Youth Orchestra
Youth Chorus
Children's Chorus

Youth Orchestra

The Cleveland Orchestra Youth Orchestra (COYO) provides serious young music students of middle-high school age with a unique pre-professional orchestral training experience. Youth Orchestra members are coached regularly by Cleveland Orchestra musicians. A member of The Cleveland Orchestra conducting staff serves as the COYO music director, and rehearsals and concerts take place in historic Severance Hall. Youth Orchestra members also have opportunities to meet and work with guest artists and conductors appearing with The Cleveland Orchestra.

The Cleveland Orchestra Youth Orchestra is a full symphonic ensemble comprised of 105 young musicians. Players are drawn from more than 50 communities in 11 counties across northern Ohio and Pennsylvania. The Youth Orchestra presents three concerts annually in Severance Hall and three or more “outreach” performances in the greater Cleveland area. COYO performs annually with the Cleveland Orchestra Youth Chorus, providing students of both ensembles experience with a broader repertoire. COYO members also perform in much anticipated side-by-side concerts with The Cleveland Orchestra. In June 1998 COYO was one of only five U.S. youth orchestras selected to participate in the 2nd National Youth Orchestra Festival sponsored by the American Symphony Orchestra League. In March 2001, at the invitation of Carnegie Hall’s Education Director, COYO appeared on their "Family Concert" series.

Membership & Audition Information

Membership is by audition only. Auditions are open to all middle-high school students who study privately and are prepared to make a commitment to an ambitious schedule of rehearsals and performances. Auditions generally take place at Severance Hall in May. Auditions are about 10 minutes in length and are heard by the Youth Orchestra music director and members of The Cleveland Orchestra.

An audition application and requirements list can be downloaded by clicking the links below. To receive audition materials by mail (brochure, application and orchestral excerpts), please contact the Youth Orchestra manager at (216) 231-7352, or email coyo@clevelandorchestra.com.
Please note: 2008 application deadline extended to April 30, 2008.

When requesting an audition packet, please provide the following:

• Student's full name & current grade level
• Student's home address & telephone number
• Student's instrument

• Application form
• Two letters of recommendation (private teacher & school music director)
• $25 audition fee (non-refundable)

To schedule an audition, please send application materials to

Auditions
Cleveland Orchestra Youth Orchestra
Severance Hall
11001 Euclid Avenue
Cleveland, OH 44106-1796

Applicants are notified by mail and/or email of their audition date/time.

For additional information about the Cleveland Orchestra Youth Orchestra, please contact Youth Orchestra manager at (216) 231-7352 or email coyo@clevelandorchestra.com.

Click here to preview the Youth Orchestra Concerts

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