In the Spirit!, our annual holiday concert, takes place on Sunday, December 10, 2023 — 4 pm at Hilldale Lutheran Church.
Live Stream
In the Spirit!, our annual holiday concert, takes place on Sunday, December 10, 2023 — 4 pm at Hilldale Lutheran Church.
Live Stream
Country Ball
Dinner & Dance
Saturday, November 25, 2023 — doors open at 5PM
Chicken—Pasta—Trifle | Cash Bar
Ceilidh Dance live music by TBay Trad
Adult $70 | Student $25 | Child $25
Thunder Bay Symphony Youth Orchestra — Gala fundraiser — Current River Community Centre
It's time for a country ball!
Come enjoy a special night out and support your local arts community. We start with a full banquet, catered by Current River Community Centre, featuring chicken, pasta, trifle, and of course all the accoutrements, accompanied by live performaces from members of the youth orchestra. Our selection of wine and beer will be available at the cash bar throughout the eveing.
After dinner, be thrilled line dancing to Thunder Bay's own TBay Trad, as they fiddle us through the evening. They feature TBSYO alumnus, Lauren Differ Saxberg, and TBay Trad Caller, Michelle Zapf-Bélanger. Enjoy their tradition Celtic and Candian tunes, while Ceilidh Dancing the night away!
Never Ceilidh danced before? No problem—Ceilidh dancing is fun for the whole family! No dance experience necessary—our caller guides you through all the dances, step-by-step. And, no, you don't need to bring a dance partner, just be sure to bring good shoes! Check out this video to get an idea of what's in store.
What should you wear? Well, we aren't the fashion police! But you can see from the video that you can Ceilidh dance in a wide range of options. It's a ball, so if getting dressed to the nines for a night out is your thing, we're here for that. Or if you prefer a more casual vibe, then that works too! But whatever your style, if you want to dance up a storm then good shoes are a must!
All proceeds from this event go to the Thunder Bay Symphony Youth Orchestra.
Dinner — 5:30 pm
Dinner served at 5:30 pm, buffet-style: chicken, meatballs, potatoes, pasta, sides, salad. Coffee, tea, and dessert to finish. Beer and wine available at a cash bar. DIETARY RESTRICTIONS: please email michellezb@gmail.com for dietary accommodations
Dancing — 7:00 pm
Dancing begins 7 pm. Music led by Lauren Differ Saxburg and Tbay Trad. Caller Michelle Zapf-Belanger
Adults $70
Students $35
Children (age 4-12) $25
Children (age 0-3) Free.
On sale until Sunday, November 19, at 11:59 pm.
2023–2024
The Youth Orchestra, directed by Thomas Cosbey, offers a venue for talented young musicians to expand their knowledge, collaborate with their peers, contribute to our cultural community, and build life-long friendships. It is geared at students age twelve to twenty-four. Orchestral instruments include: violin, viola, cello, bass, flute, oboe, clarinet, bassoon, horn, trumpet, trombone, tuba, timpani, percussion, and harp. Students should be working at roughly a Royal Conservatory of Music level five or above.
The Junior Strings, directed by Michelle Zapf-Bélanger offers a first orchestral experience to young violinists, violists, and cellists. Students work on the fundamentals of ensemble playing and etiquette. It is geared at students eight to fourteen who are taking lessons and who have acquired basic music reading skills.
Weekly rehearsals take place at Trinity United Church on Tuesdays from 5:00 to 7:00 pm. Junior Strings meet for only one hour, from 5:00 to 6:00 pm.
Auditions will take place Tuesday, September 19 between 5:00 and 7:00 pm. Please prepare one solo piece and one scale of your choice. Students should contact director Thomas Cosbey to book their five-minute audition time (cell: 807-251-5877). Rehearsals begin on September 26.
Auditions are on Tuesday, September 19.
Fill out this registration form.
Prepare one piece and one scale of your choice.
Contact director, Thomas Cosbey, to book your 5 minute audition time. cell: (807) 251-5877
If it's passed the audition date, it may not be too late! Please contact director, Thomas Cosbey, at (807) 251-5877.
In the Spirit! on Sun, Dec 10 at 5 pm
Grand Finale on Sun, May 5 at 4pm.
The TBSYO is planning an epic side-by-side concert with the TBSO, and other invited youth orchestra members from across Northern Ontario and abroad. The three day event will begin Monday, Feb 26 and culminate in a combined orchestral performance at the Thunder Bay Community Auditorium on Feb 28. An event not to be missed!
Bursaries are available to cover tuition costs for those in financial need.
To apply, please contact Eileen Michels at elmichels@shaw.ca.
Tuesdays from 5:00–7:00 pm (5:00–6:00 for Junior Strings) at Trinity United Church.
Rehearsals begin on Tuesday, September 26, 2023.
We couldn’t keep offering the high quality and affordable programming that we love without the generous support of our patrons. If you are able to support us, donations can be made online, in the mail to the address below, and in person at any TBSYO event. Thank you for helping us do what we do!
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us.
Tom Cosbey, Youth Orchestra Director
Michelle Zapf-Bélanger, Junior Strings Director
The Thunder Bay Symphony Youth Orchestra offers a venue for talented young musicians to expand their knowledge, collaborate with their peers, contribute to our cultural community, and build life-long friendships. It is geared at students age twelve to twenty-four. Orchestral instruments include: violin, viola, cello, bass, flute, oboe, clarinet, bassoon, horn, trumpet, trombone, tuba, timpani, percussion, and harp. Students should be working at roughly a Royal Conservatory level five or above.
The Junior Strings offers a first orchestral experience to young violinists, violists, and cellists. Students work on the fundamentals of ensemble playing and etiquette. It is geared at students eight to fourteen who are taking lessons and who have acquired basic music reading skills.
The Thunder Bay Symphony Youth Orchestra is endevoring to help young students get started on double reed instruments. Through our Oboe and Bassoon Scholars programmes we help young students get started on Oboe and Bassoon by providing instruments and connecting them with private instructors. Students insterested in starting on Oboe or Bassoon should contact us to apply.
This season our annual concert In the Spirit! takes place on Sunday, December 10, 2023 — 4 pm at Hilldale Lutheran Church
Side-by-side concert with the Youth Orchestra and the Thunder Bay Symphony Orchestra performing together at the Thunder Bay community Auditorium.
Our annual concert Grand Finale takes place on Sunday, May 5, 2024 — 4 pm at Hilldale Lutheran Church