now is your 
chance to take
the stage

Auditions for our 2023-24 ensembles will take place

Friday, June 2nd and Saturday, June 3rd.

Application Due May 18, Click Here

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.

View Sinfonia 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.

View Intermezzo Requirements »

Orchestra Prep and 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 after they have completed the fall Orchestra Prep ensemble. In Spring there will be an internal audition for Prelude. Students who are not accepted into Prelude may continue in the Orchestra Prep ensemble.

View Orchestra Prep Requirements »

View and download the 2022-23 GCYO Handbook here HANDBOOK

Our new handbook has all the details you need regarding attendance policies, what to do if you will be absent, fees, scholarships, drop off and pick up procedures, etc..  Be sure and fill out and turn in the forms found at the back of the handbook.

2022 – 23  Rehearsal locations and times, all on Monday

• Prelude:  5:00 – 6:15 League Academy
• Intermezzo:  5:00 – 6:30 Wade Hampton High School
• Sinfonia:  4:45 – 6:30 Wade Hampton High School
• Philharmonic:  4:45 – 6:15  Fine Arts Center
• Wind Symphony: 5:00 – 6:30 Wade Hampton High School
• YAO: 6:30 – 9:00 Fine Arts Center

2022-23 Fees:

All fees are payable by cash, check or PayPal.  Online transactions may incur an additional service charge or fee.  You may also pay in installments.

Annual fees:

Young Artist Orchestra and Philharmonic Fee(s): $250

Wind Symphony, Sinfonia and Intermezzo Fee(s): $125

Wind Symphony Spring Semester only: $75

Prelude Fee(s): $50 per semester

GCYO is currently taking solo applications for performance with the YAO at the May 6, 2022 Gunter Theatre concert.

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

• Time line:
  • •  Application is due November 7 
    • Video recording link of your audition emailed to info@gcyo.net by December 5.
• Soloists will be asked to limit their chosen repertoire to a single movement of a concerto or a shorter (12 minutes or less) selection.
• Students must perform the entire movement or work in audition, accompanied by piano.
• Students must submit a score and a recording of the chosen work (or links to online recording and score).
• One qualified soloist may be chosen to perform with the Young Artist Orchestra at the May Gunter Theatre concert.
• 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 solo positions with a YAO student every year.
• 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.

Download Application Form

Please fill out our Absence Request Form for any and all absences, late arrivals or early dismissals.

Raising Musicians:

Financial Aid

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  (February 6 for Spring only Prelude and Wind Symphony).  To apply for GCYO fee assistance go to Request for GCYO Fee Assistance (Currently not open)

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 30 (February 6 for Spring only Prelude and Wind Symphony).

Funds will be sent to the teacher or institution providing lessons.

To apply for financial assistance for private lessons go to Private Lesson Assistance (Currently Not Open)

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. Auditions this year will be by submitted recordings. 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. Unless you are applying for a Senior Scholarship you MUST be returning to GCYO in the fall!

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 1 – 2 scholarships awarded for each orchestra, amount to be determined by GCYO Board.

How to apply: Fill out and submit the application below by 5/11/2023. Applications submitted after the cutoff date will not be accepted.

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 5/11/2023. Applications submitted after the cutoff date will not be accepted!

Audition requirements and procedures

• Prepare a brief (no more than 5 minute) selection of solo repertoire.  Be sure to select a solo that demonstrates your highest level of musicianship and technique.
• Make a video recording of your solo (cell phone recording are perfect).  Be sure your recording shows you AND your instrument.
• Upload your video to google docs, YouTube, or other cloud storage and send the link to david.kiser@gcyo.net
• Recordings must be received by 05/11/2023

Scholarship Application