Primo & Primo Intermezzo

Building skills, confidence, and a love for strings

Primo & Primo Intermezzo

See Us in Action

About Primo & Primo Intermezzo

Primo is EYSO’s entry-level string ensemble for string players (violins, violas, cellos, and basses) in grades 4-8. For many young musicians, this is their first experience in orchestral playing. To facilitate this new experience, Primo musicians focus on studying accessible repertoire, developing facility in sight-reading, advancing their string technique and scales, and learning audition skills. With both string orchestra repertoire and two/three-part pieces, Primo students learn to be independent members of a unified ensemble. An annual side-by-side performance with the Youth Symphony, EYSO’s most advanced ensemble, offers mentorship from older students and shows Prelude musicians what they can work toward.

Primo Intermezzo is a small group of more experienced Primo members selected by invitation. Intermezzo musicians rehearse an additional half-hour in smaller, more exposed repertoire.

Primo & Primo Intermezzo are led by Tracy Dullea.

Repertoire Highlights

Recent repertoire performed by Primo includes settings of:

Johann Sebastian Bach – I. Moderato from Brandenburg Concerto No. 3 in G Major

Aaron Copland – Hoe-down (side-by-side with Youth Symphony)

Engelbert Humperdinck – Evening Prayer

Johann Pachelbel – Canon in D (Primo Intermezzo)

Traditional Brazilian Folk Song – Mama Paquita

Carold Nuñez – M to the Third Power

Schedule Overview

Primo typically rehearses on Sundays, September-May, from 5:30-6:30 pm at Elgin Community College. Primo Intermezzo rehearses from 5:00-5:30. Rehearsal schedules occasionally change to facilitate visits to other ensembles, and other learning opportunities.

Students may miss up to two rehearsals per concert cycle, with special criteria for dress rehearsal absences, without impacting their eligibility to perform.

In addition to weekly rehearsals, students are expected to participate in Fall Camp, prior to the start of the season, as well as Friday evening and/or Saturday dress rehearsals scheduled in advance of each concert.

Primo and Primo Intermezzo typically present three performances each season in the Elgin Community College Arts Center. The 2025-2026 concert schedule is: