ENDANGERED INSTRUMENTS

The mission of this program is to recruit students and teachers, obtain instruments, subsidize private lessons, and encourage existing school band programs to teach "selected neglected" instruments.

Existing band programs do not use the wide variety of instruments that an orchestra needs. The EIP goal is to acquire instruments though donation or purchases, supply interested students with the instruments, and encourage students to switch to or add the "selected neglected" instruments listed below. To be eligible, a students must be proficient on his/her original instrument, and be enrolled in a String Orchestra (SO), Symphonic Band, a Jazz Ensemble, or the Youth Symphony Orchestra (YSO). Exceptions are made for beginning bass students. Students may apply for scholarships to subsidize their private lessons and tuition in an appropriate ensemble for the new instrument.

The SFYS has provided violas for both YSO and SO students for several years, and is now expanding to other instruments. If you have an instrument that is not in use in your home, please consider donating it to the SFYSA. All instruments will be utilized, and the donation is tax-deductible.

The "Endangered Instruments" available for this season include bassoon, trombone, bass trombone, string bass, viola, and bass clarinet. Members of all Santa Fe Youth Symphony Association ensembles may apply for the program with the recommendation of their private teacher and the conductor of their ensemble. These instruments are available on a first-come, first-serve basis to qualified applicants.

Those students who participated in the EIP last season must re-apply for their endangered instrument and financial aid each season. The deadline for application is September 30 each season. Applications will be available at rehearsals, or call the SFYSA office to request one. Quarterly evaluations by the private teacher will help determine if the student is taking full advantage of the opportunity, or whether another more dedicated student would be better served by the program. Some instruments have a waiting list.