San Juan Symphony Youth Orchestras

About Our Orchestras

Returning MemberS

New Member AuditionS

Meet Our Conductors

A stage is full of youth orchestra members playing their instruments
a young boy with blond hair plays french horn

What We Believe

The Mission of the San Juan Symphony Youth Orchestras (SJSYO) is to provide an inspiring orchestral experience for the youth of Durango, Bayfield, Farmington, Aztec, Pagosa Springs, Cortez, and surrounding areas. The SJSYO is the only youth symphony organization in the Four Corners region, and its members receive an exceptional educational experience under the guidance of the region’s finest performers and educators. The two-tiered orchestral system serves woodwind, brass, percussion and string students ranging from grades 5 through College.

About Our Orchestras

Do you love band or orchestra and want to make more music? Are you interested in taking your musicianship to the next level by playing new styles of music? If so, join us by auditioning for the San Juan Symphony Youth Orchestras!

SJS Youth Orchestra
Molly Jensen, Music Director

DURANGO:
Tuesdays 6:30-8:30pm
Fort Lewis College- Jones Hall

 

NEW FARMINGTON:
Thursdays 6:30-8:30pm
Farmington High School

 

The Youth Orchestra (YO) is an advanced, full symphonic orchestra comprised of 50-70 talented and dedicated string, woodwind, brass and percussion players from across the Four Corners area. Youth Orchestra students have the opportunity to advance and hone their skills while performing a variety of orchestral repertoire, as well as works by contemporary composers.

Tuition: $125/semester

Junior Orchestra

DURANGO:
Tuesdays 5:30-7:00pm
Fort Lewis College- Jones Hall
Sam Post, Conductor

 

FARMINGTON:
Thursdays 5:30-7:00pm
Farmington High School
Chris Argotsinger, Conductor

 

The Junior Orchestra (JO) is an intermediate, full symphonic orchestra which provides exposure to orchestral training for 40-60 string, woodwind, brass and percussion players from across the Four Corners area. The Junior Orchestra performs exciting symphonic literature, while focusing on developing a united symphonic sound and developing more advanced technical skills.

Tuition: $125/semester

New Member Audition Information

Auditions may be scheduled in person or by video submission throughout the year.

 

Email: [email protected]

Please prepare the following audition materials:

Youth Orchestra Strings, Woodwinds and Brass

  • Two (2) major scales of student’s choice
    • Scales played slowly in single quarter notes at metronome marking = 72
    • String players to play 3 octaves, if possible
  • Solo, etude or excerpts of the student’s choice, showing a variety of your playing abilities (limit solo to 2-3 minutes). Strings should demonstrate ability to perform in multiple positions.

Junior Orchestra Strings, Woodwinds and Brass

  • One (1) major scale of student’s choice
    • Scale played slowly in single quarter notes at metronome marking = 72
    • String players to play 2 octaves, if possible
  • Solo, etude or excerpts of the student’s choice, showing a variety of your playing abilities (limit solo to 2-3 minutes).

All Percussion

  • Solo, etude or excerpts of the student’s choice on snare and mallet (keyboard) instrument, showing a variety of your playing abilities (limit solos to 2-3 minutes total).
    • If no mallet instrument is available, leave out the mallet solo
  • Snare roll from pp < ff > pp (very soft to very loud to very soft)
  • Optional: hand cymbals crash, triangle strike, and/or snare rudiments of your choice

Still Have Questions? Contact Us!

Molly Jensen
SJS Youth Orchestra Music Director

[email protected]

 

Returning Member Registration

Returning members are not required to re-audition. Please submit the form below to demonstrate your interest in returning for the 2024-2025 season. We look forward to seeing you again!

Name(Required)
Email(Required)

Meet Our Conductors!

molly jensen headshot

Molly Jensen, Music Director

San Juan Symphony Youth Orchestras

Molly Jensen has been named the next Music Director of the SJS Youth Orchestra program after many seasons as conductor of the Junior Orchestra in Durango and Farmington. Ms. Jensen’s passion for teaching young musicians has included conducting the Junior Division orchestras of the Youth Orchestra of Bucks County, Pennsylvania; teaching public and private school music in New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Colorado; running a private lesson studio with an emphasis in Suzuki private and group instruction, and adjudicating festivals and conducting festival orchestras in New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Colorado.
As a violinist, Ms. Jensen has performed as an orchestra and chamber musician in Colorado, Philadelphia, New Jersey, New York, and Kansas City, performing most recently with the San Juan Symphony, Apollon Chamber Music Company, Class Act Music, Trenton Symphony, Delaware Valley Symphony, Bucks County Symphony, and Ocean City Symphony.

Ms. Jensen received her bachelor’s degree in Violin Performance and Music Education from Temple University in Philadelphia, where she studied with Helen Kwalwasser. Her Master’s degree in Music Education is from the University of Colorado, Boulder where she studied violin with Lina Bahn and conducting with Gary Lewis. Ms. Jensen is Executive Director of the Apollon Chamber Music Company and Co-director of the Durango Chamber Music Academy. She is also a recipient of the Max Aronoff Award for Excellence in Performing and Teaching and is Editor-in-Chief at MusicalMountainMama.com.

Sam Post, Conductor

SJS Junior Orchestra, Durango

Sam is a dedicated educator with a record of leadership, innovation and student success. For the last six years, Ms. Post has been living, teaching, and making music in Durango. Outside of her work in public education, Ms. Post maintains an active role in the community. She is a passionate advocate for wellness as an aerial circus artist and fitness enthusiast. Colleagues and students alike appreciate her motivational spirit and dedication to personal growth.

Ms. Post started, and still teaches, at Miller Middle School, where they have helped shape the musical talents and passions of countless young people. Under their guidance, Miller’s band program has flourished, nurturing students’ creativity and instilling a lifelong appreciation for the arts. This past year, Ms. Post has led the program to steadily increasing numbers after being diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in July 2023.

With her accomplished record of molding young minds and uplifting those around her, Ms. Sam brings out the best in her students and herself through serious dedication and passion for music education.

Chris Argotsinger, Conductor

SJS Junior Orchestra, Farmington

Christopher Argotsinger is an experienced music educator currently beginning his 19th year in education. During his time in the classroom, he has taught students in grades 6-12 as well as community groups in Farmington, New Mexico. While most of his experience is teaching band, he has also taught orchestra, guitar, and music theory.

A proud native Coloradan, Chris and his four siblings were influenced by their educator parents to participate in music from an early age. Chris began piano lessons at the age of 8 and quickly began playing the trombone, emulating his band director father.

After graduating high school he went on to the University of Northern Colorado where he studied with Dr. Richard Mayne and Dr. Kenneth Singleton in ensembles and conducting classes. This included two years as a Drum Major of the Pride of the Rockies Marching Band. He also studied Trombone with Dr. Nat Wickham, graduating with a Bachelor of Music Education in 2006.

Chris went on to teach two years in Colorado Springs before accepting the Director of Bands position at Farmington High School and Tibbetts Middle School in Farmington. In 2016, he completed his Master of Arts in Band Conducting from the American Band College through Sam Houston State University. There he received conducting guidance from many renowned conductors including Dr. Peter Boonshaft, Dr. Anthony Maiello, and Dr. Ray Cramer.

In 2020 Chris stepped away from the classroom and moved into administration as an Assistant Principal at Farmington High School. In 2023 he moved to the Principal position at Tibbetts Middle School, where he is currently employed. Chris plays 2nd Trombone with the San Juan Symphony, loves to fly fish, and enjoys relaxing in Farmington with his wife Laura and dog Lyla.

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