Playing For Keeps

Playing for Keeps is a music education project initiated in 2001 by the Oregon East Symphony Board of Directors. It provides group and private music instruction, and performance opportunities for rural youth from 4th grade through high school with a heavy focus on classical strings.
The goals of Playing for Keeps are:
  • To help rural young people gain access to new cultural opportunities,
  • To forge alliances between OES and local school districts,
  • To give young people who cannot afford musical instruction and/or instruments a chance to participate in music lessons, rehearsal and performance
  • To develop an awareness concerning the role of an orchestra and chorale in the cultural wealth of the region.

Symphony Strings

An afterschool beginner level strings instruction activity produced in collaboration with the Pendleton School District. Pendleton area 4th and 5th grade aged students participate in semi-weekly group instruction in violin, viola, or cello. After the successful completion of Symphony Strings a student will possess rudimentary playing ability on their instrument of choice, elementary music reading ability, and understand the basic dynamics of performing in a group musical ensemble. This activity is augmented by high school aged teaching assistants, many of whom are Symphony String alumni recruited from the Pendleton High School orchestra, who provide support to the adult lead instructors and are offered exposure to a career in music education.
Information letter
2024-2025 Symphony Strings Registration Form (fillable PDF)2024-2025 Symphony Strings Registration Form (fillable WORD)

Preludes Orchestra

This orchestra is for beginner level string players who are new to playing in a large ensemble. Students should consider registering for this ensemble if you have 0-2 years of orchestral experience, and if you are in elementary and middle school. This ensemble is conducted by OES Section Violinist Emma Norquist and rehearsals take place every Monday at the Pendleton High School Music Department.
2024-2025 Preludes Registration Form (fillable PDF)2024-2025 Preludes Registration Form (fillable WORD)

2024-2025 Preludes Schedule

OES Youth Orchestra

This orchestra is for intermediate to advanced string musicians in middle or high school who have at least 2-3 years of orchestral experience. All students should be familiar with 2-octave scales and a working knowledge of positions outside of the 1st position. Private lessons are strongly recommended for this ensemble. OESYO is conducted by OES Education Director, Assistant Conductor and Principal Cellist Zach Banks. Rehearsals take place every Monday at the Pendleton High School Music Department.
2024-2025 OESYO Registration Form (fillable PDF)2024-2025 OESYO Registration Form (fillable WORD)
2024-2025 OESYO Schedule

Youth Chamber Collective

This program is an opportunity for OESYO students to create their own chamber music groups (string duo, trio or quartet) and receive coaching from OES Education Director Zach Bank. Each group will use performance as a way to engage with their community beyond the concert hall. Examples of performances include holiday services, farmers markets, or retirement homes. Rehearsal/coaching sessions are to be scheduled by each group on an individual basis.

Raising the Bar

This is OES's mentoring program that pairs advanced string students with professionals in the symphony. These students will get to perform in up to 4 concerts in the upcoming season! Participants rehearse once per week with a professional coach starting one month in advance of each concert. The week of a concert program students rehearse with OES Conductor Beau Benson and sit as stand partners with professional players in the OES Orchestra. Just like the professional adult musicians, students are compensated for their particiaption in the OES rehearsal series. This is an audition-based program, so please contact Education Director Zach Bank, if you are interested in signing up for an audition.

Music Theory & Composition

This is a brand new program which offers an introduction to music theory. A basic knowledge of music theory can be a great opportunity for students to enhance their music literacy and comprehension, and especially for any students who wish to study or play music in college as a music major or minor. In addition to theory, students will have the opportunity to compose their own works of music using the tools they learned from the theory portion of class. For this first year, we are limiting registration to high school students in orchestra, band, or choir, and students of any age who play in OESYO. Classes will take place at Pendleton High School every Thursday from 6:30pm - 7:30pm, beginning on October 3rd.

Summer Strings

An annual week-long summer day camp for string musicians presented by teaching artists from the ranks of the Oregon East Symphony orchestra. Camp attendees participate in instrument workshops, chamber and orchestral ensembles, music theory and composing workshops, music history and appreciation courses, and bluegrass and fiddling workshops. The camp culminates with a free public performance by all camp ensembles. Participants’ skill levels range from beginner to advanced, but the ability to read music is requisite for participation.

Additional Activities

Young People’s ConcertsA bi-annual concert programmed by OES Conductor and Artistic Director Dr. Beau Benson that takes place at the Vert Auditorium the week of our season opening concert. The concert is designed to introduce students to the fundamental elements of music (melody, harmony, rhythm and timbre), instruments within the symphony, proper concert etiquette, and music history.
Student Concert TicketsDuring the week leading up to our symphonic concert productions, OES Conductor and Artistic Director Dr. Beau Benson visits with multiple public school music classes within the area to talk with students about the upcoming program and distribute complimentary student and family tickets.
Private Lesson Financial AssistanceOES offers financial assistance for string students who wish to further their studies with an approved private instructor but lack the financial means to afford private lessons. OES also provides studio space for lessons to take place in. Participation in the Private Lesson Financial Assistance program will require participation in either the Preludes or OES Youth Orchestra.
Instrument Lending LibraryOES maintains an instrument lending library of fractional size violins, violas, cellos, and basses to be used by students participating in PFK activities who are unable to afford to rent or purchase an instrument.
Soloist PresentationsFeatured soloists for our symphonic and chamber music programs provide educational presentations in conjunction with their performances with OES. These may include masterclasses presented to students of the OES Youth Orchestra, instrument specific workshops on concerto performance, or visits with public school music program students. Many presentations are produced in collaboration with local school districts and music educator organizations (ie Oregon Music Teachers Association).