Hoosier Youth Philharmonic
The combined orchestras of Bloomington
High School North and Bloomington High School South
The
orchestra program of the Bloomington schools dates back to the early part of
the last century, with archives indicating participation in the Indiana State
Music contests as early as the 1920s. The famous Indiana educator and musician,
Newell Long, was at one time the director of the orchestra. Bloomington High
School South (BHSS) assumed the history and heritage of Bloomington High School
when the new high school, Bloomington High School North (BHSN) opened in the
fall of 1971. BHSN was built as a result of the school consolidation in 1968
which formed the Monroe County Community School Corporation. Unionville High
School, Smithville High School, and University High School were incorporated
into the new BHSN.
In
1980 Ms. Jane Gouker became the orchestra director at BHSS. In 1982 she also
became the director of the BHSN orchestra. The unique scheduling of the same
director for both high schools created new opportunities. The orchestras could
be combined on a regular basis to create a larger, more complete ensemble. In
1986, the combined BHSN and BHSS orchestra traveled to St. Louis, Missouri, to
compete in the Gateway Music Festival. It was a very successful venture,
musically, educationally, and socially. A new tradition had been born! From
then on, the orchestra students committed to the hard work and dedication it
would require to ensure a yearly competitive tour. It became awkward to enter
the contests as "The Bloomington High School North and Bloomington High
School South Orchestra," so the orchestra executive councils held a contest
to name the group. Hoosier Youth Philharmonic was the winning entry. It
couldn't be more perfect for it describes where we are from, who we are, and
what we do!
Each
of these three orchestras (BHSN Orchestra, BHSS Orchestra, and the Hoosier
Youth Philharmonic) has its own history and traditions. The walls of the
orchestra rooms at BHSN and BHSS are filled with plaques and awards for
superior ratings the groups have earned, group and individual pictures, group
and individual awards, and plaques, banners and pennants of festivals attended
as the Hoosier Youth Philharmonic (HYP). Each school orchestra performs at its
own school's open house, the ISSMA organizational contest, elementary school
tour, graduation, and various other school functions. Student volunteers perform
in a variety of special ensembles such as the Fourth Street Festival of the
Arts and Crafts, Chili Supper, Lotus Festival, school receptions, String Spring
Fling, and the MCCSC Retirement Reception. As the Hoosier Youth Philharmonic,
students from both schools perform together for the Fall Concert, Night of
Dance Concert, Holiday Concert, String Spectacular, HYP/BSO Concert, Night of Musical Celebration, and
the annual competitive tour. Each student must earn the credits and the money
for the tour each year. It is an amazing goal, and is never taken for granted.
This wonderful ensemble is the best of young people today.
The HYP is perhaps best described as a family. While North and
South students regularly compete in sports and academics, the orchestra students
from these two schools perform, work and play together. Alumni and their
parents regularly return to support the program that was their
"family." These students support each other, and represent their own
schools, the HYP, and the Bloomington community in an exemplary fashion. The
students of the Hoosier Youth Philharmonic are always "a cut above."