who we are
Welcome to Greenville County Youth Orchestras
Thanks for your interest in Greenville County Youth Orchestras. GCYO has been educating young musicians in the greater Greenville area for more than 50 years. In the 2025 season the Young Artist Orchestra takes historic trip to perform at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Arts. We are also growing our ensembles. The Prelude ensemble will now function as a year long program with a performance at the Peace Center at the end of the year.
GCYO is a partner with the Greenville County School District (GCS). The district provides GCYO meaningful financial support and rehearsal space. To help coordinate with our brass and woodwind students in the district who take part in Band, students who are accepted into our ensembles will be eased into our schedule to allow participation in both their school programs and GCYO rehearsals. Bradley Wingate is the GCS Director of Visual and Performing Arts for the district.
GCYO also partners with the Greenville Symphony for the annual Shoulder-to-Shoulder concert. Their professional players play alongside the students in Philharmonic and YAO.
GCYO Ensembles rehearse at League Academy, Sevier Middle and the Fine Arts Center. The Fine Arts Center under the direction of Vee Popat is the official home of GCYO.
Each year GCYO Performs at the Peace Center and other performance locations across the Upstate. Additionally every conductor is assisted by at least one coach in each rehearsal. Philharmonic and Young Artist Orchestra has coaching sessions each month with professional musicians in small groups (Sectionals).
2025-2026 Annual Tuition:
Young Artist Orchestra: $300
The Philharmonic: $275
Sinfonia: $175
Intermezzo: $150
Prelude: $125
GCYO ensembles rehearse on Mondays following the Greenville County Schools Calendar and Holidays
Prelude: 5:30 – 6:45 Fine Arts Center – Winds Room
Intermezzo: 5:00 – 6:30 League Academy
Sinfonia: 4:45 – 6:15 Sevier Middle
Philharmonic: 4:45 – 6:15 Fine Arts Center- Recital Hall
Young Artist Orchestra: 6:30 – 9:00 Fine Arts Center- Recital Hall
Current Concert Schedule:
FAQ:
Common Questions and Answers
What age does my child have to be to audition for GCYO?
GCYO is for any K-12 student. Students can audition for any ensemble if they meet the playing requirements. Typically the grade range for our ensembles is as follows: Prelude (4-6), Intermezzo (5-8), Sinfonia (7-10), Philharmonic (9-11), YAO (10-12)
Does my student graduate on to the next ensemble at the end of each year?
No, a student must audition each year if they would like to play in a higher ensemble.
Does my student have to audition each year for the same ensemble?
No, once accepted into the ensemble, your child does not have to re-audition. You will need to re-enroll them each year by June 1.
Can my student “skip” ensembles, say jump from Sinfonia to YAO?
Yes, students may audition for any ensemble.
What if my instrument is not listed in the audition materials?
Reach out to the conductor of the ensemble you are interested in auditioning for.
Are scholarships available?
Yes, visit the scholarship page.
What happens if I don’t get accepted into the ensemble I auditioned for?
Good question! The audition judges will make a recommendation for the next best ensemble.
I don’t see Wind Symphony as an option anymore. If I play a wind or brass instrument which ensemble should I audition for?
Students should audition for The Philharmonic or The Young Artist Orchestra.
I play percussion, what orchestra do I audition for?
Audition for either The Philharmonic or Young Artist Orchestra.
What if I audition and don’t make it?
If you auditioned for YAO (for example) and did not make it, you will stay in the orchestra you are currently in. If you are new to GCYO you will be recommended to the appropriate ensemble and usually be given specific areas to improve in order to be admitted.
Can I also play in my school band.
Yes, during band season only, those students enrolled in band after school may come to the second half of their rehearsals. Note that complete tuition will still be due. This arrangement is more likely to work with the YAO schedule since they rehearse later. After band season, students are expected to join for the complete rehearsal.
What does YAO mean?
Young Artist Orchestra
Questions not answered above?
Email david.kiser@gcyo.net
Video Submission Instructions for virtual auditions
- Record an unedited/uninterrupted video of the audition materials in the order they are listed (the exception is Percussion auditions)
- Cell phone is fine
- Player/instrument must be in clear view.
- Upload to YouTube as an unlisted link. Submit your link in the application
- In the video title include student’s full name, ensemble auditioning for and instrument
Audition Requirements by Ensemble:
Young Artist Orchestra: requirements
Philharmonic Orchestra: requirements
Sinfonia: requirements
Intermezzo: requirements
Prelude: requirements
Application fee:
$25
Deadline:
May 18
Notice of Acceptance:
Early June
Staff:
David Kiser, Executive Director, david.kiser@gcyo.net
Marie Pearce, Administrative Assistant, marie@gcyo.net
Grace Jackson, Librarian
Dr. Gary Robinson, Interim Conductor for YAO and Philharmonic
Charis Burger, Sinfonia Conductor, cburger@greenville.k12.sc.us
Elizabeth Conrad, Intermezzo Co-Conductor, econrad@greenville.k12.sc.us
Patrick Murch, Intermezzo Co-Conductor, pmurch@greenville.k12.sc.us
Kathleen Robinson, Prelude Co-Conductor,
Jeff Purcell, Sinfonia Coach
Katelynn Lowe, Prelude Coach
Seth Russell, YAO Cello Coach
Braxton Ballew, YAO Bass Coach
Savannah York, YAO Viola Coach
Jackie Tso, YAO 1st Violin Coach
Leslie Warlick, YAO 2nd Violin Coach
Lauren Vaughn, YAO Woodwinds Coach
Ways to connect with us:
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Website: https://gcyo.net/
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Student and Parent Website: https://gcyo.jumbula.com/
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Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@GCYOSC
our orchestras
The Young Artists Orchestra The Young Artist Orchestra, our most advanced ensemble, is comprised of the most skilled, talented, and experienced student musicians in the Upstate. It is also the Orchestra-In-Residence at Greenville’s Fine Arts Center. YAO enrolls public, private, and home-schooled students from Greenville and beyond. Though most members are high school-aged, the YAO will also admit exceptional middle school musicians.
Members of YAO receive a near-professional orchestra experience. Repertoire includes standard orchestral masterworks as well as contemporary compositions. Most performances take place at the Peace Center for Performing Arts where students experience performing in a professional venue. Every year YAO is joined by professional musicians from the Greenville Symphony for a “Shoulder-to-Shoulder” concert.
YAO rehearsals are held on Mondays from 6:30 pm – 9:00 pm at the Fine Arts Center.
- High School Students
- Orchestral Repertoire Grade V-VI
- Skilled String Players
- Skilled Winds & Brass Players
- Attend Private Lessons
The Philharmonic The Philharmonic is an advanced symphony orchestra comprised of middle and high school-aged musicians who display considerable talent, training and ability. “The Phil” performs in at least 3 concerts each year, mostly at the Peace Center. The repertoire consists of orchestral masterworks, transcriptions, and original works composed for student orchestra.
“The Phil” enrolls public, private, and home-schooled students from Greenville and beyond. They rehearse each Monday at the Fine Arts Center from 4:45 pm until 6:15 pm.
- Middle through High School Students
- Orchestral Repertoire Grade IV-V
- Skilled String Players
- Skilled Winds & Brass Players
- Have Attended Private Lessons
The Sinfonia Sinfonia, is an intermediate-level honors ensemble which rehearses and performs as a strings only ensemble during the first half of the school year. Woodwind, brass, and percussion students will semester to form a full symphony orchestra.
Rehearsals are held on Mondays from 4:45 pm – 6:30 pm at Sevier Middle School.
The Intermezzo Intermezzo focuses on string technique, developing independent rhythmic skills, and building maturity of sound. This ensemble will perform in the Fall Concert held in October and the Spring Orchestras concert held at the Peace Center. Intermezzo rehearses at League Academy on Mondays from 5:00 – 6:30.
The Prelude Prelude is an advanced-beginner honors ensemble under the direction of Kathleen Robinson. They meet on Monday afternoons at the Fine Arts Center from 5:30 to 6:45 pm. They perform each year at the Peace Center in the “big” Spring Orchestras concert.
meet the gcyo
team
Meet the incredible people who organize and inspire our amazing artists.
