MERIDIAN SYMPHONY
YOUTH ORCHESTRA
2023/2024 MSYO
SEASON UPDATE
Due to unforeseen circumstances, the Meridian Symphony Youth Orchestra has been paused for the 2023-24 school year. We hope to see you again for the 2024-25 season.
If you have been practicing the youth orchestra audition material, please consider scheduling an audition for the Meridian Symphony Orchestra on Monday, August 21 (you do not need to learn new audition material).
More information on MSO auditions may be found under the “Auditions” tab on this website.
ABOUT
Our goal is to provide young musicians from the Treasure Valley with the opportunity to participate in full orchestra rehearsals and concerts, while being mentored by members of the Meridian Symphony.
We hope to educate and inspire young musicians through exceptional ensemble training and performance opportunities, while helping to grow the school orchestra and band program in the school districts in the Treasure Valley.
The Meridian Symphony Youth Orchestra is open to students grades 8-12 and begins rehearsals in September.
REHEARSALS
Schedule and location for upcoming seasons to be announced.
Please complete this form if you need to miss a rehearsal or performance
ARTISTIC DIRECTORS
Jill Green is a violinist, starting at the age of 10, and a string teacher of 15 years. She loves working with youth and recently moved to Idaho from Nevada, where she
was very involved in music education. She has worked with several middle school and high school orchestras, taught at district workshops, and taught string education camps. Jill most recently worked as an Upper Strings Parapro at Clark High School in Las Vegas, Nevada, for four years. She is currently attending Boise State University to get her Music Education Certificate for Idaho
and hopes to have her own orchestra classroom soon!
Greg Felton has been teaching music since 1984. He currently teaches Elementary Music for the West Ada School District. He was Director of Bands at Meridian High School from 2003-2013. He completed his undergraduate work at the University of Idaho and at the University of Wisconsin – Madison. He received his bachelor’s degree in 1984 from the University of Idaho, continued with graduate work at Boise State University, and received his master’s degree from the University of Idaho. Prior to his employment in the West Ada School District, Mr. Felton worked for the Vancouver School District in Vancouver, WA where he was on the faculty of the Vancouver School of Arts and Academics, Hudson’s Bay High School, and City University. While in Vancouver he was the conductor of the Vancouver Youth Symphony. Mr. Felton is a member of the Board of Directors for the West Ada Education Association and the Board of Directors for the Idaho Education Association. He has been an instructor for the West Ada New Teacher Institute. He is a board member for the Center for Teaching and Learning. Mr. Felton is a Microsoft Innovative Educator, and Community Influencer.
Greg Hotrum began playing trombone when he was 9 years old. After graduating from Idaho State University with a Bachelor’s Degree in trombone performance, he was given an assistantship at the University of New Mexico. While studying at UNM, he performed with New York Philharmonic trombonist Joe Alessi, and continued his performance career by spending a summer performing in Disneyland. After graduation, he was principal trombonist in the summer Masterworks Performing Artists Festival in Ohio, following by teaching Trombone, Trumpet, History of Electronic Music and Orchestral Repertoire at Sias School of Music in China. By his fourth year in China, he was the assistant conductor of the Sias Symphony Orchestra and teaching conducting to over 60 students.
After more than ten years in China, Greg has returned to Idaho. He is currently studying Law at the University of Idaho, but still finds time to sub in various performing groups in the Treasure Valley.