Youth Orchestra Ensembles

Ages 13-19
Comprised of outstanding players whose technical level is highly advanced, who show strong musicality and musicianship and who are capable of the discipline necessary to perform at the highest level. This ensemble is dedicated to performing the finest works in the full symphonic repertoire. In addition to the full orchestra rehearsals the students will work in sectionals with professional coaches who are among the finest performers and teachers in the area. Weekly rehearsals during the school year are carried out under professional standards. Members are expected to take private lessons and maintain leadership responsibilities in their school ensembles.

Rehearses Mondays 5:15-7:45 pm

Ages 11-18
A full orchestra ensemble consisting of middle and high school students with more than 3 years of experience and the maturity to participate in a full orchestra. All students demonstrate solid technique. String students are developing extended positions. Repertoire includes many standard masterworks expertly arranged for educational ensembles, as well as many original compositions and popular music straight from the movies. Basic technique and artistic vocabulary is reinforced during sectional rehearsals with professional coaches who are among the finest performers and teachers in the area. Youth Symphony provides an opportunity to continue developing the ensemble skills needed to advance to standard symphonic literature.

Rehearses Mondays 5:15-7:45 pm

Ages 11-15
Made up of talented wind and percussion students with 1 to 3 years of experience. Rehearsals concentrate on performance standards, tone production, precision, musicality, individual and group style, and practice habits. Similar to a weekly honor band, this ensemble provides experience with literature, preparation, and performance that the students can take to their own band programs and exposes students to literature that they may not play in their school programs.

Rehearses Mondays 5:15-7:45 pm

Ages 10-17
Designed for intermediate to advanced string students with 3 or more years of experience. This ensemble focuses on cross-listening between sections, blend and balance, expressing various styles of music, and pursuing detailed, mature music making. Members demonstrate advanced shifting and bowing technique and are introduced to challenging string literature.

Rehearses Saturdays 9-11:30 am

Ages 10-17
Composed of students who have progressed to the intermediate level of performance on their instrument. Students will solidify and further develop the first and third positions through performance of repertoire. Having mastered the basic skills level (generally after three years of instruction), the focus is on developing proper tone quality, mastering bow techniques, refining ensemble skills, and the exploration of different musical style periods.

Rehearses Saturdays 9-11:30 am

Ages 8-14
Designed for students who have had limited orchestral experience (2 to 3 years) and who are working on mastering their reading ability. All students should have basic note-reading skills, including the ability to identify pitch names and play various rhythms using whole, half, quarter and eighth notes. Students should be comfortable playing in first position the keys of G and D. This ensemble builds solid, fundamental rhythmic and orchestral skills including improved sight-reading abilities, expanding first position and starting third position.

Rehearses Saturdays 9-11:30 am

Ages 8-14
Designed to introduce string students to the fundamentals of ensemble playing. Students must have 1 year of experience or completed our Summer Music Camp. All students are beginning note readers and can demonstrate a good foundation in playing technique. The emphasis in rehearsal will be establishing good posture, technique, sound production, rehearsal discipline, rhythmic and note reading skills as well as understanding harmony in ensemble music.

Rehearses Saturdays 9-11:30 am

Participation in the Sarasota Youth Orchestra Program is designed to enhance, not replace, school music instruction. School music programs provide essential daily ensemble and rehearsal instruction required for serious musical progress. Students who enroll in the Sarasota Youth Orchestra Program are required to participate in their school orchestra/band if one exists.

The Sarasota Orchestra believes that school music programs are vital to the development of young musicians – educationally, artistically and socially. By participating in school music programs, young musicians can serve as role models, receive leadership training and share their talents with others. School programs also provide other important opportunities such as access to All-State Band/Orchestras, Solo and Ensemble Assessments and performing in school productions.

When extenuating circumstances prevail which may prohibit or make a students’ participation difficult in their school music program, a student may petition the Sarasota Orchestra for an exemption. To do so, a letter of explanation must be submitted with the Youth Orchestra application. The exemption request will be forwarded to the appropriate band/orchestra director for review and response. In cases when the exemption is not approved by the educator, the request will be reviewed by the Youth Orchestra Enrollment Review Panel. The panel will consist of a school music educator, an Orchestra administrator and a non-partisan youth orchestra parent. It will be the responsibility of the panel to make a determination as to the feasibility of the request and provide a binding recommendation.

For more information or questions, contact the
Sarasota Orchestra Education Department at (941) 487-2731.