About Musica Dolce Youth String Ensemble
Musica Dolce Youth String Ensemble was established in 1995 as an offspring of Musica Dolce, an ensemble of classical musicians from the Westerly, Rhode Island area. Musica Dolce was formed in 1992, under the leadership of Dr. Joseph Ceo. With the guidance of Kathleen Curran Monroe, a private string instructor with extensive backgrounds in both music performance and music education, Musica Dolce Youth String Ensemble took wing. The original group was comprised of seventeen musicians: ten first violins, four second violins, two violas and one cello. The group has grown to consist of nearly sixty local string musicians, ages 7 to 18, from a diverse geographic area, from Wakefield, Rhode Island to Deep River, Connecticut.
Because of the age incongruity and the variable proficiency level of participating musicians, the Youth String Ensemble was divided into three separate ensembles. Each group would allow musicians with similar musical competencies to perform with others of comparable skill levels.
Musica Dolce Festival Strings
This is the introductory level group and serves as a preparatory ensemble. It provides a first exposure for the participating musicians to perform in a small ensemble setting. Students must be at least seven years of age to participate in the Festival Strings.
Musica Dolce Youth String Ensemble
This group is for the more advanced string player and musician ages range from ten to eighteen. Most students have had prior ensemble performance experience.
Musica Dolce Chamber Players
This is the most advanced level ensemble for ages thirteen through eighteen. This is the elite group and they perform the most challenging pieces. The more advanced groups are augmented by the addition of wind players for selected pieces, in order to give these string players the experience of performing in a full orchestra setting.
Concert Series
The concert season is comprised of four concerts. The Holiday Concert is held in early December and features seasonal classics. The Spring Concert features a Pops format and is held in early May. Our most popular performance of the year is our Annual Halloween Concert. The concert is open to the public and free of charge. Over 400 people attend each year. Both performers and audience members attend in costume. It has become a local community and family tradition.
About Our Director
Kathleen Curran Monroe has served as the director of Musica Dolce Youth String Ensemble since its inception in 1995. Kathleen, a Rhode Island native, attended the University of Rhode Island and earned a Bachelors’ Degree in Music Education in 1979. She worked for several years as a String Specialist in the Somerset, MA, School System, before returning to graduate school in the mid-1980’s. She attended New England Conservatory in Boston, MA, and studied cello with David Wells. In 1985, Kathleen earned a Masters’ Degree in Cello Performance from that prestigious institution. Kathleen is the principal cellist with the aforementioned Musica Dolce and was a long-time cellist with the Rhode Island Philharmonic. She has been a String Specialist in a variety of school systems, from Massachusetts to Pennsylvania. Besides directing MDYSE, Kathleen performs with a variety of string ensembles, is a private cello instructor, and is an advocate for the incorporation of String Music Programs into our public school systems. Kathleen is married and the proud mother of three wonderful children.
Mission Statement
Musica Dolce Youth String Ensemble provides a high quality string music performance experience for promising young musicians from Southern Rhode Island and Southeastern Connecticut.
-
✦Rehearsals are held every Monday evening throughout the season for the Musica Dolce Youth String Ensemble & Chamber Players at the Pawcatuck Neighborhood Center, 23 Chase Street, Pawcatuck , CT, just outside downtown Westerly, RI.
-
✦Auditions are held annually prior to the beginning of each new season.
-
✦Tuition is currently $230.00 for the year. Tuition can be paid as a single installment at the beginning of the year, or divided into two equal payments, due at the beginning of each term. There is also a discount rate for a second family member enrolling in our group.
-
✦Scholarships, both full and partial, are available. Contact the director regarding availability of these funds.
-
✦Festival Strings rehearse for two 6 week sessions: (1) October through December; and (2) March through May. Annual tuition for Festival Strings is $130.00.
-
✦Annual Awards Banquet is held at the end of the concert season early in May. Each student receives an award for participation. Senior awards, special achievement awards and scholarships are presented at that time, as well. It always proves to be a very entertaining evening!
Contributions
Musica Dolce Youth String Ensemble is a non-profit organization dedicated to affording children of all ages the opportunity to perform in an ensemble setting.
Please consider a tax-deductible donation to our organization, as it would greatly contribute to the continued success of our program.
-
✦Sostenitore ($5,000 and above)
-
✦Impressario ($1,000-$4,999)
-
✦Maestro ($500-$999)
-
✦Virtuoso ($250-$499)
-
✦Concertmaster ($100-$249)
-
✦Soloist ($50-$99)
-
✦Ensemble Member ($5-$49)
Address questions or correspondence to:
Kathleen C. Monroe, Director
64 Westminster Street, Westerly, RI 02891
(401) 596-5225
