janet Brademan at 218-444-5606.

Deli concerts: This season the BSO instituted a series of chamber concerts, held at noon the Friday before each BSO concert.  Featuring our visiting artists as well as local musicians, these concerts are free and offer a variety of music to a captive audience. 

"Orchestral Studies" at Bemidji State University in partnership with the BSO and Headwaters School

The strong relationship between the BSO, Bemidji State University, and the Headwaters School of Music and the Arts, provides a unique set of opportunities for students interested in a career in orchestra.  Whether one's aspirations are to play in or conduct a professional orchestra, teach at the college or high school level, or work in orchestra management, development, or administration, his/her expectations can be met through the opportunities in Bemidji! 

Private Study in the Applied Areas at BSU
BSU offers the highest levels of instruction in applied studies of the following orchestral instruments.  The professors work closely with Dr. Everett in consultation about student performance in orchestra, auditions, additional performing opportunities, and scholarship awards.  The advanced level of artistic expectations fully prepares students for orchestra and graduate school auditions, concerto competitions, and other individual performance endeavors.

Instruction is offered for credit in the following areas:

• Trumpet and French Horn: Dr. Del Lyren
• Trombone and Tuba: TBA
• Bassoon, Clarinet and Saxophone: Dr. Steve Konecne
• Flute: Sue Nelson
• Percussion: Eric Sundeen
• Piano: Dr. Steve Carlson
• Oboe: Dr. Julie Bengtson
• Cello and Double Bass: Dr. Patrick Riley
• Violin and Viola: Dr. Michelle Laliberte

Mentoring opportunities through partnership with the Headwaters School of Music and the Arts
BSU students have the opportunity to serve as orchestra mentors to the students of the Headwaters Youth Orchestra.  BSU students play alongside the young students in rehearsal and also lead sectionals and teach private lessons.  The Youth Orchestra mentoring program pays a small, per-service stipend.  Private lessons are compensated at an hourly rate.  For more information about these opportunities, please contact Janet Brademan, executive director of the Headwaters School at 219-444-5606. 

Conducting Study
BSU offers courses at all levels of conducting in both the instrumental and choral areas.  These courses are part of the performance and music education curriculum.  In addition, students may request private study in orchestral conducting with Dr. Everett.  This study is not for course credit, and acceptance is up to the discretion of Dr. Everett.  Students achieving a high level of success in this private study setting are given the opportunity to conduct the Headwaters Youth Symphony in rehearsal and performance, and the Bemidji Symphony Orchestra on their youth concerts. 

Performance opportunities in the BSO
The BSO is an auditioned ensemble, with annual auditions taking place in the early fall.  Audition information is available by emailing podium314@aol.com The Bemidji Symphony performs four subscription concerts each year.  The rehearsal schedule consists of five rehearsals per set, so the process is intense and requires advanced individual preparation outside of rehearsals.  The students have the opportunity to develop the focus and discipline it takes to be an orchestral musician.  Additionally, they have the opportunity to perform with world-class guest artists.

The Future
Already alumni of BSU/BSO have gone on to make great contributions in their field, even within one year of their graduation.  Two examples are Graham Steeds and Katie Vandermeer.  Katie, who grew up in Bemidji, and just graduated in 2006, is now the Assistant Artistic Director of the New Jersey Youth Symphony.  Prior to this, Katie held internships at the Aspen Music Festival and with the Yamaha Corporation in California.  Graham Steeds, 2006 recipient of the BSO's Conductor's Award for Outstanding Student Musician, recently completed a Masters Degree in Trumpet Performance at Florida State University, and has been invited back to BSU as a sabbatical replacement in the trumpet studio for the 2008/2009 year.