Auditions
Why audition? CLICK to hear from our students!
2022-23 is our 50th Anniversary Season!
Special highlights include:
- DCYO and YMO will both perform in the Kimmel Center’s Perelman Theater
- David Kim, concertmaster of the Philadelphia Orchestra, will perform as the soloist in a violin concerto with DCYO
- DCYO will perform the world premiere of a commissioned work by Ke-Chia Chen, faculty member at the Curtis Institute of Music, written in celebration of DCYO’s 50th Anniversary
About us…
The Delaware County Youth Orchestras emphasize the education of our members. We encourage a collaborative, non-competitive atmosphere combined with a spirit of focused and intensive music-making. We keep tuition low to make an unparalleled opportunity to learn from outstanding conductors, guest soloists, and sectional coaches more accessible.
We welcome students from all geographic areas. We anticipate openings for all orchestral instruments.
Delaware County Youth Orchestra
Under the baton of Conductor Andrew Hauze, DCYO is a highly selective ensemble of talented musicians ranging from 7th to 12th grade. This full symphony orchestra provides young people of exceptional ability the opportunity to rehearse and perform major works from the standard symphonic repertoire. DCYO performs three concerts during the academic year.
DCYO rehearsals are held on Tuesday evenings. In addition to regular rehearsals, sectional master classes are coached by professional musicians each trimester. We have a mandatory 2-day retreat in the fall, and a 1-day retreat in the winter. The orchestra performs concerts in the fall, the winter and the spring.
Young Musicians’ Orchestra
For intermediate-level musicians of all ages, we offer YMO, conducted by Nicholas Pignataro. YMO also rehearses weekly and performs two concerts during the academic year. The repertoire consists of standard original classical works and quality high school-level arrangements of classical works. The ensemble performs standard original classical works and quality high-school-level arrangements. The orchestra performs concerts in the fall and in the spring.
YMO rehearsals are held on Thursday evenings from September through May. In addition to regular rehearsals, sectional master classes are coached by professional musicians each semester.
Audition Signup
Our 2022-23 DCYO tuition is $695 and YMO is $495. There is a $50 discount for early registration, and an additional 4% discount for families with two or more students in the orchestras. Need-based financial aid is also available. Please read the DCYO and YMO audition requirements. Auditioning students should review the requirements with their music teachers.
For students interested in joining mid-year, please contact us. Details for auditions for our 2023-24 season will be announced in the spring.
All audition decisions and seating assignments are made solely by the Music Directors.