Junior Strings
Junior Strings is open without audition and is mostly comprised of upper elementary and junior high school students who have been playing their instrument for at least two years and/or upon approval of the music director. Rehearsals are on Tuesday, 5:30-6:45 p.m. at Lakeview High School. Additional rehearsals may be scheduled during the year by the music director. Junior Strings performs as part of the BCYO concerts in November, February and May and provides special run-out performances during the year. Students who are interested in joining the Junior Strings should contact the BCYO office for further registration information.
Students in Junior Strings have the opportunity to advance their playing ability during rehearsals as well as have a good time. Alice Hammond, Junior Strings director and former strings teacher for the Vicksburg School District, provides individual attention and music education to student members when needed and makes sure that students have input in the selection of music played. Plenty of solo opportunities are available to students and they are allowed and encouraged to direct musical pieces for the Junior Winds when appropriate. Meeting students from various schools from throughout the area is also a benefit for Junior Strings students, introducing them to students of various abilities and backgrounds that share a common interest in music.
Junior Winds
Junior Winds is open without audition and is mostly comprised of upper elementary and junior high school students who have been playing their instrument for at least one year and/or upon approval of the music director. Rehearsals are on Tuesday, 4:45-6:00 p.m. at Lakeview High School. Additional rehearsals may be scheduled during the year by the music director. Junior Winds performs as part of the BCYO concerts in November, February and May and provides special run-out performances during the year. Students who are interested in joining the Junior Winds should contact the BCYO office for further registration information.
Students in Junior Winds have the opportunity to advance their playing ability during rehearsals as well as have a good time. Students have input in the selection of music played and many solo opportunities are available to students. They are also allowed and encouraged to direct musical pieces for the Junior Strings when appropriate. Meeting students from various schools from throughout the area is also a benefit for Junior Winds students. Director Alice Hammond, through discussion time with the students, encourages students of various abilities and backgrounds to get to know each other in a fun atmosphere.
Junior Youth Orchestra
The Junior Youth Orchestra is comprised of student musicians from the Junior Strings and Junior Winds ensembles. Rehearsals are held during the cross-over time of rehearsals. Battle Creek Junior Youth Orchestra is the only Junior Youth Orchestra in south central and south western Michigan. Something for our junior musicians to be proud of!
The Junior Youth Orchestra performs as part of the BCYO concerts in November, February and May and provides special run-out performances during the year.