Major in Classical Liberal Arts
Youth Music Academy
The PHC Youth Music Academy was established in 2007 as part of an effort to serve the community and encourage local homeschooling families in their educational undertaking. It is comprised of high school and middle school students and meets once a week on the Patrick Henry College campus for rehearsal.
Listen to the YMA perform Gloria from Heiligmesse (F. J. Haydn, 1732-1809).
Statement from the Executive Director
“We are pleased to sponsor this musical organization in an effort to serve both our community and our students. The purpose of the YMA is two-fold in that it seeks to provide an outlet for young musicians in our region to grow in their musicianship and poise through the study and performance of music and to provide a musical practicum for the college’s CLA-Music Track students. PHC students who are CLA-Music Track majors will receive internship/practicum credit for their time working with the YMA participants as part of their prescribed course of study. The potential for mentorship and musical growth on all levels of this partnership makes this organization one of the most exciting pedagogical instruments that I have ever seen.”
~ Dr. Steven McCollum, Director of Music, Patrick Henry College
Announcement: 2010 Orchestra "Stimulus Package" To build our orchestra and offer assistance to families investing in private instrumental lessons, PHC-YMA is offering a one-time deeply discounted tuition for orchestra students for the 2010-2011 academic year. The regular price of $350/year will be cut to $200/year (siblings $100). Contact director Todd Morrison for auditions, morrison1998@hughes.net, or call 703-901-2068.
Auditions
Before admission into the YMA, students must complete the audition and application process, which is comprised of a short, informal meeting with the director to gauge vocal range and ability. Prior to scheduling an audition time, the student and parent must complete and submit the Audition Form and the Registration Form.
The Youth Music Academy (YMA) at Patrick Henry College is holding open auditions in August and January for choir and orchestra. These performing ensembles provide superb musical opportunities for students in grades 8-12. To schedule an orchestra audition, call 703-901-2068. To schedule a choir audition, call 540-429-8611.
Forms:
YMA-Instrumental Audition Form
YMA Performance Commitment Form
FALL 2010 CHOIR SCHEDULE
- Oct. 15, Friday evening, 5PM-7PM at Heritage Hall, Leesburg (mini-concert and hymn sing 5:30-6:30)
- Oct. 27, Wednesday, approx. 9 a.m.-3 p.m., PHC Fall Music Festival
- November 14, Sunday AM Services, Purcellville Baptist Church
- December 1, Wednesday, 1PM-5PM, extended rehearsal with orchestra
- December 4, Saturday AM, dress rehearsal for Christmas concert at PHC
- December 5, Sunday, 6PM, Christmas Concert at PHC
Protocol
Rehearsals
Weekly rehearsals for the YMA Orchestra will be held in the Large Rehearsal Room in the Barbara Hodel Student Center on the Patrick Henry College campus on Wednesdays from 3:30-5:30pm. The YMA Choir will meet in Town Hall on Wednesdays from 1-3pm. Rehearsals for the 2010 Fall semester begin on Wednesday, September 8. Rehearsals for the 2011 Spring semester begin on Wednesday, January 26. Please note that PHC has a “business casual” dress code for all students during business hours each week. PHC-YMA participants will be asked to abide by this simple dress code. Simply put, the dress code asks that students do not wear jeans, t-shirts, or tennis shoes during business hours.
Attendance
YMA desires to see all students succeed and grow as musicians. Because musical ensembles are teams where each performer is necessary to the whole, 100% attendance at all rehearsals, events and performances is expected. "If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it." 1 Cor 12:26 PHC-YMA provides a list of dates before the semester begins, and parents must check these dates carefully against the student's academic and personal calendar before signing a performance commitment form. One or more performance or educational events may require students to reschedule or miss normally scheduled classes and/or activities. YMA asks parents to consider calendar commitments carefully and sign the form if the student can attend all events. If an emergency conflict arises during the school year, parents must submit notice to the director in writing, by email, as far in advance as possible. Verbal explanations cannot be accepted.
Decorum
Patrick Henry College is a faith-based institution and has established clear mission and worldview statements, which all full-time and adjunct faculty embrace. While participants in the PHC-YMA will not be asked to sign any statements of faith or worldview, we do ask that all participants become acquainted with the views of the college and behave in a way that demonstrates respect for these views.
Tuition
A tuition fee will be charged for each student participating in the PHC-YMA. Payment of tuition is due, in full, on or before the first rehearsal of your ensemble. Please bring your completed registration form and full payment to the first rehearsal and make checks payable to Patrick Henry College. Pro-rated fees will apply to families with more than one student in the same ensemble. The fee for the 2nd participant in the same ensemble will be ½ the full tuition. Families with more than two participants in the same ensemble will be considered on a case by case basis.
New students: $350/year (discount available for siblings in same ensemble)
Returning students who renew registration by May 31 for the following year: $320/year (sibling discounts apply)Note: PHC-YMA Orchestra tuition has been discounted for the 2010/2011 school year! Take advantage of this one-time tuition offer and pay only $200/year (siblings $100/year).
Directors' Bios
Orchestra Director: Todd Morrison won a position as a saxophonist in the U.S. Navy Band in 1996. He earned his Bachelor's degree from Ithaca College and his Master's degree from George Mason University. His former teachers include Steven Mauk, Jamal Rossi and Dale Underwood. He has been featured as soloist with the United States Navy Band, Ithaca College Symphony Orchestra, Ithaca Concert Band, the Capital Wind Symphony and the Loudoun Concert Band. He was twice a winner of the Ithaca College Concerto Competition, a Classical Soloist winner for Down Beat Magazine, a finalist in the National Symphony Orchestra Concerto Competition, a runner-up in the North American Saxophone Alliance Performance Competition and 2nd prizewinner of the Fischoff National Chamber Music Competition. Todd Morrison was named director of the Patrick Henry College Youth Music Academy Orchestra in 2008.
Todd and his wife Melissa, homeschool their four children and currently reside in Hillsboro, VA.
Choir Director: Rod Appleton graduated from Biola University in La Mirada, CA in 1983 with a Bachelor of Music degree in Music Education. He received his Masters of Music degree in Choral Conducting from California State University, Fullerton, in 1988. He has directed numerous Junior High, Senior High, and College level choral ensembles in California, and was a Music and Worship Pastor at three churches in California and British Columbia. In 1998 he began a full-time career in real estate and has since continued his choral conducting and church music in an adjunct/part-time capacity.
Rod and Terry Appleton moved to Virginia in 2005, and live in Round Hill with their three teenagers, Joshua, Benjamin, and Emma. Rod currently works as a realtor with Century 21 New Millennium, and serves in music leadership at both Purcellville Baptist Church and Patrick Henry College Youth Music Academy choir.
