Has playing a stringed instrument brought you and/or your child unimaginable satisfaction? Are you looking for other opportunities beyond the classroom where your child can stretch and grow as a musician? There are considerable options across our area for aspiring young musicians to broaden their experience with like-minded peers by participating in youth orchestras and ensembles. Most require auditions which
typically involve sight reading, a variety of scales, excerpts, and/or a solo of choice. Some accept applicants as young as 8 years old with at least one semester or one year of private lessons.
Spartanburg Philharmonic Youth Orchestra (SPYO) has several opportunities for young
musicians in the Upstate of South Carolina to grow as an artist. Dr. Susana Lalama, Symphony Conductor in her article Learning Together, Growing Together for the Spartanburg Philharmonic magazine Hear Here says, “The students are eager to learn new music and grow as musicians together.” She goes on to say, “The future is bright for the Spartanburg Philharmonic Youth Orchestra!”1
Dr. Lalama is also the director of the Petrie School of Music at Converse College. Visit spartanburgyouthorchestra.org/ to learn more.
Carolina Youth Symphony (CYS) members are from both Carolinas and are a large group of talented and dedicated young musicians. As “one of the only youth orchestras in the country to be able to continue rehearsing and performing as a full orchestral ensemble” 2 CYS, with the help of committed and determined parents, worked creatively to see that their blossoming musicians reached their fullest potential during the pandemic. Having done such, “on April 21, 2019, the Carolina Youth Symphony returned to Carnegie Hall for an incredible 7th performance and …return(ed) on April 23, 2023.” 2 For more information on joining the Carolina Youth Symphony go to carolinayouthsymphony.org/contact-us/.
Greenville County Youth Orchestra (GCYO) offers a variety of options for young musicians, (including beginners with measurable talent) comprising of six ensembles. With a focus on education, students work on repertoire intended to build needed performance skills.3 Financial assistance is available for those who qualify for private lessons or summer programs. Contact GCYO to see how your child can qualify by calling 864-355-3040, emailing at info@gcyo.net or visiting their website at gcyo.net .
South Carolina Philharmonic Youth Orchestra (SCPYO) has auditions in the spring and the fall. SCPYO “support(s) music education in South Carolina through collaboration with local music educators, school music programs and arts organizations.” 4 With membership open to musicians as young as young as 8 years old, your child can “grow” musically as he or she does physically. If you would like to learn more go to scphilharmonic.com/youth-orchestra/.
South Carolina Music Educators Association (SCMEA) has a variety of enrichment
opportunities throughout the state and is divided into five regions. To find your region go to scmea.net/divisions/orchestra-division/region-orchestra/region-breakdown/. To see what is available in your area visit scmea.net/divisions/orchestra-division/region-
orchestra/. For further information call 864-596-9172.
South Carolina American String Teacher’s Association (SC-ASTA) is gearing up for its
annual cello choir: Cellobration 2023 which will take place September 15-16. This year it will be hosted by Furman University in Greenville, SC. This is a great opportunity for cellists of all ages from near-beginners to professionals are welcomed to participate. Find out how you can participate, by visiting furman.edu/academics/music/camps-conferences/cellobration/ for more information including fees, early registration, itinerary and more. SC-ASTA also has other events throughout the year. Opportunities for this fall are Region 2 auditions, a Double Bass workshop, as well as Solo & Ensemble. Winter and spring offer a Violin & Viola Choir, another Solo & Ensemble, and Honor Orchestra. If you would like more information or to register for these events check out sites.google.com/greenvilleschools.us/scasta/home.
As you can see, there are an assortment of youth orchestra and ensemble opportunities you and your child can explore for musical enrichment within our area. Not only will your child be able to use the skills he or she has already acquired to develop their musicianship, but they will also be introduced to performance skills as well. If any of these opportunities are of interest, consider contacting your student’s teacher for more information as they may have additional details and can make suggestions based on your son or daughter’s abilities.
1. issuu.com/spomusic/docs/spartanburg_philharmonic_-_hearhere__spring_2021__
2. carolinayouthsymphony.org/about-us/our-history/
3. gcyo.net/
4. scphilharmonic.com/youth-orchestra/about/staff/
