Illinois Arts Council Sponsors Elizabeth Ricketts
as Artist In Residence for SVYS

The residency between Elizabeth Ricketts  (Principal second violinist for the Illinois Symphony) and the Sangamon Valley Youth Symphony for 2004-05 was a great success.  The residency benefited all of the students of SVYS (156 members strong).  Mrs. Ricketts worked with all four SVYS ensembles; Starter Strings, Preparatory Orchestra, Concert Orchestra and Symphony Orchestra.

Having a string expert play for string students allowed them to have a model for sound and technique.  This is imperative at all levels of playing ability from the beginning to advanced student.  Mrs. Ricketts worked with our starter strings students as well as many Sr. High school aged advanced students with equal ease and technical knowledge. Working with small groups from the ensemble allowed players to focus on specifics that are impossible to attain in a large group rehearsal. Richard Haglund, the SVYS music director selected passages of music that were difficult for the youth and with the resident artist came up with ways to facilitate the execution of the composers wish.

The SVYS appreciates the Illinois Arts Council and Mrs. Ricketts for their contributions to our students' achievements.