The String Sinfonietta Summer Camp is a morning day camp for students 12 years and under who play violin, viola, cello, or double bass. The camp is intended for those students who have prior experience participating in their school’s strings program, have been taking private lessons, or have been participating in the Fayetteville Symphony String Sinfonietta.
Who: Students ages 12 and under with some experience playing violin, viola, cello, or double bass
Where: Berean Baptist Church
When: June 19-23, 2023 from 9am-12pm
Registration Deadline: Registration is now open!
What to Expect
Master Classes with professional Fayetteville Symphony Orchestra musicians
Fiddling
Orchestra and Chamber Ensemble Classes
FUN Music History and Music Theory Class
“Snack Time Concert Series” where the students will have the chance to perform for one another, and be able to hear their teachers perform for them as well!
Final Concert on the last day of the camp – parents are invited to attend!
Instructors
Barbara Shipp
Laurel Wachtler
Barbara Shipp, cellist, performs regularly throughout eastern North Carolina as both a soloist and chamber musician. She holds a Bachelor of Music Education degree from East Carolina University and a Master of Library Science degree from NC Central University. A former orchestra director for Pitt and Cumberland County Schools, she is now a freelance ‘cellist, private instructor of ‘cello, and co-director of Fayetteville Symphony Youth Orchestra and Sinfonietta. Barbara is a member of the Fayetteville Symphony Orchestra, Fayetteville Symphony String Quartet, Carolina Philharmonic, Barton Wilson Symphony Orchestra, Crystal Coast Musicians and Elegant Ensembles. She currently resides in Fayetteville with her son, Ryan, and their many rescued pets.
Laurel Wachtler, violinist, hails from New Mexico, where she graduated with a B.S.degree from New Mexico State University. She has played in numerous orchestras while following her Air Force husband’s career, including Phillips Orchestra and Chamber Orchestra of Southern Maryland where she was principal second violin. Upon arrival in Fayetteville, Laurel began performing with Fayetteville Symphony Orchestra and is in her 25th year. She is a frequent performer with Florence Symphony, Wilmington Symphony, and Carolina Philharmonic. Laurel has been a part of the Snyder Memorial Baptist Church orchestra and The Singing Christmas Tree productions for 13 years. She has maintained an active private studio since 2010 teaching violin and beginning piano. Laurel was the assistant director for FSYO strings and Sinfonietta for four years and has now become the director of Sinfonietta. She is involved with both string youth groups, including summer camps. Outside of music, Laurel’s interests include flying airplanes, scuba diving, hiking, gardening, and singing with The Coventry Carolers. She is also a volunteer tax preparer for AARP’s Tax-Aide program.
The Fayetteville Symphony Music Summer Camps are individualized focused morning and day camps that offer small ensemble playing opportunities, daily group and individualized instruction, and masterclasses/lectures for instrumental students.
This summer we are offering three sessions:
String Sinfonietta Camp is a morning day camp for elementary-aged students (ages 5-12) who play violin, viola, cello, or double bass. This camp will be held June 19-23, 2023 from 9am-12pm at Berean Baptist Church. String Sinfonietta Camp is led by FSO cellist, Mrs. Barbara Shipp, FSO violinist, Mrs. Laurel Wachlter, and Ms. Aubrey Davidson. The cost to attend is $200 per-student. Some scholarships are available. For more information click here.
FSYO String Camp will be held June 12-16, 2023 from 9am-2pm. This camp is led by Ms. Kristin Stiteler, Fayetteville Symphony Youth Orchestra Director and FSO violist. Ms. Stiteler will be joined by other professional FSO musicians to provide a unique learning opportunity for students in attendance. The cost to attend is $300 or $350 with lunch included. Some scholarships are available.
FSYO Band Camp will be held June 19-23, 2023 from 9am-2pm. This camp is led by Mr. Tim Parsons, Fayetteville Symphony Youth Band Director and percussionist. Mr. Parsons will be joined by other professional FSO musicians to provide a unique learning opportunity for students in attendance. The cost to attend is $300 or $350 with lunch included. Some scholarships are available.
“The teachers were funny, good, friendly, and amazing people!”
“I improved my sound A LOT!”
“I learned stuff that I wouldn’t learn in band.”
“The camp went into a lot of topics not covered anywhere else, so as a player, I became better. It was also fun working in chamber groups which provided a different experience for me.”
What to Expect at FSYO Camp
Instruction and coaching with directors and professional musicians of the Fayetteville Symphony Orchestra
Small ensemble playing, to help each individual excel on their instrument while learning to build musicianship by working in a collaborative setting
Group discussions on fundamentals, intonation, technique, repertoire, auditions, and much more!
Culminating concert on the last day of camp
If there are multiple chamber ensembles for a specific camp, placement auditions may be held the first day to determine ensemble placement
Music will be distributed the first day of camp
What to Expect at String Sinfonietta Camp
Master Classes with professional Fayetteville Symphony Orchestra musicians
Fiddling
Orchestra and Chamber Ensemble Classes
FUN Music History and Music Theory Class
“Snack Time Concert Series” where the students will have the chance to perform for one another, and be able to hear their teachers perform for them as well!
Final Concert on the last day of the camp – parents are invited to attend!
FSYO String Instructors
Kristin Stiteler
Barbara Shipp (FSYO & String Sinfonietta)
Laurel Wachtler (FSYO & String Sinfonietta)
Kristin Stiteler is a native of Ohio and began playing the violin in 3rd grade. She has taught both band and orchestra classes at all grade levels for over twenty six years in both Ohio and North Carolina. She received her Bachelor’s Degree in Music Education from The Ohio State University where she studied both violin and jazz saxophone. She also marched bass drum in The Ohio State University Marching Band, holding the distinction of being the first female bass drum player in the history of the band. Miss Stiteler is an accomplished musician on several instruments and has performed regularly with multiple ensembles. She has performed with several symphony orchestras in Ohio, North Carolina, and South Carolina since 1997 and she is currently in her 21st year of playing Viola with the Fayetteville (NC) Symphony Orchestra where she held the position of Principal Violist for several years.
Barbara Shipp, cellist, performs regularly throughout eastern North Carolina as both a soloist and chamber musician. She holds a Bachelor of Music Education degree from East Carolina University and a Master of Library Science degree from NC Central University. A former orchestra director for Pitt and Cumberland County Schools, she is now a freelance ‘cellist, private instructor of ‘cello, and co-director of Fayetteville Symphony Youth Orchestra and Sinfonietta. Barbara is a member of the Fayetteville Symphony Orchestra, Fayetteville Symphony String Quartet, Carolina Philharmonic, Barton Wilson Symphony Orchestra, Crystal Coast Musicians and Elegant Ensembles. She currently resides in Fayetteville with her son, Ryan, and their many rescued pets.
Laurel Wachtler, violinist, hails from New Mexico, where she graduated with a B.S.degree from New Mexico State University. She has played in numerous orchestras while following her Air Force husband’s career, including Phillips Orchestra and Chamber Orchestra of Southern Maryland where she was principal second violin. Upon arrival in Fayetteville, Laurel began performing with Fayetteville Symphony Orchestra and is in her 25th year. She is a frequent performer with Florence Symphony, Wilmington Symphony, and Carolina Philharmonic. Laurel has been a part of the Snyder Memorial Baptist Church orchestra and The Singing Christmas Tree productions for 13 years. She has maintained an active private studio since 2010 teaching violin and beginning piano. Laurel was the assistant director for FSYO strings and Sinfonietta for four years and has now become the director of Sinfonietta. She is involved with both string youth groups, including summer camps. Outside of music, Laurel’s interests include flying airplanes, scuba diving, hiking, gardening, and singing with The Coventry Carolers. She is also a volunteer tax preparer for AARP’s Tax-Aide program.
FSYO Band Instructors
Ronnal Ford, Woodwind Coach
Tim Parsons
A versatile musician, Dr. Ronnal Ford (@RonFordMusic and RonFordMusic.com) currently holds the second oboe and English horn seat in the Fayetteville Symphony and is one of the principal oboists of the Colour of Music Festival. Additionally, he performs with touring groups like Thee Phantom and the Illharmonic and plays in musical theatre companies around North Carolina. The Fayetteville Symphony has also featured him as a soloist on English horn (Aaron Copland’s “Quiet City”) and Alto Saxophone (John Williams’s “Escapades” from Catch Me If You Can), and the Colour of Music Festival has featured as a soloist in the Vivaldi Concerto for 2 Oboes. In addition to his performance duties, Dr. Ford teaches at the University of North Carolina School of the Arts and at North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University.
Timothy Parsons is a graduate from the University of North Carolina at Pembroke where he earned a bachelor degree in Music Education and studied percussion under Wayne Campbell, and Dr Tracy Wiggins. While at UNCP, Tim was a member of the Concert Choir, Pembroke Singers, Concert Band, Wind Ensemble, a founding member of the Spirit of the Carolina’s Marching band, Percussion Ensemble and University Pep Band.
Tim is currently the Director of Bands at Jack Britt High School in Fayetteville, NC. Throughout his teaching career his Concert Bands have received Superior ratings and his students consistently place in the SEDBA All-District Band and North Carolina All State Band. Tim has also served as the conductor for the Southeastern All District Band. Tim currently serves as a music arranger and drill designer for various high school marching bands in North Carolina. His marching band (Jack Britt HS) has won numerous First Place awards and have been named Grand Champions at several marching band competitions across the state. Tim currently lives in Fayetteville NC with his wife Anna, their daughter Elle and their dog Pink.
Jessica Caviness – Violin
Jessica Caviness has been playing violin since she was three years old, when she heard the instrument for the first time and fell in love with it. She studied under Nora Smilovici for the next fifteen years, and played with the symphony orchestra at UNC Charlotte for five seasons, starting at the age of eleven. As a teen, she participated in the Union Symphony Youth Orchestra for two years, serving as concertmaster for one year. She also performed with the Charlotte Symphony Youth Orchestra for one year. During the summers, she attended Cannon Music Camp, the Luby Violin Symposium, and Eastern Music Festival. Jessica holds a Bachelor of Music Degree in Music Performance from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro, where she studied under Dr. Fabián López. During her time in Greensboro, Jessica held a position with the Fayetteville Symphony Orchestra for two years. She also holds a Master of Music Degree from the University of Wyoming, where she served as concertmaster of the UW Symphony Orchestra, and studied under Dr. John Fadial. Jessica enjoys performing as a soloist, as well as performing in ensembles, and she loves playing chamber music. She also enjoys working on original music in her duo with flutist Rachael Lawson, called Jess and Rae. Jessica currently resides near Charlotte, North Carolina, teaching private violin lessons and playing with the Fayetteville Symphony Orchestra. She hopes to continue writing and producing original music and giving solo recitals, with the goal of inspiring her students and her community by sharing her love of music.
Our Story
Founded in 1956, the Fayetteville Symphony Orchestra is a professional, regional orchestra whose mission is to educate, entertain, and inspire the citizens of the Fayetteville, North Carolina region as the leading musical resource. Praised for its artistic excellence, the Symphony leads in the cultural and educational landscape for Fayetteville and our southeastern North Carolina region.
The idea of an orchestra came from a group of instrumentalists playing in local homes who performed music from the greatest composers. They dreamed of the possibility – of playing regularly, sharing their passion, and touching lives. It was in 1956 the Fayetteville Symphony Orchestra debuted with Music Director, Mr. Marion Rogers, a music program leader in the Fayetteville City Schools. Their vision for the Orchestra was to one day become a professional, regional orchestra that serves and educates the community of Fayetteville.
The tradition of playing for young people and in city schools continues today in an effort to foster classical music appreciation. Since its inception the Symphony has had six Music Directors – Mr. Rogers, Dr. Willis Gates, Mr. Harlan Duenow, Mr. Robert Gutter, Dr. Fouad Fakhouri, and currently Dr. Stefan Sanders.
The Symphony is in the community…partnering with the Methodist University, Cape Fear Regional Theatre, Fayetteville State University, surrounding communities, after school programs, head start pre-school programs, and area elementary and high schools. The Symphony also has its own Youth Orchestra (Fayetteville Symphony Youth Orchestra) for rising 8th grade, high school, and college age instrumental students in the southeastern North Carolina region, as well as a week-long Summer Music Camp every June.
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To Educate. To Entertain. To Inspire.
The Fayetteville Symphony Orchestra was founded in 1956 in Fayetteville, North Carolina, and is a professional, regional orchestra whose mission is to educate, entertain, and inspire the citizens of the Fayetteville, North Carolina region as the leading musical resource. Praised for its artistic excellence, the Symphony leads in the cultural and educational landscape for Fayetteville and the southeastern North Carolina region.
The Fayetteville Symphony typically performs 8 concerts during any given season performing both at Methodist University and Fayetteville State University. Partnerships with other agencies include collaborative performances with Cape Fear Regional Theatre, chamber concerts at St. John’s Episcopal Church, as well as the city’s annual Independence concert with fireworks. The Symphony brings music to the schools and the community by performing educational concerts, as well as having its own Fayetteville Symphony Youth Orchestra, after school strings and summer music camps.
This organization is supported in part by a space grant from the BB&T Term Endowment of Cumberland Community Foundation, Inc.
About
The Fayetteville Symphony Orchestra was founded in 1956 in Fayetteville, North Carolina, and is a professional, regional orchestra whose mission is to educate, entertain, and inspire the citizens of the Fayetteville, North Carolina region as the leading musical resource. Praised for its artistic excellence, the Symphony leads in the cultural and educational landscape for Fayetteville and the southeastern North Carolina region.
The Fayetteville Symphony performs 6-8 concerts during any given season performing both at Methodist University and Fayetteville State University. Partnerships with other arts agencies include collaborative performances with Cape Fear Regional Theatre, chamber concerts at Cape Fear Botanical Garden and St. John’s Episcopal Church, as well as a military appreciation concert held over Memorial Day Weekend in collaboration with The Army Ground Forces Band of Ft. Bragg. The Symphony brings music to the schools and the community by performing educational concerts, as well as having its own Fayetteville Symphony Youth Orchestra and Summer Music Camps.
*Please note that we offer a complimentary shuttle service from the Fayetteville Symphony Orchestra office to Seabrook Auditorium for all season concerts including Spooktacular, Holiday Pops, Music of Appalachia, and Bad to the Bones. The shuttle will pick up riders at the Fayetteville Symphony Orchestra office, 310 Green Street, Fayetteville, NC 28301, in the main parking lot at 6:30 pm only. Reservations are not required, and it is free to use!The trolley does not run for chamber concerts.
For more detailed venue information please emailMeghan Woolbright, Marketing & Office Manager.
CHAMBER CONCERTS
St. John’s Episcopal Church
302 Green Street Fayetteville, NC 28301
Right in the center of Downtown Fayetteville, North Carolina, St. John’s Episcopal’s sanctuary provides an intimate experience for patrons to experience classical performances. This venue is wheelchair accessible with specified parking, seating, and an emergency exit. Parking is available at St. John’s Episcopal Church or the FSO parking lot (310 Green Street, Fayetteville, NC 28301). There is also free parking in Downtown Fayetteville on the weekends. For more detailed venue information please emailMeghan Woolbright, Marketing & Office Manager.
Haymount United Methodist Church
1700 Fort Bragg Road, Fayetteville NC 28303
Haymount United Methodist Church is wheelchair accessible with specified parking on site, seating, and an emergency exit. For more detailed venue information please emailMeghan Woolbright, Marketing & Office Manager.
Friendship Missionary Baptist Church
400 Campbell Ave, Fayetteville, NC 28301
Friendship Missionary Baptist Church is wheelchair accessible with specified parking on site, seating, and an emergency exit. For more detailed venue information please emailMeghan Woolbright, Marketing & Office Manager.
The John M. Reeves Fine Arts Complex is a cultural venue for the Fayetteville community, where people of all ages come to enjoy concerts, theatre productions, pageants, lectures, and other special events. This venue is wheelchair accessible with handicapped parking and specified seating. There are several parking lots located near Huff Concert Hall. For more detailed venue information please emailMeghan Woolbright, Marketing & Office Manager.
Tim Parsons – Youth Band Director
Timothy Parsons is a graduate from the University of North Carolina at Pembroke where he earned a bachelor degree in Music Education and studied percussion under Wayne Campbell, and Dr Tracy Wiggins. While at UNCP, Tim was a member of the Concert Choir, Pembroke Singers, Concert Band, Wind Ensemble, a founding member of the Spirit of the Carolina’s Marching band, Percussion Ensemble and University Pep Band.
Tim is currently the Director of Bands at Jack Britt High School in Fayetteville, NC. Throughout his teaching career his Concert Bands have received Superior ratings and his students consistently place in the SEDBA All-District Band and North Carolina All State Band. Tim has also served as the conductor for the Southeastern All District Band. Tim currently serves as a music arranger and drill designer for various high school marching bands in North Carolina. His marching band (Jack Britt HS) has won numerous First Place awards and have been named Grand Champions at several marching band competitions across the state. Tim currently leaves in Fayetteville NC with his wife Anna, their daughter Elle and their dog Pink.
Megan Kenny – Associate Concertmaster
Megan Kenny is Associate Concertmaster of the Fayetteville Symphony Orchestra. A native of Montana, she holds a Master of Music degree in violin performance from the Yale School of Music and a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Notre Dame. Her principal teachers have been Syoko Aki, Carolyn Plummer, and Mary Lamonaca, and she received chamber coachings from Martin Beaver of the Tokyo Quartet while at Yale.
Megan is an active orchestral and chamber musician and before her return to Fayetteville, she performed as a member of the Hawaii Symphony Orchestra. She has worked with conductors such as Leonard Slatkin, Peter Oundjian, JoAnne Falletta, and soloists including Ray Chen, Augustin Hadelich, Lang Lang, David Shifrin and Orli Shaham. As an educator, Megan has held teaching positions at the University of North Carolina Pembroke and Campbell University and is a faculty member of the Red Lodge Music Festival. Megan resides in Fayetteville and is a proud Army spouse to her husband, Ryan, and mother of twins, John and Mary.
Laurel Wachtler – Violin
Laurel Wachtler, violinist, hails from New Mexico, where she graduated with a B.S. degree from New Mexico State University. She has played in numerous orchestras while following her Air Force husband’s career, including Phillips Orchestra and Chamber Orchestra of Southern Maryland where she was principal second violin. Upon arrival in Fayetteville, Laurel began performing with Fayetteville Symphony Orchestra and is in her 25th year. She is a frequent performer with Florence Symphony, Wilmington Symphony, and Carolina Philharmonic. Laurel has been a part of the Snyder Memorial Baptist Church orchestra and The Singing Christmas Tree productions for 13 years. She has maintained an active private studio since 2010 teaching violin and beginning piano.
Laurel was the assistant director for FSYO strings and Sinfonietta for four years and has now become the director of Sinfonietta. She is involved with both string youth groups, including summer camps.
Outside of music, Laurel’s interests include flying airplanes, scuba diving, hiking, gardening, and singing with The Coventry Carolers. She is also a volunteer tax preparer for AARP’s Tax-Aide program.
Board and Staff
Board of Directors
Doug Stephens, Chair
Phillip Hedrick, Vice Chair
Rhonda Haskins, Treasurer
La Tasha Wolokolie, Secretary
Carrie Sacco Callahan | Brenda DePaola | John Turner | Zach Pritchett
The Fayetteville Symphony Youth Orchestra seeks to enhance music education for young musicians in the greater Fayetteville area by providing quality training, ensemble playing experience, and unique performance opportunities.
The FSYO is not just one orchestra; it is a program of five different ensembles that provide orchestral training through weekly rehearsals.
Participating in FSYO allows students to extend their training beyond private lessons and school ensembles to become a team member in an ensemble of many diverse young musicians.
The Fayetteville Symphony Orchestra was founded in 1956 in Fayetteville, North Carolina, and is a professional, regional orchestra whose mission is to educate, entertain, and inspire the citizens of the Fayetteville, North Carolina region as the leading musical resource. Praised for its artistic excellence, the Symphony leads in the cultural and educational landscape for Fayetteville and the southeastern North Carolina region.
The Fayetteville Symphony typically performs 8 concerts during any given season performing both at Methodist University and Fayetteville State University. Partnerships with other agencies include collaborative performances with Cape Fear Regional Theatre, chamber concerts at St. John’s Episcopal Church, as well as the city’s annual Independence concert with fireworks. The Symphony brings music to the schools and the community by performing educational concerts, as well as having its own Fayetteville Symphony Youth Orchestra, after school strings and summer music camps.
This organization is supported in part by a space grant from the BB&T Term Endowment of Cumberland Community Foundation, Inc.
