now is your 
chance to take
the stage

Young Artist Orchestra and Philharmonic Fee(s): $225.00

By cash, check or PayPal. Online transactions may incur an additional service charge or fee. You may also pay in installments.

Sinfonia and Intermezzo Fee(s): $100.00

By cash, check or PayPal. Online transactions may incur an additional service charge or fee.

Prelude Fee(s): $75.00

By cash, check or PayPal. Online transactions may incur an additional service charge or fee.

These funds help to defray the many costs associated with providing the exceptional orchestral education experienced by our students. The School District of Greenville County provides support for GCYO by providing our rehearsal space and salary support for our conductors and some of our coaching staff. All other expenses, including our executive director’s salary, concert hall rental, and guest coaching staff are provided by the GCYO Association. Consequently, each year the association has to raise a budget of well over $100,000.00

Participation Fees are payable to the GCYO Association at the beginning of the school year. All fees are due by September 30. We have added the convenience of paying your fee online with PayPal at the Charms website. Please see your Charms instructions to learn how to do that. A small service fee applies to PayPal payments.

Please note that inability to pay the fee due to financial difficulties will not prohibit a student from participating. However, we must insist that you apply for financial aid should the orchestra fee provide a financial hardship for you. Please visit our scholarship page for more information. To “ease the financial burden”, students will be given the opportunity to “earn” their concert fee by selling program ads for our season program booklet. You will be receiving information about this in the weeks ahead.

Covid-19 Response and Updates.

Because we are a program of the school district and use district facilities we must adhere to district policies regarding social distancing, the number of students allowed to meet at one time, mask wearing, cleaning, and if we are even allowed to rehearse.  We were excited to learn recently that we WILL be able to hold in person rehearsals of some kind when the GCSD is having in person learning.

Auditions:

• Students desiring to audition will be asked to submit a recording that includes all the audition requirements currently posted on the web-site. Information on how to submit your recording will be sent out in the next week or so.
• If you have not yet registered for an audition, please do so by going to gcyo.net/students-and-parents/ to review the audition requirements and register.

Rehearsal Plan:

• Music will be made available digitally when we announce audition results and know what the orchestras will look like.
• First rehearsal will be Monday, September 14.
• If we are not able to have full in person rehearsals to start with, conductors will hold 1 or 2 virtual “rehearsals” to give general directions about the music (tempi, bowings, etc.).
• In Person rehearsals: Please note that we will have to be flexible with these, depending on where the district is on the “Return to School Road Map” (attached).
  • If we are on 1- or 2-day physical attendance on the road map, depending on our numbers, rehearsals may be divided by section (i.e.: for Violin I, wk. 2 for Violin II, wk. 3 for cellos, wk. 4 for bass) or by splitting the orchestra in 2 or 3 groups that include all sections.
  • 5 day a week in person will allow us to have full rehearsals – still socially distanced of course.
  • Face masks will be required for all musicians. GCYO will have some available if a student comes to rehearsal without one. We are also working toward purchasing special masks for any wind players that participate.
  • Students enrolled in the GCSD virtual school may still participate in GCYO!

Will all orchestras/ensembles and musicians be able to start in September?

Sadly, no.  Wind and brass instruments, by their nature, are more problematic as we work to minimize the spread of covid.

• Wind Ensemble will most likely not begin rehearsals until January.
• Sinfonia and Philharmonic will be strings only for the first semester.
• YAO will have little to no wind/brass participation.

What if I can’t participate in the fall?

Students may join their GCYO orchestra in January if any of the following apply:

• You are a SCGSAH student  living outside of the Greenville area and virtually learning from home.
• You or your parents are uncomfortable with the prospect of in person rehearsals.

Fees:

• We will be reducing our fees for the 2020-21 season and possibly charging by the semester. The board of directors will be meeting on August 11th to approve a new fee schedule.
• Financial aid will still be offered for those who need it.

Young Artist Orchestra (YAO) –

Our most advanced ensemble, most members are high school aged, though exceptional middle school musicians may be admitted. YAO performs standard orchestral masterworks as well as contemporary compositions.

View YAO Audition Requirements »

The Philharmonic –

An advanced symphony orchestra comprised of middle through high school aged musicians who display considerable talent, training and ability. Repertoire consists of orchestral masterworks, transcriptions and original works composed for student orchestra.

View The Philharmonic Audition Requirements »

Sinfonia –

Sinfonia is an advancing honors strings ensemble with the opportunity to perform Full Orchestra repertoire during the second concert cycle. Members of the Sinfonia Orchestra will experience opportunities to excel in their string performance skills through progressive string literature, including original works and arrangements, ranging from early baroque to new releases from the modern era. Consistent, instrument-specific sectionals with professional string educators, provide supplemental instruction for accelerated skill attainment. Students may audition for the Sinfonia Orchestra in late May or August.

View Sinfonia Audition Requirements »

Wind Ensemble –

The GCYO Wind Ensemble is an exciting, honors performance group featuring wind instrument players and percussionists with 1-3 years of playing experience. Under the direction of Hillcrest Middle School band director Christian Scott, you will be performing exciting literature geared towards the developing wind band. Additionally, members of the Wind Ensemble will have the opportunity to combine with the GCYO Sinfonia strings group in the Spring to perform full orchestra literature for the Finale Concert at the Peace Center. Participating in this ensemble is a fantastic opportunity to perform with other talented musicians outside of school, make new friends, and improve on your instrument!

View Wind Ensemble Audition Requirements »

Intermezzo –

The Intermezzo ensemble is an intermediate, honor string orchestra that is designed to accelerate the second and third year string musician to the next level of orchestral performance. Members of the Intermezzo Orchestra will focus on advancing techniques such as shifting, mature tone and bow stroke development as well as finger patterns for key signatures up to three sharps or flats through contrasting concert repertoire from the baroque to modern eras. Additionally, students will experience consistent sectionals with professional musicians to enhance rehearsal and individual performance techniques. Students may audition for the Intermezzo Orchestra in late May or August.

View Intermezzo Requirements »

Prelude –

Prelude Orchestra is an introductory honor strings-only ensemble that is specifically designed for progressing first and second year string students who want to elevate their fundamental performance skills to the next level. Members of the Prelude Orchestra will explore a variety of orchestral literature that promotes the development of characteristic tone, music literacy, ensemble skills, and performance confidence. Students will audition for the Prelude Orchestra in early January.

View Prelude Requirements »

Due to the uncertainty caused by the pandemic for our 2020-21 season, we have not schedule solo auditions .   You are welcome to submit an application which we will keep on hold.  We will update you as we know more about our season.

General Qualifications for a Solo Position Include:

• Mastery of the solo work performed
• Appropriateness of the work as GCYO or Philharmonic repertoire
• Experience and musical maturity of candidate

Young Artist Orchestra Soloists

• Students must perform an entire movement of their intended work in the audition, and must be accompanied by piano.
• Soloists with YAO perform complete works.
• Competing students must submit a score and a recording of the chosen work (or links to online recording and score) and attain initial repertoire approval in advance of the audition (due with application February 6).
• Up to 3 qualified soloists may be chosen to perform with the Young Artist Orchestra. Up to one soloist will be chosen to perform a multi-movement concerto. Up to two other soloists will be invited to perform shorter selections (12 minutes or less).
• Soloists may be asked to perform a different solo from the one performed at their audition.
• In the event that a soloist is asked to perform an alternate selection, repertoire will be chosen in a joint effort by YAO music director, student soloist, and the student’s teacher.
• Music selection must be approved to be appropriate for the orchestra, the concert program, and the instrumentation of the current ensemble.
• GCYO is under no obligation to fill each potential solo position with a YAO student every year.

Philharmonic Soloists

• Soloists with the Philharmonic perform single movements or single movement works.
• Students must perform an entire movement of their intended work in the audition, and must be accompanied by piano.
• Competing students must submit a score and a recording of the chosen work (or links to online recording and score) and attain tentative repertoire approval by the Director in advance of the audition.
• Up to 2 qualified soloists may be chosen to perform with the Philharmonic.
• GCYO is under no obligation to fill each potential solo position every year.

Additional Information

• Competing students are required to submit audition repertoire for initial approval with their applications.
• The awarding of a solo position is made based upon: (1) Written and numerical evaluations of the judges hearing the audition and (2) Director’s judgement concerning the appropriateness of the work with respect to programming and education.
• In the case where a soloist’s work is not educationally appropriate for an orchestra to perform, that musician and the Director may discuss alternative works.
• A soloist family may be asked to assist (or to help locate a sponsor) if the work to be performed is only available by rental.

Download Application Form

Please fill out our Absence Request Form to submit any know absence.

Raising Musicians: Financial Aid Scholarships

All students should have the opportunity to excel musically! The GCYO Board of Directors has established a scholarship fund to assist families with the high cost of raising a musician. Financial aid awards are made for private lessons, GCYO tuition fees, and summer music programs. Award is based on financial need, the student’s participation in GCYO, and a teacher recommendation.

GCYO Fee Assistance:

Application must be completed by September 15 and/or February 1
To apply for GCYO fee assistance go to Request for GCYO Fee Assistance

Financial Aid for Private Lessons:

This scholarship program is designed to ASSIST parents with the high cost of private lessons. Applicants must apply by September 30th and/or January 30th. Funds will be sent to the teacher or institution providing lessons.

To apply for financial assistance for private lessons go to Private Lesson Assistance

Financial Aid for Summer Studies:

Summer music camps and programs are an important part of a musicians advanced studies. They are also expensive! Application for summer studies assistance must be submitted by May 15th. These funds may also be used to cover private lessons over the summer. Funds will be sent directly to the camp or teacher.

To apply for financial assistance for a summer program go to Request for Summer Studies Scholarship

Scholarship Auditions

The GCYO Association offers two merit based scholarship opportunities for our musicians. Both scholarships are determined by live audition and will take place in the spring of each year. To be eligible to audition you must be in good standing with the orchestra you are currently in, have adhered to the attendance policy of GCYO, and have submitted your application by the publicized date. Auditioning students may not request an audition date other than that publicized, nor can they submit a video or audio audition.

Summer Studies Scholarships:

Summer Studies Scholarships are to be used for summer music programs or private lessons. This is open to all members of GCYO that are in good standing and are returning next year. There will be 2 – 4 scholarships awarded for each orchestra, amount to be determined by GCYO Board.

How to apply: Fill out and submit the application below by April 29, 2019. Applications submitted after the cutoff date will not be accepted!

Audition requirements: Prepare a brief (no more than 5 minute) selection of solo repertoire and perform it for a live audition. Be sure your selection demonstrates musicality and technique. Piece must be for solo performance, no accompaniment.

When: Saturday, May 9, 2020, times TBD at the Fine Arts Center. You will be notified of your audition time Wednesday, May 6th.

Senior Scholarship:

Graduating seniors who will be pursuing a music degree in college may apply for the Senior Scholarship. There will be one scholarship awarded, amount to be determined by GCYO Board.

How to apply: Fill out and submit the application below by Monday, April 29, 2019. Applications submitted after the cutoff date will not be accepted!

Audition requirements: Prepare a brief (3-5 minute) selection of solo repertoire and perform it for a live audition. Be sure your selection demonstrates musicality and technique. Piece must be for solo performance, no accompaniment.

When: Monday, May 13, 2019 beginning at 4:30 at the Fine Arts Center. You will be notified of your audition time by Wednesday, April 11th.

Scholarship Application