Training Orchestra Schedule

The mission of the Kalamazoo Junior Symphony Society is to encourage and develop artistic excellence among young musicians in southwest Michigan by providing a diversity of quality orchestral experiences; and, to enhance the cultural environment of the families and communities it serves.

Kalamazoo Junior Symphony Society History

One of the oldest and finest youth symphony orchestras in the United States, the Kalamazoo Junior Symphony Orchestra (KJSO) was founded in 1939 by Eugene Andrie, its first conductor. In 1941 the orchestra came under the direction of Julius Stulberg who remained its conductor until his death in 1974. The late Herbert Butler directed the orchestra until 1978 when Dr. Robert Ritsema assumed the conductor’s podium. Dr. Ritsema directed the orchestra for the next twenty-two years until his retirement in 2001. Steven Ward replaced Dr. Ritsema and led the orchestra until the spring of 2006. After a year-long conductor search, Andrew Koehler joined the elite core of dedicated Kalamazoo Junior Symphony conductors in June 2007.

This outstanding youth symphony provides an orchestral experience of the highest quality for talented young musicians in southwest Michigan. Players are drawn from the Kalamazoo metropolitan area and surrounding communities in nine counties. Orchestra members do not pay tuition, but are assessed a minimal registration fee. The orchestra is financed by individual and business contributions, state and local grants, and fund raising events.

Membership is open by audition to young musicians through college age with the average age being 16. The orchestra’s season begins in early September with a two day “Tune-up” Camp. For the following eight months the 85-95 member orchestra rehearses once a week for three hours.

Three concerts are presented in Kalamazoo each year. At the orchestra’s spring concert the featured soloist is the third place winner of the Julius Stulberg Auditions, a competition for young string players established as a memorial to the conductor who led and inspired young musicians for over 30 years.

The KJSO has been accorded many national and international honors. It has been selected to play for the North Central Divisional meeting of the Music Educators National Conference and the Midwest International Band and Orchestra Clinic; it has received National Federation of Music Clubs Awards for Merit for the Crusades of Strings, and for its recognition of A merican Composers; it has been recommended by the American Symphony Orchestra League as a model for youth orchestras; it has four times been selected as the accompanying orchestra for the Michigan Youth Arts Festival; and it has been invited to play many special engagements. The orchestra has made seven highly successful tours: Canada in 1973; Europe in 1969, 1977, 1982 and 1988; Australia and New Zealand in 1992; and Brazil in 1996. In 1982 the KJSO won first place in the Youth Orchestra Division of the Eleventh Annual International Youth and Music Festival in Vienna, Austria; in 1992 the orchestra won first place in the Open Orchestra Division of the Australian National Eisteddfod held in the capital city of Canberra; and in 1996 the KJSO played to packed houses and standing ovations throughout its two-week tour to Brazil.

The Kalamazoo Prep String Orchestra (PSO) was established in 1980. Under the direction of Audrey Lipsey and Leo Hazen, students in this intermediate orchestra work on building repertoire and orchestral playing skills. The PSO promotes interest and nurtures future participation in both KJSO and area music education programs. Membership in the PSO is through audition in the spring. The orchestra meets once weekly during the school year for a one and one-half hour rehearsal and presents two concerts per year.

Established in 1992 for elementary string students, the Kalamazoo Training Orchestra (KTO) fosters confidence and enthusiasm for fine music through a series of comprehensive skill building sessions. The KTO program is carefully designed to encompass the special needs of at-risk students by providing the solid foundation and support system necessary for successful participation at more advanced levels of participation. KTO students are recommended to the orchestra by area private and school music educators. Students receive a one-hour music skills training session per week.

The Kalamazoo Junior Symphony, Prep String and Training Orchestras are governed by a 20 member Board of Directors of the Kalamazoo Junior Symphony Society (KJSS) and two player directors and their alternates elected by KJSO members. It is not affiliated with any other organization.