SECOND OPINIONS : Youth Orchestra Provides Worthwhile Experience : As fewer public schools offer chances to learn string instruments, CSUN’s program gives young people an opportunity to participate in its ensembles.

As a high school junior, I have been attending school for almost 12 years now. Just like any other student, I have taken courses in history, English, math . . . . I also play the violin, an instrument that the public schools seem not to consider. There are, of course, school bands and choirs, but where can a unique instrument, such as a bass, cello or violin, fit in? You can always get personal tutors, but where can you go and participate to further your learning?

Increasingly fewer schools have an actual orchestra for their students because of funding problems and perhaps the gradually decreasing number of participants. However, for those few people who are interested, there is a program outside the public high schools, called the Cal State Northridge Youth Orchestra, organized for the sole purpose of recruiting youths to play in the university’s ensembles.

The Youth Orchestra, developed in 1970 by a Dr. Thomas Osborne, allows basically anyone who can play an instrument to come and enjoy the benefits of learning music with other people. Although there is no specific age range or limit, members should be roughly from 6 years old to approximately a college-level student. Just like any professional orchestra, the CSUN program meets for rehearsals and gives performances in various places. Although an audition is required to become a member, you do not need to be a child prodigy in music to gain acceptance. The requirements are based mainly on effort and the person’s fundamental abilities to read and play music. There are three levels in the program, from the Junior Orchestra, intended for intermediate students, to the Concert Orchestra, in the middle, to the more advanced Philharmonic Orchestra, in which some members may seek to become professionals. The groups were formed to supply a high-quality experience for each member.

In the past several years, the program has grown rapidly and now consists of nearly 160 members. In addition, this year is its 25th anniversary, and CSUN hopes to make it an especially incredible year for all.

With so much emphasis on other issues in life, I personally enjoy taking some time out of my week to participate and forget many of my troubles. It is a rewarding experience, in that it gives me a way to express myself through music. Since the school I attend does not have an orchestra, this program gives me a chance to actually increase my learning.

The CSUN Youth Orchestra is certainly a positive experience for everyone, no matter from which angle you look at it.

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Anyone who is interested in learning about this program, or attending the orchestras’ performances today and Dec. 10 may contact the CSUN Music Department at (818) 885-3074.