Scottsdale Musical Arts

Scottsdale Musical Arts was founded and is operated by several professionally trained instructors. They teach theory, voice, and orchestra, and are absolutely wonderful with the kids. SMA teaches that the experiences created with music help shape who a person is. Several concerts are offered throughout the year, in different parts of the community. Often the concerts are held in partnership with Christian ministeries, and the Lord's influence in the instruction and making our children better is very real. The SMA has also had the opportunity to sing national anthems at sporting events, and has exciting tour plans. All of this helps create new friendship. I think the focus is on creating positive children through positive musical experiences.

My daughter is a member of Scottsdale Youth Orchestra. She has grown as a musician from her experience. Brett Robinson is very nurturing and a wonderful mentor fir the children.

The choir directors are excellent with the children, and are very capable in their musical field. They're very patient and understanding. At times, tho, things (activities or events, etc.) are promised which don't materialize without explanation, so the kids are disappointed. Need to follow thru on things a little more.

I am very impressed with the fine performances of the Scottsdale Musical Arts Orchestra. As a professional musician and businessman, I am very proud to say that they are a part of our Scottsdale musical culture.

I intend to support them financially through regular donations as well as attend as many concerts as I can.

I have met several members of the organization and all of them are vivacious and enthusiastic about their musical vision.

I wish them the very best in every way.

My husband and I are so thankful for Scottsdale Musical Arts in the Valley! We have attended the concerts and have marveled at the talents and diversity of the groups involved. The quality of the SMA directors, Brett and Jennaya Robison, is not to be surpassed. The enthusiasm of the leadership, as well as the musicians, is present in every concert. The music of SMA is bringing culture to the outer metropolitan area, making it very convenient for families to be active as musicians and concert goers without traveling a long distance. We will continue to promote the group whenever we can to many others! Keep the wonderful music flowing!

My daughter is a member of the Scottsdale Children's Choir. She joined over a year ago and has had many wonderful experiences ever since. She has learned a lot and has improved her singing skills. Jennaya and Brett are excellent instructors. Most importantly, she has made many friends and is having fun!

Scottsdale Musical Arts is a great organization that provides learning opportunities for people of all ages. I am a member of the Scottsdale Youth Orchestra and I frequently attend many of the adult orchestra concerts as well. I have met so many wonderful people through this organization and it has made me want to improve my violin skills and learn more about music in general.

I have been playing in the orchestra since the beginning of this year and have also attended some of their concerts. It is such a great opportunity to play in an orchestra outside of school and have had fun in playing numerous different pieces, from Cappricio Espagnol to Jupiter.

My husband and I have attended a number of performances of the Scottsdale Musical Arts. We have found them to be absolutely wonderful. The most recent performance we attended, just the other evening, was a Salute to the Oscars. We perticularly enjoyed listening to the Childrens Chior perform a few numbers.

The Scottsdale Musical Arts is one of the best venues we have encountered since moving to Phoenix 2 years ago.

We look forward to their continued success and attending many more performances.

I am the Principal violist with the Scottsdale Arts Orchestra which is one of the finest new community groups in the Phoenix metropolitan area. I am amazed at the talent of the musicians and the dynamic energy of their two maestros Brett and Jennaya Robison. The Scottsdale Musical Arts organization provides opportunities for both adult and young musicians. This excellent non-profit organization includes not only the Scottsdale Arts Orchestra, but also the Scottsdale Arts Chorale; Scottsdale Youth Orchestra and the Scottsdale Youth Choir. Scottsdale has needed to have these services provided for many years. We are very fortunate that the founders of SMA have created this wonderful arts community in the north east valley. The All American Concert featuring Walter Cosand pianist performing Gershwin's Rhapsody in Blue was so beautiful. He is a wonderful soloist. SMA has also featured ASU graduate student Derek Sanchez as Trumpet soloist on the Haydn Concerto. The Youth Orchestra is performing Jupiter from Holst's Planets at their next concert. The Scottsdale Arts Orchestra just finished our Night at the Oscars concert for senior citizens in Sun City and Scottsdale residents. This concert was packed both nights. The Scottsdale Youth Choir members sang "Over the Rainbow" and a "Harry Potter" song with us. The Scottsdale Arts Chorale and Orchestra will join forces to perform J.S. Bach's mighty St. John's Passion in March. We have also performed the German Masterworks in January. Later in the year we will feature the winners of the Scottsdale Musical Arts Concerto Competition as the grand finale of the season. I do not know how these two directors manage so well with so many groups. They are incredible and dearly loved by all of the musicians and audience members who benefit from their hard work and talents. They need a professional grant writer to help them bring in the funds necessary to continue this wonderful organization. Your contribution of $5,000 will benefit four groups in one. Hence your dollars will have a far greater impact towards the community. Scottsdale Musical Arts is reaches hundreds of new audience members every year. My violin and viola students have gained a great deal of musical experience in the youth orchestra. I have enjoyed working with so many talented musicians including the conductors and solo artists. If you want to be on a winning team then please consider donating to the Scottsdale Musical Arts.

My daughter is in the Scottsdale Training Choir. She is only 6 years old, but she loves to sing, so I signed her up for the choir. Being a member has been a very rewarding experience for her. She has learned a great deal about the basics of music and really enjoys singing all the songs she has learned. She also gets very excited about every concert she has been in and looks forward to years of being a member of this group. Jennaya is a wonderful instructor and cares very much for all of her pupils. She and her husband have tremendous dedication to this endeavor which shows in their hard work with both the choirs and the orchestra.

I am a musician in the Scottsdale Arts Orchestra. The conductor and co-artistic directors select great music that is combined in themed concerts. Our concerts include symphonic works by great composers such as Brahms and Berlioz. Most recently we performed a concert of movie music that included John Williams compositions such as Star Wars, Raiders of the Lost Ark, and Harry Potter. The music is always beautifully performed and graciously conducted. It is truly a joy to play with this group!!

Scottsdale Musical Arts put on a variety of great concert performances this year.

Me and my 10 years old son enjoyed concerts! Simphony did a great job, and kids singing was wonderful. Price for the ticket was very afordable and kids could enter for free. What a great opportunity for us to introduce clasical music to our kids! Please consider The Scottsdale Musical Art organization for the award, they deserve it and they need it.

The board has been working hard to support the ambitious goals of the founders of SMA, and they look forward to years of success bringing musical performance opportunities to communities in the Valley. In less than 2 years of existence, SMA has grown from just a dream into an organization with a semi-professional choir, 2 youth choirs, a semi-professional orchestra. 2 community orchestras, and a youth orchestra. As SMA moves forward, they hope to continue to gain support from the community by growing their volunteer committees and board. This organization has lofty goals and will enrich the lives of many.

Our son is a member of the Scottsdale Youth Orchestra which is a part of the Scottsdale Musical Arts Organization. It has been a great experience for him so far to be a part of a much larger and more balanced musical group than his school band. He has improved in his performance with his bassoon and he also has a better appreciation for music in general.

Brett Robison, the orchestra director, does an awesome job with the kids. He is friendly and easily approachable, but also offers them critique and correction when they need it. He leads them well and is an experienced and very competent conductor. We are glad that our son has had the opportunity to be a part of the Scottsdale Youth Orchestra and recommend it to others whenever we have the chance.

My son has benefited from being involved with SMA by being exposed to a wonderful variety of music. He would not be involved in this way in any other organization. He started by being able to be in a musical by singing in the chorus. This was "Joseph and The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat". He has also had a wonderful oppourtunity to learn more about music with his teachers who are highly experienced. He does have a music class at school and draws from his experience from SMA to help him grow musically. This is a unique organization that I am pleased to have my son a part of.

Scottsdale Musical Arts has ignited my daughter's passion for music, both singing and performing. Last summer the Scottsdale Children's Choir took part in the Broadway Palms Broadway Dinner Theater's performance of "Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat." My daughter loved every minute of that experience. Not only the performances but the practices as well. Interacting with the other performers, both behind and in front of the curtain, has created a strong desire for her to explore using her love and talent in signing in the performing art arena.

She has been a part of the Scottsdale Children's Choir since its inception and with the help and encouragement of Brett & Jennaya Robison, she has learned far beyond what we expected. The quality of instruction and opportunity for performance will continue to shape her future for many years.

It has been refreshing to be a part of Scottsdale Musical Arts and to be affiliated with Brett and Jennaya! They are so passionate about what they do and are driven to create a wonderful cultural and educational experience for all here in the Phoenix Valley!

My son is enrolled in SMA and just loves it! It is so nice for a non-profit organization such as this to exist in our community. Music is such a vital part of the arts and with SMA, it is thriving and getting the word out that Music is very important, and at the same time offering my son who has little experience in music a chance to perform in front of so many different audiences and at so many different venues! My sons' true passion is sports but he has loved being a part of SMA and they have opened his eyes to a whole new world! For SMA to get my ten year old in a tux is truly a miracle and he wouldn't have done it if he wasn't having so much fun!

Thanks SMA! You are a true gift to the community and all of your hard work and devotion is very much appreciated!
Warmly,

Judith carr

Our daughter has been part of the Scottsdale Children's Choir since it first started. She has had the opportunity to perform in a great variety of concerts and even musical theater. The artistic directors are FANTASTIC, true professionals and wonderful people as well. Going to their concerts is such a joy, the orchestra and choral artists are so talented .It is exciting to see people of all ages as part of the same group, all sharing their passion for music and the arts.

Scottsdale is a community that needs its own thriving and musically
rewarding orchestra. Scottsdale Musical Arts organization presents concerts that are well attended. Besides offering an avenue for
instrumentalists to work together to present enjoyable concerts, SMA
fosters young singers an opportunity to develop their voices and perform
chorally. I personally hope that this up-and-coming venue will evolve into a full-fledged community music school by means of its fine leadership
by the Robisons and well-deserved donations and grants.

Music has been a passion of mine since I was a young child. I still remember the day I heard a string quartet play for the 4th grade class at my elementary school. I knew that day that I wanted to learn to play the violin. I was fortunate that music education and opportunities were plentiful as I grew up. From elementary school through college, I was involved with the orchestras at school as well as with outside community groups. I believe that the discipline of music gave me so many benefits as a part of my total education. I had to learn to balance the responsibilities of school and to my practicing.

Because of my positive experience of making music, I have encouraged my two daughters to find an area of music they each enjoy. They both take piano lessons and have recently been introduced to vocal music because of Scottsdale Musical Arts. I feel so fortunate to have found Scottsdale Musical Arts, as both a musician as well as a parent. Through Scottsdale Musical Arts, I have had the opportunity to create music together with my children. It was after one of our joint concerts with the adult orchestra and choir that both of my daughters asked to join the Scottsdale Children’s Choir! They wanted to be able to make music with me.

Scottsdale Musical Arts has given me the opportunity to play with so many talented musicians and to bring great music to my community. I am not a music professional, but I have had the opportunity to play with those that are. It also gave my daughters the amazing experience to be a part of a professional musical production last summer that was life changing for them. They are learning so much about the dedication and skills needed to sing in a choir. We are so blessed for the direction of Brett and Jennaya Robison as they lead the many music groups that make up the Scottsdale Musical Arts. They have provided so many amazing musical opportunities for the adults and children that belong to the organization as well as to the many families that have been touched by the music that we have shared with them!

My 6 year old son is a little shy and timid. Being in the Scottsdale Training Choir (for 1st through 3rd grade) has increased his confidence. He has a great voice and is getting experience being on stage and performing. We love the program and what these young kids are learning about music. Singing is a talent / skill that can be used throughout one's life - anytime, anywhere. The program is very inexpensive and can use all the charitable funds possible to keep it alive and affordable for all. The conducters are passionate and dedicated to their jobs.

My daughter is in the Scottsdale Youth Orchestra. I wasn't sure what to expect, although I assumed it would be different than the school orchestras she has been part of. I'm happy to say, as my star rating shows, SYO has exceeded my expectations. I have been so impressed with Brett Robison as conductor. He sets the bar high, but he is both firm and fair, and his professionalism has taken a group of students ranging from beginners to more experienced players and enabled them to play has a coherent whole. Together with Jennaya Robison, who is equally impressive in her work with the children's choirs, they have formed a fantastic "school" for music. The adult orchestras are professional and enjoyable to listen to. The Robisons have created a truly valuable asset for the community. I feel that my daughter is fortunate indeed to be a participant.

My son joined the Scottsdale Children's Choir of of the Scottsdale Musical Arts organization in December of 2010. He really enjoys the program. As a parent, I am very impressed with the quality of the musical instruction that is provided. The variety of the musical selections is amazing. The staff is very nice and I am very pleased with the organization skills. The website and communication is exceptional.

SMA provides a unique opportunity for musicians of all ages in the valley to engage with classical music. Its multiple youth and adult choruses and orchestras interact with one another and its audiences in a way that even the professional musical organizations in the Phoenix area do not. This provides a wonderful educational environment for youth, a performance setting for adults unmatched by any other group in the valley, and an incredibly rich concert experience for audience members. The fact that it is a brand new (2nd season) organization run single-handedly by volunteers simply adds to its potential. The talent and hard work shown by its music directors and commitment of its board are testaments to how much this organization could accomplish with more funding and support.

I love Scottsdale Musical Art's mission. They reach the public through such a wide variety of groups (orchestra, children's choir, etc.) and through a wide varity of programs. For example, they've done both the traditional Messiah and a concert featuring movie music, which helps bring music to less traditional symphony listeners.

My family and I attended the Messiah Sing-In in December and thoroughly enjoyed it. We were moved by the music and look forward to attending future concerts.

Scottsdale Musical Arts provides the community with an affordable way to enjoy amazing music.

Scottsdale Musical Arts is a terrific asset to the Phoenix community. Not only does it provide a first-rate symphonic orchestra and chorus, but it includes a wonderful youth orchestra and children's choir to train our classical performers of the future. SMA has two wonderful conductors who are dynamic, caring, inspirational, dedicated, and knowledgeable. SMA has a music theory instructor and voice class instructor for members of the youth orchestra and children's choir. SMA holds Phoenix-wide competitions for young instrumentalists and singers, and gives the winners opportunities to perform in concerts with SMA adult groups. In summary, I believe SMA is a fabulous non-profit cultural organization, really the best of its kind in Arizona, giving performance and training opportunities for many adults and youth throughout the region. In only its second year, and yet continually improving in quality and scope, SMS indeed has a bright future.

I was so impressed with the German Masters concert, and especially the Haydn trumpet concerto. This is a very fine orchestra, and I understand the trumpet soloist in the Haydn is a principal trumpet in the orchestra. What a great gift to the Scottsdale community, to have such dedicated musicians playing locally for a great low price! I can't wait until the next concert.

-- Steve

Scottsdale Musical Arts is an organization that brings together a large number or amateur, semi-professional, and professional musicians to perform many of the great classical masterpieces together. It provides an excellent learning environment and musical outlet for the musicians, as well as enjoyable arts performances for music lovers in the greater Phoenix area.

Several years ago, Brett Robison was an associate with the Tucson Arizona Boys Chorus in Tucson, AZ. I have since then kept in touch with him because of the amazing influence he had on my son, then a member of the TABC (now a graduate). Therefore, when I received word of the formation of the Scottsdale Musical Arts I got in touch with Mr. and Mrs. Robison and am going to continue to be a supporter as a volunteer and as a fundraiser. When my son graduated from the Tucson Arizona Boys Chorus, several years after Mr. Robison had moved on, we all agreed that we would want Mr. Robison to attend the boys' graduation. He drove all the way from Scottsdale, attended the ceremony, and returned that same night. That is a leader who leads by example. I believe in SMA and even from Tucson will work hard for their continuing success!

I have attended numerous performances of each of the musical groups that make up the Scottsdale Musical Arts. I am constantly impressed with the talents of all of them. I appreciate the culture that the Scottsdale Musical Arts brings to our community and am grateful for the opportunities that it gives to our children to foster and develop their musical talents.

Scottsdale Musical Arts as an organization brings a high level of musicianship to the Valley raising the standard.
Young people can go to their easily accesible concerts and be inspired.
Adults can go be entertained by quality professionals and be thankful that live classical music exists in the NE valley.
Great entertainmemt without guns, violence, swearing, political rhetoric, or tattoos!

By volunteering I could help to promote this organization which provides residents with an opportunity to hear professional level, outstanding and progressive music and arts. The musical venues provide a variety from classical to jazz, choral to orchestral. Refreshing and talented group led by committed and passionate co-artistic directors.

I enjoy performing with the Scottsdale Arts Orchestra. The artistry offered by the musicians is paramount and the programming is challenging and fulfilling for the musician and enjoyable for the audience.

It is also clear that Brett and Jennaya's passion for developing the future of classical music is unquenchable, and I admire their resolve to affect the musical arts in the Valley. I truly believe they have already made a difference in the lives of the Valley's children and will continue to do so throughout the years.

The Scottsdale Musical Arts is a fantastic place for professionals, semi-professionals, advanced-amateurs, kids who have studied voice and/or a musical instrument, and kids who are just getting into the craft and love of music to get together to perform at the highest level in the Phoenix area. As a singer with SMA we have performed in a variety of styles, disciplines, and languages to further expand the culture and musical arts scene in the Phoenix/Scottsdale metropolitan area. The quality of music produced by the SMA orchestra is second-to-none nationwide. The outreach program for the children's choirs and orchestras are a great way for kids to learn how to play with each other in an orchestral or choral setting instead of just through recitals.

Scottsdale Musical Arts is an umbrella organization for the Scottsdale Youth Orchestra, the Scottsdale Youth Choir, the Scottsdale Arts Orchestra, the Scottsdale Baroque Orchestra and the Fine Arts String Orchestra. It does an outstanding job of reaching the classical-music-loving community both with audience and performers.

They keep their standards high, their operating costs to a minimum and provide professional quality music to our community. SMA increases the quality of life for all Scottsdale residents and really all residents in the entire Phoenix metro area.

It is a pleasure to perform with them as a violinist in both the Scottsdale Arts Orchestra and the Fine Arts String Orchestra.

My children are members of the Scottsdale Youth Orchestra. With reduced funding for the arts in the public school system, Scottsdale Musical Arts fulfills an ever-growing need within our community for musical education all the way through 12th grade. The multi-aged format of the orchestra has allowed the older students to become leaders and mentors to the younger students, while the interaction with members of the adult orchestra has provided them with role models for further musical ventures. This has been a great experience for my children!