ORCHESTRA PROJECT
Offering the only symphonic orchestra for youth in Northern New Mexico!
With six dynamic ensembles and two beginner classes, our Orchestra Project gives young string players of all levels a place to grow, shine, and perform. From first-time musicians to advanced symphony members, each student develops skills and confidence through ensemble learning.
Elementary Violin I
Learn the violin for the first time in a friendly and fast-paced environment!
Ages/Experience: Kindergarten to 3rd Grade; no experience needed
Audition: No
Instrument Rental: Provided through Symphony office; based on availability
Cost: $525
Day/Time: Mondays | 4:30-5:15 PM
Location: Carlos Gilbert Elementary
Elementary Violin II
Continue learning the violin while building on the skills you have already learned!
Ages/Experience: 1st to 3rd Grade; at least 1 semester of experience
Audition: No
Instrument Rental: Provided through Symphony office; based on availability
Cost: $525
Day/Time: Tuesdays | 3:45-4:30 PM
Location: Carlos Gilbert Elementary
Elementary Violin Ensemble
An ensemble for beginner violin students who can master concepts quickly, practice regularly at home, and can maintain learning at a fast pace.
Ages/Experience: 1st to 3rd Grade; completed one year of the Symphony’s Elementary Violin program & can play comfortably with left-hand fingers
Audition: No; teacher approval required
Instrument Rental: Provided through Symphony office; based on availability
Cost: $550
Day/Time: Tuesdays | 4:30-5:15 PM
Location: Carlos Gilbert Elementary
Running Start Beginning String Orchestra
An ensemble for older elementary and middle school students who want to learn the violin, viola, cello, or bass for the first time!
Ages/Experience: 4th to 8th Grade; also appropriate for students with some beginner-level experience
Audition: No
Instrument Rental: Provided through Symphony office; based on availability
Cost: $525
Day/Time: Thursdays | 5:30-6:45 PM
Location: Carlos Gilbert Elementary
Prelude String Orchestra
An ensemble for older elementary and middle school students who play violin, viola, cello, and bass.
Ages/Experience: 4th Grade & older; at least 1-3 years playing their instrument – ideal for students who demonstrate correct technique & note-reading skills and are able to practice music independently at home
Audition: Yes; students younger than 4th grade may audition if they have 1-3 years of experience
Cost: $650
Day/Time: Tuesdays | 5:30-7 PM
Location: Carlos Gilbert Elementary
Intermezzo String Orchestra
An ensemble for older elementary and middle school students who play violin, viola, cello, and bass.
Ages/Experience: 5th Grade & older; 3-4 years playing their instrument – ideal for students who are very comfortable and experienced playing with an orchestra, sightreading level-appropriate music, and practicing music independently at home
Audition: Yes; students younger than 5th grade may audition if they have 3-4 years of experience
Cost: $650
Day/Time: TBA
Location: TBA
Youth Philharmonic
An ensemble for middle and high school students who play orchestral instruments in winds, brass, percussion, and strings.
Ages/Experience: 6th Grade & older; at least 3-4 years playing their instrument – ideal for students who are very comfortable and experienced playing with an orchestra, sightreading level-appropriate music, and practicing music independently at home
Audition: Yes; students younger than 6th grade may audition if they have 3-4 years of experience
Cost: $780 – includes all costs of annual ensemble retreat in NM, always a student favorite!
Day/Time: TBA
Location: TBA
Youth Symphony Orchestra
An ensemble for high school students who play orchestral instruments in winds, brass, percussion, and strings.
Ages/Experience: 9th Grade & older; at least 3-4 years playing their instrument – ideal for students who are very comfortable and experienced playing with an orchestra, sightreading level-appropriate music, and practicing music independently at home. Students in this ensemble are expected to perform at a high level and participate successfully in exceptional opportunities, including performing with professional musicians from The Santa Fe Symphony
Audition: Yes; students younger than 9th grade may audition if they have 3-4 years of experience
Instrument Rental: Provided through Symphony office; based on availability
Cost: $800 – includes all costs of annual ensemble retreat in NM, always a student favorite!
Day/Time: TBA
Location: TBA
Meet the Orchestra Project Instructors
Joseph Alcocer
String Specialist
Bio Coming Soon!
Esther Delamater
Elementary Strings
Bio Coming Soon!
Zach Vigus
Running Start Beginning Orchestra & Prelude String Orchestra
Zachary Vigus earned a Bachelor of Music in Cello Performance from the University of California, Santa Barbara and a Master of Music in Cello Performance from California State University in Sacramento. He began private studies after hearing a life-changing performance of the Rachmaninov Cello Sonata’s slow movement. Zach is currently the orchestra director at Capital High School and Ortiz Middle School for the Santa Fe Public Schools, where he enjoys teaching string students from beginners to All-State. As a private studio teacher, Zach’s students have won music scholarships, seats in All-State Orchestras, spots in university music programs, and pre-college spots with prominent conservatory programs.
Lee Harvey
Intermezzo String Orchestra
Lee Harvey is a violinist and music educator based in Santa Fe. She received her classical training from New England Conservatory, Lawrence University Conservatory of Music, and University of Colorado, College of Music. Lee teaches, coaches, and conducts students in private lessons, string orchestras and chamber groups. In the summer of 2019, she brought a group of students to South Korea to participate in a “Global Youth Concert.” Lee hopes to ignite the joy of playing an instrument in all of her students, as she believes that being able to play music together makes the world a better place.
Deanna Teague
Youth Philharmonic Orchestra
Bio Coming Soon!
William Waag
Youth Symphony Orchestra
William Waag is a passionate conductor and music educator in northern New Mexico and has led the Santa Fe Youth Symphony since 2014. He is the Santa Fe Symphony’s Associate Artistic Director of Youth Programs, and is also the Principal Conductor of the Santa Fe Community Orchestra and the Los Alamos Symphony Orchestra. In addition to his roles with local ensembles, William is a frequent guest conductor and clinician across the nation.
As a guest conductor, William has lead the Santa Fe Symphony, the Albuquerque Philharmonic, Seattle Rock Orchestra, Santa Fe Community Orchestra, Los Alamos Symphony, Mobile Symphony Youth Orchestra, El Paso Symphony Youth Orchestra, Albuquerque Youth Symphony, and All-Region Honor Orchestras in Texas, Alabama, and New Mexico.
William has held a variety of conducting and teaching positions at elementary, middle, and high schools, colleges, public and private institutions, and four states across the western United States. He has led wind and jazz ensembles, symphony orchestras, drumlines, classes in music education, music theory, music for students with special needs, and pre-school music. Above all, William’s deepest passion is for conducting youth symphonies and leading young musicians’ exploration of the symphonic world. Previously with youth orchestras in Washington and Alaska, William is elated to be leading both youth and adult symphonies in New Mexico.
William received a MM in Orchestral Conducting from Central Washington University, and a BM in Music Education from Boise State University. Originally from Boise, he lived in Washington state and Alaska before moving to Santa Fe. A Pacific-Northwesterner at heart, William loves exploring and climbing mountains in all seasons and traveling the highways slowly in his 1972 Volkswagen bus.
