Young Artists String Orchestra (YASO)

YASO Spring Season

2017-01-16T14:35:00.002-05:00

Welcome back YASO! We hope you had a great New Years. We are looking forward to beginning rehearsals again this Thursday, January 19th at 4pm. We have some great music to begin working on and are excited to welcome our new members.

See you all then!

Amanda & Melody

Christmas concert schedule for December

2015-09-01T05:36:00.002-04:00

We have an added concert for the Christmas Extravaganza. I mentioned it to the orchestra a couple weeks ago. It is NOW CONFIRMED!

Thursday, December 10 - Sebring Circle Theatre Christmas Exxtravaganza - 2 concerts

Thursday, December 17 - Okeechobee Presbyterian Church - not sure of time yet - It will probably be about 6:30

PLEASE SAVE THESE DATES. EACH OF YOU ARE AN IMPORTANT PART OF THESE CONCERTS. In fact, you are indispensable. You are special!!

See you all on Thursday.

Note: Ashley, could you send this on to Trinity's family and send me her e-mail so I have it in my records. Thanks.

Love from Diane

First rehearsal of the new season!

2015-08-17T22:40:00.003-04:00

NOTICE!!!! Our first rehearsal for this new season begins on August 20 at the Nazarene Church. The advanced YASO will rehearse at 2:30. YASO JR will rehearse at 4:00. We have the new music for the Christmas Extravaganza Concert at the Circle Theatre. The date to mark on your calendar for that event is December 10. Don't forget to save the date. The dress rehearsal is always the evening before. We are always looking for new members. Please respond if you will not be available for this first rehearsal!

Bring your folders. The advanced group should have your music in the folder since that was sent out to you. You can turn all the old music at the first rehearsal.

I am excited to see you all again and can't wait as we prepare for the best Christmas concert yet.

See you next Thursday - August 20.

Love to all of you,

Diane and Ashley

Dress Rehearsal and Concert for April 26

2015-04-14T06:54:00.000-04:00

Dear Young Artists and Parents,

We are getting close to concert time at the Lake Placid Presbyterian Church at 118 N Oak Ave, LP

Time: 4:00 P.M. Sunday Suites Concert

We will plan to arrive at the Presbyterian Church at 3:15 P.M.

Dress: All black (dressy)

bow ties and/or black shirts or jackets as usual

Dress Rehearsal will be on our regular rehearsal day, April 23, but will be held at the Presbyterian Church.

Here is the time schedule for that day:

2:00 - set up stage at Presbyterian Church

2:30 - YASO

4:00 - Directions for chair placements and "changing seating" for each group. YASO JR must be there for this. Hopefully, it won't take all of the 15 minutes allotted.

4:15 - YASO JR

5:00 - done - leave for the Nazarene Church as soon as possible. Music stands may be left in the bin at the Presbyterian Church to store until Sunday.

5:00 - 5:30 Dinner for all YASO families at the church. Drinks will be provided. Bring dish and dessert to share. If you have any questions about the dinner, you may direct them to Amy Finke.

Immediately after the rehearsal, we will return to the Nazarene Church for an End of the Season Potluck dinner. I believe you all received that memo from Amy. I loved it the year you all brought your favorite dishes, including Indian food, Lebanese food, and assorted other dishes. It might be better to plan dinner closer to 5:30, since the rehearsal will not be at the Nazarene Church. I spoke to Joshua Klatt today concerning the details, and the church will be open to us on that afternoon and the piano will be moved so we can set up for the rehearsal. You don't need to dress up for this occasion.

This concert will end our orchestra season of rehearsals, hoping to restart in August in preparation for the Christmas Extravaganza. You have blessed me more than I can say this season. You sound beautiful and have shown great improvement over the last year.

Thanks again, parents, for your willing contributions, to make all this happen.

Love, Diane

YASO!! IMPORTANT NOTICE

2014-08-23T21:36:00.001-04:00

Dear Parents and Musicians,

This coming Thursday (Aug. 14) begins our regular YASO rehearsals for the Christmas Extravaganza. Be sure you have practiced on your orchestra parts. YASO JR. begins at 4:00. YASO begins at 4:45. See you all there!

PLEASE MARK YOUR CALENDARS FOR DECEMBER 18! We are booked at the Sebring Circle Theater for our Christmas Extravaganza Concert on December 18 (Thursday) for 2 concerts (5:30 and 7:00). Tickets will be available in October for $5 each, as before. Let's try to fill up both concerts this year. The dress rehearsal for this concert is scheduled for December 17 (Wednesday) at 5:30 P.M.

Love to all of you.

Ms. Diane, Miss Ashley, Ms. Peggy, and Mr. Bill

Schedule of Rehearsals

2014-06-28T16:53:00.001-04:00

Just to let you know that we will begin YASO rehearsals August 14. If each of you practices on your Christmas music this summer, we should be able to have enough time to learn all this music well before the Extravaganza.

Have a wonderful rest of the summer.

Love you all.

Diane

Scholarships

2014-06-14T21:35:00.000-04:00

From the proceeds of tickets sold at Christmas concerts and love offerings over the past 4 years, we are able to purchase music, equipment, and supplies for the orchestra. This spring (2014) we have begun giving scholarships to Young Artists String Orchestra (YASO) students to be used for music camps, lessons, and additional musical ventures.

Scholarships totaling $2000 were given out at the Spring Spectacular concert (May 2014). We plan to continue to give scholarships as we are able financially from the monetary gifts of supporters, and the sale of Christmas concert tickets.

Spring Spectacular

2014-05-17T21:19:00.001-04:00

State Finals Music Competition

2014-05-17T21:11:00.000-04:00

I am pleased to announce that 3 of my YASO students one FIRST place ribbons and 1 won a second place ribbons solo performance in their instrument. I am so very proud of them!

Diane

Spring Spectacular Concert May 21st

2014-05-17T21:05:00.003-04:00

Young Artists String Orchestra to Host Spring Spectacular Concert

The Young Artists String Orchestra (YASO), under the direction of Diane Osborne will perform their Spring Spectacular Concert at the Lake Placid Church of the Nazarene on Wednesday, May 21 at 7:00 P.M.

The string orchestra, which is comprised of children and young people,ages 7-18 from Avon Park, Sebring, Lake Placid - and as far away as Port St. Lucie, was founded by Diane Osborne in 2009. Their most recent concert, The 4th Annual Christmas Extravaganza at the Circle Theatre in Sebring, quickly sold out and an additional show was added. The students received rave reviews at this concert, and their fans have been eagerly anticipating their Spring Spectacular Concert.

In January 2014, due to high interest level from parents of beginning students, Diane Osborne, with her associate conductors, Peggy Essex-Klammer and Bill Hawthorne, decided it was time to launch YASO JUNIOR, an orchestra group for beginning players. YASO JR. is conducted by student conductor Ashley Finke, concert mistress of YASO String Orchestra. Both groups will be performing at the concert on May 21. Come and support these wonderful young musicians.

There is no charge for this concert, but a love offering will be taken. Proceends will further the musical studies of this talented group of young people. Lake Placid Church fo the Nazarene is located at 512 West Interlake Blvd. in Lake Placid. For more information, you may call Diane Osborne at 659-4541.

Recital June 12

2014-05-17T21:03:00.002-04:00

Dear Students and Parents,

We will go ahead and have the Recital on Thursday, June 12, as previously planned. Most of the students are available and have their pieces in the finishing stages. I know some of you have said you kept that in your schedule. Thank you for your understanding. The Recital will be at 6:00 so the students can get home earlier that evening after our refreshments. Plan to bring a dessert to share.

I am so proud of how much you have improved this last year and am excited that some new students will be performing this year.

Blessings,

Diane

Today's rehearsal

2014-02-13T13:31:00.001-05:00

See you all tonight for the rehearsal. Beginner YASO starts at 4:00 and Advanced YASO starts at 4:45. Dinner is at 6:00. Bring your favorite food and we will enjoy it together. Following the dinner, we will have a short business meeting. Young musicians may attend this.

Love you all,

Diane

Dinner cancellation!

2014-01-29T15:27:00.001-05:00

There will NOT be YASO rehearsal or dinner tomorrow night! One family is ill, another is

scheduled for an important event, neither Bill or Peggy is able to be at the dinner. So...don't forget

the concert at Florida State Collegenext Thursday - Feb. 6. Amy Finke has all the tickets that you purchased.

They need to be given together at the door so we will meet and go in together. I'll send more information

on that in a couple days. This is the Philharmonic orchestra with Sarina Zhang, cello/piano soloist.

We will plan the first rehearsal and dinner on the following Thursday - Feb. 13.

Please let me know if you receive this. I want to be sure everyone gets the message.

Love, Diane

Dinner on Thursday

2014-01-27T14:00:00.002-05:00

Dear young musicians and families,

This Thursday is the first rehearsal of the new semester. We will have a shortened rehearsal, followed by a dinner.

Bring you favorite "share" meal and dessert. Margaret Sager will be in charge of setting up the food and perhaps everyone could help set up the tables after the rehearsal. We will plan to eat at 5:30. Following the dinner, I will have a meeting with the parents and discuss some plans for a beginning orchestra and regular YASO. Peggy, Bill and I met over lunch for discuss the new schedule and also plans for a scholarship program available to students. We will discuss the requirements for these scholarships. The Lord has blessed us with donations and our fund raising concerts and I believe that money should go back to those students who are eligible. You will be given a list of the requirements for these scholarships and there will be time for some suggestions and questions from you, as well. Already, it has been suggested that we have a spring concert at the Circle Theatre again. I need your input on that so we can book the theatre in advance.

I am hoping my beginner students and families will attend this dinner. Having a beginner orchestra will provide new students with a way to learn so they can eventually join the main orchestra. Also, it will make it possible for YASO to learn more challenging music for the more advanced students.

If you receive this email, you are included. This will include beginners of Bill and Peggy, and Ashley, as well. Please make this Thursday a priority on your list. I know a couple of you are moving, or have moved already, but if you can make it to the dinner, we want you to come.

I would appreciate it if you would let me know if you will be coming. I am providing the drinks and the church is providing the paper goods.

See you all on Thursday. The regular YASO rehearsal begins at 4:00 and the dinner is at 5:30.

Love you all,

Diane

Next rehearsal Jan. 30

2014-01-18T22:14:00.001-05:00

Dear young musicians and families,

On Friday Peggy, Bill, and I had a lunch meeting concerning YASO. Our first rehearsal of the year will beon January 30 at 4:00. After a shortened rehearsal, we will have a dinner. You have asked about that, and it would be so nice to relax and visit with one another. After receiving calls and e-mails from you, we have decided to change the rehearsal to Thursdays. Friday is no longer an option. Both teachers are available on most Thursdays, so that will be a great help, also. We discussed new music and the start-up of a beginning orchestra. This will give opportunity for the each musician to play more at their level. Details of how that will work will be given in a short meeting with families after our dinner. I thought it was so nice to have you bring your favorite food at our last dinner. We had Indian food, Syrian food, and other wonderful food - so feel free to surprise us.

We are working on a scholarship program for the students and discussed the requirements. One of the requirements is regular attendance at rehearsals. We will discuss this at the dinner, as well, and give you other requirements to be eligible. The Lord has blessed YASO with money that we want to be used to help serious students in their music studies.

Please be sure to mark January 30on your calendar. We will plan dinner for about 5:30. Let me know if that works for you.

Another date to mark down isFebruary 6 at Florida State College in Avon Park. It is the Orlando Philharmonic, featuring Sarina Zhang, a pianist and cellist. You already purchased tickets for that performance and we have reserved seats. I will be in touch with the lady who will be working on getting our group to "a meet and greet" with Philharmonic members so you can speak to them personally.

I believe this will be a good year for our kids. I am privileged to work with you wonderful families, and I know

Bill and Peggy feel exactly the same way.

My Love,

Diane

Schedule for Upcoming Concerts

2013-12-11T13:41:00.002-05:00

Dear Young Musicians,

The last regular rehearsal will be this Friday from 4-6 - we may run a little over for the advanced ensemble.

Dress Rehearsal is on Wednesday, Dec. 18, at 6:00 at the Sebring Circle Theater. DON'T FORGET YOUR MUSIC. The theater is right ON the circle. The address on

the tickets is for their office and is incorrect. You won't miss it if you look right on the Circle. You do not have to

dress up for this rehearsal. Please be sure to be there. Be sure to let Ms. Margaret know how many tickets you have sold by that time. Please SELL! SELL! SELL! We would like to fill up the 5:30 concert.

On Thursday, December 19, please be at the Circle Theater NO LATER than 4:30 - 4:45. The doors will open for that concert at 5:00 and we need to be tuned and ready.

There will probably only be about 20 minutes between concerts to eat something, so bring a sack lunch or snack. The doors for the7:00 concert will open at 6:30.

After the concert, there are a number of places and decorations right there if you would like to visit with friends and family. We will need to be out of the theater as

quickly as possible after the guests leave so they can lock up, so plan any visiting or eating elsewhere.

We had thought of having a dinner at a place nearby, but decided it would be too late for a school night. We will plan a fellowship and dinner sometime after the first of the year in place of a rehearsal. That way everyone can be there and we can visit and relax.

Be sure to dress formally in black. Boys: wear a black suit with white shirt or a black tuxedo. Girls: wear black dressy pants/skirt and black blouse, or a black dress.

Ridge Florist is providing all the girls with red corsages and the boys with red boutonnieres. The theater is decorated beautifully.

I love you and your families. You make me feel so honored to be a part of your lives.

If you have any questions, be sure to call me.

Diane

Concert Dates

2013-08-23T05:59:00.002-04:00

Dear Students and Parents,

There is NO YASO tomorrow. Our next rehearsal is August 30.

Our new music stands will be here for the next rehearsal.

Please mark these dates on your calendar!

Our Christmas Extravaganza Concert is scheduled at the Lake Placid

Conference Center on December 12(Thursday, as usual). The dress rehearsal

for that concert will be on Wednesday evening before.

Don’t forget the concert on November 10 (Sunday) at 4:00 at the Lake

Placid Presbyterian Church for their Concert Series.

We will plan some other concerts at the church and also the library around the

same dates. We will have those dates verified as the time gets closer.

We will be discussing the subject of scholarship gifts for eligible students. The Lord has blessed us

with concert funds and gifts that will make that possible. I plan to do that sometime

around the first of the year. As you know, I do not charge families monthly

fees to be in this orchestra any longer. It is a ministry gift from me to these kids. I do not take

any money personally from the funds collected. However, I do give a monetary gift

each Christmas to each of the teachers ( Miss Peggy and Mr. Bill) helping me. Thank you

for your commitment to attending all the rehearsals and giving your children private

music lessons. I am thrilled with how they are branching out and able to use their God-given

talents for the Lord.

Thanks so much.

Blessings,

Diane

Don't forget rehearsal

2013-08-07T17:46:00.000-04:00

Dear musicians,

Yes! We will have a rehearsal this Friday – August 9.

See you all there. We had a really thorough and great rehearsal last week. I am pleased with how the

music is sounding.

Love to you all.

Diane

Rehearsal this Friday

2013-07-28T14:58:00.002-04:00

Dear young musicians,

Just a reminder that our next rehearsal is this coming Friday ( Aug. 2) at 4:00. I hope you can all be at this

rehearsal as we prepare for fall concert and Christmas concerts.

Blessings,

Diane

Reply needed about November concert

2013-06-26T08:06:00.000-04:00

Dear Musicians and families,

I have been contacted by Joshua Klatt, music minister of the Lake Placid

First Presbyterian Church for an YASO concert during their Concert Series

in the fall. The date is November 10 – Sunday afternoon at 4:00 P.M. I need

to know if you will be available for that date. Please respond because I need to

confirm the date. Then please mark it on your calendar – I need everyone

to be a part of that concert.

The next YASO rehearsals are July 12and July 26. I know summer is a difficult

time to work in rehearsals, but we need these to be ready for fall and Christmas

concerts. Quite a few have been missing. Please make every effort to be at the

rehearsals. If you are unable to be there, I would appreciate knowing so I can

change the dates if there are several gone. Thanks so much.

Blessings,

Diane

Rehearsal tomorrow, June 21

2013-06-20T13:32:00.002-04:00

Dear Musicians,

I have returned from my trip.

Just a reminder that we are having rehearsal tomorrow at 4:00. Please let me know your schedules for the rest of the summer

so our rehearsals will have as many present as possible. We will work rehearsals around your summer schedules. There will not be rehearsalson June 28 or July 5. Please let me know if July 12 and July 26 will work for you. Your attendance depends on whether or not we have summer sessions. We are preparing for a fall concert as well as Christmas Extravaganza, so need as many at each rehearsal as possible.

Blessings,

Diane

Tentative summer schedule

2013-06-20T13:30:00.001-04:00

Following is the reduced summer tentative schedule.

Please let me know if you are unable to attend these rehearsals. We will be preparing for our fall concert and

working on Christmas music, as well, this summer.

June 7, 14, 21

July 12, 26

August 9, 23

We will resume our regular fall schedule in September.

Have a blessed summer.

Love, Diane

Recital

2013-04-23T09:43:00.001-04:00

Dear Parents and Students,

The music Recital is scheduled on Thursday, May 16 at 6:00 P.M. at the Church of the Nazarene .

I have invited Mr. Bill and Ms. Peggy to have their students be a part of this Recital, as

well as my students. We did this last year and it was a great success. You have practiced

well, and I can’t wait to see the finished project.

Invite your friends and family. This is a yearly event and a great time to get together

to encourage these wonderful young people to continue to study and learn their chosen instrument.

What a delight you are when I see you practicing diligently and playing beautiful music.

My Love to each of you.

Diane (violin/piano)

as well as Bill (cello/violin/string bass)

Peggy (viola/violin)

New Chamber String Orchestra

2013-04-21T23:15:00.002-04:00

Dear Parents,

Next week (April 26) there will be NO YASO REHEARSAL. Several of the musicians are playing for the FACCS exam in Port St. Lucie. We will resume regular rehearsals on May 3. That week we also will be starting a chamber group of intermediate-advanced students who will rehearse from 5:15 - 6:00 (following the regular orchestra rehearsal).

So YASO will rehearse from 4:00 - 5:15 as normal(try to be prompt so we have the full 1 1/4 hr) and the others will continue until 6:00. This will keep the orchestra intact and still give the more advanced students some really challenging music to add to our performances.

If you have any questions, please call me.

See you all on May 3.

Blessings,

Diane

Fall Schedule

2012-09-18T23:54:00.000-04:00

September 23 (Sunday P.M.) - Operation Christmas Child Banquet/Program

Bible Fellowship Church, 3750 Hammock Rd, Sebring

You Raised Me Up
Tchaikovsky
Wear blue YASO shirts and tan pants/skirt
Arrive at 5:00 for dinner - perform at 6:00

October 17 - Two concerts
Lake Placid Memorial Library - 4:00 (30-40 minute concert)
Wear Blue YASO shirts/tan pants/skirt
Be prepared to change clothes at church
Dinner between concerts at church - Potluck

Lake Placid Church of the Nazarene - 7:00 (full concert)
Dressy - black and white

October 26 (Friday P.M.) - 6:00 (full concert)
Bible Fellowship Church, 3750 Hammock Rd, Sebring, Fl
Dressy - black and white

December 5 - Dress Rehearsal at Lake Placid Conference Center - 6:00

December 6 - Christmas Extravaganza Community Concert
Dressy with Santa Hats
Dinner at 6:00
Concert after dinner

For those who are serving (and YASO members), please arrive at 5:30 so we can get set up and tune your instruments.