Youth
Orchestra



Professional musical instruction, coaching and performance opportunities are available to elementary, middle, and high school music students in the community through a partnership with the Southwest Florida Symphony and The Heights Center MOSAIC program. MOSAIC is the acronym meaning Musical Opportunities Supporting the Arts in Our Community and it’s the only program of its kind to offer a full symphony orchestra experience to students. As students grow and become more accomplished at their chosen instrument they advance to the MOSAIC intermediate level orchestra which is conducted by Katrina Rozmus.
The advanced level orchestra, requiring an audition, is conducted by Roland Forti. Select students may also be privately coached and participate in youth ensembles performing at various public events during the concert season. Support of the Youth Orchestra and MOSAIC program at The Heights is a far-reaching gift for students.
YOUTH ORCHESTRA FORMS AND APPLICATIONS
2023 Auditions
Application Deadline August 18, 2023
Auditions August 26, 2023
2024 Auditions TBA
New Members
Click to fill out the Youth Orchestra AUDITION REGISTRATION FORM
Click to fill out the MOSAIC (formerly Sinfonietta) AUDITION REGISTRATION FORM
Returning Members
Click to fill out the RETURNING YO Students Registration Form
Click to fill out the RETURNING MOSAIC Students Registration Form
Information
Click for AUDITION DETAILS
Click to download our SEASON REHEARSAL & CONCERT CALENDAR
Click to view our HEIGHTS CENTER REHEARSAL LOCATION MAP
Click to fill out the NEED-BASED TUITION SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATION
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Katrina Rozmus,
MOSAIC Conductor
Katrina Rozmus is a violinist/violist who resides in Southwest Florida. She has a bachelor’s and master’s degree in violin performance mainly under the tutelage of Andres Cardenes, the former concertmaster of the Pittsburgh Symphony. Ms. Rozmus spent a few years in Mexico as the assistant concertmaster of the Yucatan Symphony and principal second of the Sinaloa Symphony Orchestra. While in Sinaloa, she also taught lessons and music theory at a private middle/high school. After returning to the states, Ms. Rozmus became the strings director/music department head at the Cypress Lake Center for the Arts (2010-2014). In June 2016, Ms. Rozmus led the Saint Augustine Music Festival Chamber Orchestra as concertmaster. Currently she plays as a contracted per service violinist with the Naples Philharmonic, subs with the Sarasota Orchestra, coaches a string quartet of the Southwest Florida Youth Orchestra, and is an area instructor for violin and viola held in high regard.
Roland forti,
Youth Orchestra Conductor
Roland Forti earned his bachelor’s degree in Music Education and Music Performance from the Bower School of Music at Florida Gulf Coast University. While at FGCU, he studied with Judy Evans and Patrick Neal, taught Pre-kindergarten violin instruction with MusicScores! in underserved schools, and was the founder and past president of the FGCU student chapter of ASTA. In 2020, Mr. Forti earned his master’s degree from the University of North Carolina Greensboro. During his time at UNCG, he studied with Dr. Rebecca MacLeod and Margorie Bagley, received a full UNCG Assistantship, taught at Peck and Cone Elementary Schools, and served as director of the Peck Alumni Leadership Program. Mr. Forti is currently the orchestra & chorus director at Oakridge Middle School, conductor of the Naples Summer Music Camp, and the Florida All-State Orchestra Chair.
Summer Orchestra Camp
The Southwest Florida Symphony is pleased to be offering an intensive, two-week summer orchestra camp in mid-July for intermediate and advanced-level string, woodwind, brass, and percussion players. Students will be divided into intermediate and advanced groups, with an opportunity to also join together each day. Our goal is to provide quality symphonic training and performance experience for young musicians in the Lee County area in a fast-paced, fun and safe environment.
The schedule includes two orchestras, four varied rehearsals, daily guest clinicians, masterclasses, and a combined orchestra final concert! Students bring their own bag lunches each day (refrigerator available), or purchase a boxed lunch provided daily from an area restaurant. Cost is $350 per week and limited partial scholarships available (request through application).
Application will be available on our website in the spring. Audition requirements include a conductor or teacher recommendation, one year ensemble experience, and a 3-minute prepared video audition.
Thank You to our Youth Orchestra Chair Sponsors!
Roland forti
Youth Orchestra Conductor
Richard Prescott & DJ Arnold
Katrina Rozmus
MOSAIC Conductor
Alexandra & Eunice Bremner
Violin Section Sponsor
Michael & Monica Thomas
Viola Section Sponsor
Fort Myers Women’s Community Club
Cello Section Sponsor
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Hannah Cho
String Coach
Liz Marnul
Isaac Hernández
Percussion Coach
Liz Marnul
Bill Larsen
Woodwind Coach
Liz Marnul
Please contact the symphony office to sponsor the Youth Orchestra (239) 418-0996.
The Mission of the Southwest Florida Symphony is to perform outstanding orchestral music for the enrichment, entertainment and education of the broadest possible public. Fulfilling this mission is only possible through the generosity of our supporters. Visit our CONTRIBUTE page to learn more about how your gift can make a difference in the cultural landscape of our community and beyond.