Conducted by Danielle Johnson, this orchestra provides unique training in orchestral repertoire for advanced high school and college-age musicians up to the age of 21. All orchestral string, brass, woodwind, and percussion instruments are welcome. All instrumentalists should have commanding facility on their instrument.

*Rehearsals on Tuesday evenings from 6:30-9:00

Youth Symphony participants:

• are advanced players with solid instrumental technique and good intonation

• are familiar with all key signatures and time signatures

• have had several years of ensemble experience

• are a member of their school’s instrumental music program

Orchestra music: Grade 5+

Suzuki level (strings): Book 7 - 10

Ages: 9th grade-age 21

Audition Requirements for Youth Symphony Strings:

• a 3-octave scale based on the key of your solo

• a solo of your choice (about 2-3 minutes) that shows your highest level of technique on your instrument
• at the audition you will be given a short excerpt to sight-read

Woodwind and Brass:

• a 2-octave scale based on the key of your solo
• a chromatic 2-octave scale
• be prepared to articulate your scales in various ways
• a solo of your choice (about 2-3 minutes) that shows your highest level of technique on your instrument
• at the audition you will be given a short excerpt to sight-read

Percussion:

• a solo on any 2 of the 3 following areas: timpani, keyboard percussion, or snare drum. Timpani and xylophone will be provided.
• timpanists should be able to tune the timpani using relative pitch and demonstrate a proper forte-piano roll
• keyboard percussionists need to play a major and minor scale of the adjudicator’s choice

Snare drum percussionists will be asked to demonstrate 2 of the 26 rudiments of the adjudicator’s choice, slow to fast to slow

The season will begin with a two-day intensive, in-house retreat at the Arvada Center with sectionals led by guest artists from The Colorado Symphony and free tickets to the CSO concert on Friday, 7/29. 

Tuition: $550 for the season

Summer Camp Tuition: $200

Audition Fee: $20

Rehearsals: Tuesdays, 6:30 - 9:00 PM

August 2023 through April 2024

Conducted by Javan Carson, this orchestra was formed to create a high-level string ensemble, to perform advanced chamber literature. This is a program for students who have played for several years and have had private lessons. The Chamber Orchestra concentrates on refining students’ orchestral playing techniques by focusing on ensemble skills, sight-reading, advanced playing positions, and advanced bowing techniques. Students must audition to participate in the program.

*Rehearsals on Wednesday evenings from 7:40 - 9:10 pm.

Chamber Orchestra participants:

• can tune their own instrument

• can sight-read in 1st through 3rd positions (violins/violas), 1st through 4th (cellos)

• are familiar with keys up to 4 sharps and 3 flats

• are able to play spiccato at different speeds and have started working on more advanced bow techniques

• violins and violas can play fluently in 1st through 3rd positions and can play in 4th and 5th positions (Violas should have basic knowledge of treble clef). Cellos can play fluently in 1st through 4th positions and have basic knowledge of tenor clef

• can play with fluent vibrato

• have a few years of ensemble experience

• are a member of their school’s instrumental music program

Orchestra music: Grade 3.5 - 5

Suzuki level: late Book 4 - Book 7 (violin), late Book 4 - 6 (viola and cello)

Ages: 11-Senior in high school

Audition Requirements for Chamber Orchestra

• a 3-octave major and a 3-octave minor scale
• a solo of your choice (about 2-3 minutes) that shows your highest level of technique on your instrument
• at the audition you will be given a short excerpt to sight-read

The season begins with a three-day summer music camp at the Arvada Center.

Tuition: $450 for the season

Summer Camp Tuition: $135

Audition Fee: $20

Rehearsals: Wednesdays 7:40-9:10

August 2023-April 2024

Conducted by Javan Carson, this is a program for students who have played for two to three years and have had private lessons for at least one year. This group emphasizes ensemble and music reading skills, and the development of orchestral playing techniques. Students must audition to participate in the program.

*Rehearsals on Wednesday evenings from 6:40 - 7:40 pm.

Concert Strings participants:

• can sight-read all notes in 1st position
• are familiar with keys up to 3 sharps and 2 flats
• are able to use their whole bow, and have started working on spiccato
• have started working on shifting (violins/violas), can shift (cellos)
• have started working on vibrato
• have some ensemble experience
• are a member of their school’s instrumental music program

Orchestra music: Grade 2 - 3

Suzuki level: Book 3 - 5

Ages: 8 - 14

Audition Requirements for Concert Strings

• a 2-octave major and a 2-octave minor scale
• a solo of your choice (about 2-3 minutes) that shows your highest level of technique on your instrument
• at the audition, you will be given a short excerpt to sight-read

The season begins with a three-day summer music camp at the Arvada Center.

Tuition: $425 for the season

Summer Camp Tuition: $135

Audition Fee: $20

Rehearsals: Wednesdays 6:40-7:40

August 2023-April 2024

Conducted by Michelle Ewer, this group is intended for students with between one and three years of experience. Academy strings will help students hone in on their playing skills in an ensemble setting. The focus is on technique and creating a quality string tone while having fun learning. This class is perfect for students who are developing orchestral ensemble skills with a curriculum that supports string pedagogy. The season begins with a jump-start summer camp.

*Rehearsals on Wednesday evenings from 5:30 - 6:30 pm. 

Academy Strings participants:

• can read all notes in 1st position
• have had 1 - 3 years of playing experience
• are a member of their school’s instrumental music program

Orchestra music: Grade 1 - 2

Suzuki level: Book 1 - 3

Ages: 8 - 8th grade

Audition Requirements for Academy Strings

• a 1-octave major scale, two octaves if capable
• a solo of your choice (about 2-3 minutes) that shows your highest level of technique on your instrument (no school sheet music please)
• at the audition, you will be given a short excerpt to sight-read

The season begins with a three-day summer music camp at the Arvada Center.

Tuition: $375 for the season

Summer Camp Tuition: $100

Audition Fee: $20

Rehearsals: Wednesdays 5:30-6:30

August 2023-April 2024