Lyricwood Cadets

The Lyricwood Cadets is a training orchestra program directed by Esther Meador in Mitchell, South Dakota. Since Mitchell does not have an orchestra program in the local schools, the Lyricwood Cadets functions as the feeder program for the Lyricwood Orchestra, based at Dakota Wesleyan University.

Purpose

The purpose of the group is to provide local students an opportunity to develop group playing skills and an introduction to the orchestra world. The program is open to local string players of fourth grade through adult who are currently receiving private instruction on their instrument.

Requirements

While the group is open to most levels, it is required that students be able to read and count written music at a level roughly equivalent to their playing level. Other requirements are minimal and can be met quite quickly with private lessons and sufficient practice. As stated above, private lessons are required.

Progression

Students who progress past the level of the Cadets move on to join the Lyricwood Orchestra. Invitations to join Lyricwood are extended by Lyricwood’s conductor, Dr Amundson, and director, Professor Soladay. The invitation is issued when a student displays readiness for the move in their playing and leadership skills, as well as a personal maturity suited to the increased demand of longer and more in depth rehearsals. Recommendations are made by the teacher and visiting instructors.

Schedule

During a typical season (approximately September-April), The Lyricwood Cadets group performs five times.

-October, Lyricwood concert

-November, Cadets concert

-Christmas Caroling (optional)

-February, Lyricwood concert

-April, cadets concert

A more beginning student (1st or 2nd year Cadet) would perform twice, in November and April. All levels of experience are welcome to participate in instrumental Christmas caroling.

Each concert cycle consists of around 6-7 weekly rehearsals and culminates in a concert. Caroling is a shorter cycle, with 2 rehearsals and an afternoon of performing.

Attendance

Orchestra and band are perhaps the largest team “sports”, in the sense that each individual’s level of preparedness impacts the sound and performance of the entire group. It is therefore expected that students will regularly attend the rehearsals, arriving reasonably on time with their music and instrument. Although scheduling conflicts are inevitable, parents are asked to keep them to a minimum. Students who have missed more than two rehearsals in a cycle may be asked not to play that concert.

Concerts are mandatory. If a student must miss a concert due to an unavoidable conflict, the director must be informed as far in advance as possible, and the student may be given permission to skip the entire concert cycle.

Covid note:

Due to Covid-19, this year of cadets has been anything but normal! However, it looks likely that next season will see a return to in person concerts. We are thrilled to have this aspect of group playing returned to us, and are looking forward to great things!

Please be advised that with the return of normal concert cycles, our requirements concerning attendance and participation will also be returning.

We are looking forward to a great 2021-2022 season!

Questions?