The Cleveland Orchestra Youth Orchestra (COYO) provides serious young middle school and high school music students 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 numbering nearly 110 young musicians. Players are drawn from more than 45 communities in 14 counties across northern Ohio. 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 2^nd 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 and 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 coaching staff.

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 Education Department at (216) 231-7355 ,the Youth Orchestra manager at (216) 231-7352 , or email coyo@clevelandorchestra.com.

When requesting an audition packet, please provide the following:

• Student’s full name & age
• Student’s home address & telephone number
• Student’s instrument

• application form
• two letters of recommendation (private teacher & school music director)
• $20 audition fee (non-refundable)

To schedule an audition, please send application materials to

Applicants are notified by phone and/or by mail 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.

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Created in 1967, The Cleveland Orchestra Children's Chorus consists of young singers currently in grades 5-8. The group regularly participates in the annual Christmas concerts as well as other symphonic works requiring a children's chorus. Under the direction of Ann Usher, the 70 singers maintain a high standard of performance. A number of Children's Chorus graduates have continued their association with The Cleveland Orchestra as members of the Youth Chorus or Youth Orchestra, and a few have returned as adult members of The Cleveland Orchestra Chorus. To audition, call the Cleveland Orchestra Chorus office at (216) 231-7372

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The Cleveland Orchestra Youth Chorus, directed by Betsy Burleigh, began in 1991 under the direction of former Cleveland Orchestra Director of Choruses Gareth Morrell. The Youth Chorus gives vocally talented singers of high school age the opportunity to experience music making at a professional artistic level. Comprised of students in grades 9-12, the Youth Chorus's 100 members represent approximately 47 different communities in northeast Ohio. The Youth Chorus performs works from the standard choral/orchestral repertory with The Cleveland Orchestra Youth Orchestra each year, and, on special occasions, performs with The Cleveland Orchestra. Donald Rosenberg of The Plain Dealer, in his review of a March 1999 concert said, "The Youth Chorus, prepared by Betsy Burleigh and Michael Seredick, sustained lines with utmost freshness of tone and breadth of phrasing." Membership in the Youth Chorus is by audition with the director. Auditions are held in the fall. Please call (216) 231-7372 for further information.

Audition Schedule
Auditions will be held in late September 2003, at Fairmount Temple in Beachwood, Ohio. Those auditioning are asked to prepare one memorized piece from the classical repertoire, which can be sung in any language, including English. An accompanist will be provided for the audition. Sight-reading will also be required. Auditions will be scheduled by appointment only. For an appointment, call the Cleveland Orchestra Chorus office at (216) 231-7374 or (216) 231-7372.

Click here to preview the Youth Concerts.

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