ATOS | Summer Youth Adventure

The Summer Youth Adventure

View 2023 Performances

The Summer Youth Adventure (SYA) is a week-long event designed for young theatre organ enthusiasts who are interested in learning, developing, or refining their skills with the theatre organ. During the week, students will attend a variety of instructional sessions, master classes, and open console time designed to improve their theatre organ knowledge and skills. In addition to the invaluable instruction and learning opportunities, students will forge lifelong friendships with other young enthusiasts who share their passion for the theatre organ.

2024 ATOS SUMMER YOUTH ADVENTURE
July 7 - 13, 2024
Portland, Oregon

Instruments:
CLEVELAND HIGH SCHOOL
3/24 Kimball/Wurlitzer
ELSINORE THEATRE
3/24 Wurlitzer
ROBSON RESIDENCE
3/12 Robert Morton
FIRST UNITED METHODIST CHURCH
4/111 Collins Memorial Pipe Organ
OAKS PARK ROLLER RINK
4/18 unenclosed Wurlitzer
PARKER RESIDENCE
Allen Quantum 311
NORDWALL RESIDENCE
Allen Quantum 315

Instructors: Jelani Eddington, Donna Parker, Don Feely, and
Jonas Nordwall, SYA Director

Hotel

Rivers Edge (a Hilton property)
455 S Hamilton Ct
Portland, OR 97239
riversedgehotel.com | 503 - 802 -5800
Special group rate Reservation code: ATOS SYA

TUITION

$379.

SCHOLARSHIPS

Scholarships are available that may cover tuition, transportation and lodging costs. Please contact ATOS Summer Youth Adventure Director Jonas Nordwall at j.nordwall [at] atos.org for more information.

REGISTER

Online Registration

All interested students are welcome to attend. Keyboard/organ playing skills at various levels are necessary.
Registrar: Donna Forsthoffer - dlf2112 [at] gmail.com

The tuition covers all teaching materials, transportation to/from SYA events and venues, and meals (lunch and dinner). Transportation to and from the city where the SYA is located, as well as lodging at the SYA hotel is not included in the tuition. Scholarship assistance is available to help cover tuition as well as travel costs (see “Scholarships” above)
Please click the button below to proceed to our payment system (opens in new window).

LOCATION

ATOS currently sponsors one SYA per year which is typically held in July. The location of the SYA changes from time to time so that the event can be held in many different regions throughout the United States (e.g., East Coast, West Coast, Midwest, etc.). In recent years, the SYA has been held in a geographic region for two consecutive years, and then moved to another geographic region for the subsequent two years. ATOS will try to maximize the regions of the United States where the SYA is held, although the timing and location of any particular SYA will depend on availability of venues.
At each SYA, there is a primary teaching venue where the majority of instructional sessions and master classes take place. Additionally, group field trips are scheduled to visit other noteworthy instruments in the area. During these trips, students will have the opportunity to enjoy open console at the instruments where possible

SCHEDULE

The SYA is normally a five-day event (Monday through Friday). Students should plan to arrive no later than mid-afternoon on the Sunday prior to the event. Typically, there is an optional “meet and greet” party on the Sunday evening prior to the official start of the SYA on Monday morning. Students should plan to depart on the Saturday following the SYA.
All meals for students are provided by ATOS. We need information if there are any dietary restrictions so we can plan accordingly.
On the days the SYA is located at the principal teaching venue, instruction starts promptly at 9:00am. The morning sessions usually run from 9:00am to noon, with instructional sessions lasting approximately 50 minutes followed by a break of 10 minutes. The students have a lunch break from noon until approximately 1:00pm. The afternoon sessions last from 1:00 to 4:00 and are usually dedicated to master classes, group instruction, open console. Frequently, the students visit other local venues during the afternoon sessions.
Dinner is provided from approximately 5:00 to 6:30. Depending on venue availability, additional open console opportunities may be available following dinner. Students typically return to the SYA hotel between 8:00-8:30pm

FACULTY & CURRICULUM

Each year, a core teaching faculty plans and develops the SYA curriculum. The material presented at each SYA changes from year to year, and care is taken to ensure that topics presented are relevant and interesting to students at all levels of study.
The SYA core teaching faculty consists of Jonas Nordwall, Donna Parker, Jelani Eddington, and Don Feely. In addition, the SYA often invites visiting instructors to present topics related to their areas of expertise.

PARENT INFORMATION

Parents of minors are encouraged to attend sessions, if they desire. For the past 17 years most parents have created their own bonding group that has included assisting with meal distribution and other activities.
If space is available, parents can be in vans.
Parents are encouraged to attend the Banquet and Award Ceremony.. Please note that there is a dress code for students for those events.

TRANSPORTATION

TO AND FROM LOCATIONS DURING THE SYA

All travel between official SYA venues and events is provided for students and accompanying parents/guardians during the week in passenger vans.

TO AND FROM THE AIRPORT OR TRAIN STATION (IF APPLICABLE)

Students and accompanying parents/guardians traveling by air or rail should plan to make their own arrangements to get to and from the airport/train station. While the SYA will do its best to accommodate special requests for pick-ups and drop-offs, the SYA cannot guarantee such requests. Any special transportation requests or needs should be brought to the attention of the SYA as soon as possible.