The West Valley Youth Orchestra
An excellent choice for talented young musicians to improve their musicianship
Our Mission: The West Valley Youth Orchestra Programs offer young talented musicians an opportunity to join their peers for intensive orchestra training and performances in order to increase their music playing ability.
Support Our Mission: The West Valley Youth Orchestra is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization. You can make a tax-deductable charitable contribution by sending a check to The West Valley Youth Orchestra, Box 206, Litchfield Park, AZ 85340, or by using a debit or credit card below.
Chamber Music Summer Camp The West Valley Youth Orchestra will host a Chamber Music Summer Camp with Quartet Sabaku from June 10 to June 14, 2013 from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm at Desert Springs Community Church, 14440 W Indian School Rd., Goodyear AZ 85395. The members of the professional string quartet, Quartet Sabaku, will coach the students. There will be a public performance showcasing the camp ensembles, orchestra, and Quartet Sabaku.on Friday, June 14 at 7:00 at PebbleCreek's Renaissance Theater, 15745 W Clubhouse Dr, Goodyear, AZ 85338. Tickets will be $5 and can be purchased at the door. Children under 10 are free.
About Us The West Valley Youth Orchestra is a non-profit organization offering beginning and advanced music training through two ensembles: The Cadet Strings, comprised of beginning string players at a Suzuki Book 2 or equivalent level, and the Youth Orchestra, for string players at Suzuki Book 4 level and above and advanced wind players.
Rehearsals are Mondays: WVYO 6:15 - 8:30 pm and Cadets 6:15 - 7:30 pm, at Wigwam Creek Middle School, 4510 N. 127th Ave. Litchfield Park, AZ 85340
WVYO Musical Director and Conductor Claire Gordon
Mrs.Gordon, a native of Phoenix, graduated Summa Cum Laude from ASU with a Bachelor's degree in Music Education in 1983. Mrs. Gordon taught strings in the Washington Elementary School District for 15 years. Currently, she maintains a large private studio of violin, viola, and piano students.
Mrs. Gordon has been conductor of West Valley Youth Orchestra since 1997. She has served as an adjudicator for various music festivals and has conducted honor orchestras in the Washington and Scottsdale school districts. She was selected to be the conductor of the 2001 Arizona Elementary All-State Orchestra, the 2006 Peoria School District String Festival, and the 2008 Arizona Jr-High All-State Orchestra.
Mrs. Gordon plays Principal Second Violin in the West Valley Symphony, and is an active free-lance violinist throughout the valley.
Cadet Conductor Jacob Boyd
Mr. Boyd graduated from Grand Canyon University with a Bachelor’s degree in Music Education in 2003. A native of the Phoenix area, he has been teaching orchestra in the Peoria Unified School District for 8 years. He is also an alumni of the Phoenix Symphony Guild Youth Orchestra and the Phoenix Boys’ Choir.
Through the support of parents and a few grants, he started the “Violins for All” program at two of his elementary schools. This gave every fourth grader exposure to music through the violin during regular classroom time. Additionally, Mr. Boyd is currently piloting the first Electric Orchestra program in the district at Sunrise Mountain High School. He hopes this will give his students the opportunity to explore the modern side of classical instruments.
Mr. Boyd started playing violin when he was 4 years old. Switching to cello a few years later, he developed a love for string instruments and is an active free-lance cellist in his church and community.
