YOUTH ORCHESTRAS IN DFW
THAT YOU SHOULD JOIN!
Since 1972, the Greater Dallas Youth Orchestra has grown from an unknown orchestra to an internationally acclaimed ensemble. Today, Greater Dallas Youth Orchestras, Inc. serves over 450 talented musician and includes a total of seven ensembles: the Greater Dallas Youth Orchestra (GDYO) the Philharmonicthe Wind Symphony the Sinfonietta the Dallas String Ensemble (DSE) Young Performers Orchestra (YPO) the Flute Choir SELECTION PROCESS Through competitive auditions held each spring, students are selected for membership and placed in appropriate ensembles. Any student who successfully auditions for any Greater Dallas Youth Orchestras ensemble is accepted regardless of ability to pay. Spring auditions determine placement for the beginning of the new season. The Greater Dallas Youth Orchestras season aligns with most area school calendars, beginning in late August and concluding in May, with breaks for holidays.
The Fort Worth Youth Orchestra, founded in 1965 by a community group headed by Betty Utter and under the direction of Ezra Rachlin and John Giordano, was formed with the goal of inspiring the development of young musicians by providing intensive classical orchestral training and unparalleled performance opportunities.
During its 52-year history, the Youth Orchestra has won local, national, and international recognition as one of the finest youth orchestra programs in the United States. FWYO has continuously elevated, enhanced and been driven to perfect, change and adapt to meet the dynamic needs of our students and communities. The mission of FWYO is to encourage musical excellence in a professional and supportive environment by providing the highest quality in classical orchestra training and performance opportunities to qualified musicians and making its programs accessible to underserved communities through financial assistance and outreach
Today, the more than 400 current students in the FWYO music education program range in age from six months to eighteen years, and represent communities from throughout North Texas. The program offers students the opportunity to further develop their talent as well as their leadership skills, self-discipline, confidence, and pride in personal achievement. Many graduates of the Fort Worth Youth Orchestra program have gone on to become members of major symphony orchestra in the United States and around the world. With over 2,500 alumni, the organization's impact can be felt throughout the region in both musical and non-musical fields.
Excellence in music making at FWYO is, uniquely, both a goal and a means. We provide a rich and broad range of programs from Early Childhood Music to our premier orchestra, the Youth Orchestra. Our unique and extensive programming is rooted in quality, and delivered in a nurturing environment. Programs and opportunities like our Chamber Music program exemplify the rare opportunity for young musicians to truly understand an area of repertoire that will enhance their artistic understanding on a larger scale. Our young musicians perform repertoire that is above the level of most youth orchestras in our country, both in difficulty, maturity and scope.
The Orchestra's accomplishments include concert tours in Europe, Mexico, Canada, and the Far East; music festivals in Switzerland and Washington, D.C.; and numerous other concert appearances across Texas and the Southwest. The Youth Orchestra has also been honored to perform with artists such as Van Cliburn, Jose Feghali, Yakov Kasman, Tamàs Ungàr, and John Owings, and composers Morton Gould and Samuel Adler.
Under the leadership of Music Director German Gutierrez, FWYO has become one of North Texas’ most prestigious performing arts organizations.
The Flower Mound Community Orchestras were established in 1994 to provide area residents a vehicle for the performance and enjoyment of classical music. Our mission is to encourage and instruct musicians in the art of orchestral presentation and to promote music education and awareness in the community.FMCO provides three ensembles for musicians of all levels of proficiency: Symphony Orchestra Progressive Orchestra Preparatory Orchestra Join Us! The orchestras are composed of local-area musicians of all ages who volunteer their time and considerable talents for the benefit of cultural awareness in the community and for their own enjoyment of playing in an ensemble. To audition for a place in any of the orchestras, please contact the Music Director.
The GNTYO was founded with the desire to build and serve the North Texas community with an exceptional orchestral experience for both students and audience members. We believe that fine arts, and especially a youth orchestra, is an essential element of a strong, vibrant community and we are excited to be an integral part of cultivating the cultural awareness and growth in North Texas. Students from Frisco, McKinney, Aubrey, Prosper, Celina, Plano, Lewisville, Allen and Richardson will come together to rehearse and perform musical works from multiple genres and eras of music literature. It is our goal to supplement our students’ musical education with unique side-by-side performance opportunities, as well as grow their skills and character through the GNTYO experience. The GNTYO operates under the umbrella of the Odysseus Chamber Orchestra, which is a 501 (c) (3) orchestra and is open to all students whether from private, public, or home school. The GNTYO is intended to supplement, not detract, from their School Orchestra and Band programs. With that in mind, students are required to be enrolled in their school Band or Orchestra programs to participate in the GNTYO and will provide verification (Semester Schedule) of enrollment in their School programs. Exceptions will be made for those students whose school districts do not offer such programs, are home schooled, or are not able to participate in their school programs (board reviewed on a case by case basis). Membership is through an audition process. Students from 8th to 12th grade may audition, with special consideration made for capable younger students. All GNTYO musicians will be exposed to comprehensive and challenging music literature, intensive orchestral instruction with respected and accomplished coaches, master classes, music theory, and rewarding performances.
Why join?
Youth symphony allowed me to experience music with other serious, dedicated, and high level musicians, and make friends across the region. Additionally as a section leader, coordinating and leading sectionals, suggesting bowings, and adding fingerings were my responsibility for 2 years. Having that responsibility taught me to always be prepared no matter what you do. Dedicating 3 hours of my Sunday never phased me, I always looked forward to it!
-Javi Betancourt, Private Cello Instructor
I liked that there were lots of different people and it was a different kind of orchestra experience. I liked having more music to work on, and it was challenging and fun! I made a few friends and the concerts were in really cool places!
-Madeline McCourt, Student
For me, there was no better way to spend Saturday mornings. It allowed me to connect with musicians who were passionate and inspiring.
-Miriam Oddie, Private Viola Instructor