At VYOA, there’s a chair for every young musician – each of our three performing orchestras is a welcoming community where students feel they belong, are encouraged to grow, and are inspired to reach new heights. After an annual audition process, each musician finds their place in Vermont Youth Strings, Vermont Youth Philharmonia, or the Vermont Youth Orchestra, where they collaborate, take on exciting musical challenges, and build lifelong confidence through performance.
Vermont Youth Orchestra
VYO is our flagship orchestra, composed of dedicated young musicians from across the state. Led by music director, Dr. Mark Alpízar, they perform four formal concerts each year, as well as numerous small-group performances. VYO repertoire features full symphonies, world premieres, and music from non-traditional sources, selected specifically for the year’s musicians to provide the most challenging musical experience.
Vermont Youth Philharmonia
Musicians learn to paint with even more color in this symphonic experience. With the addition of winds and brass players, the opportunities for orchestral repertoire expand, and this ensemble offers many young musicians their first experience playing in a full symphony orchestra. Dr. Yutaka Kono challenges this ensemble with music selections that are relevant to their lives, including contemporary, diverse composers and exciting selections from movies and other media, in preparation for several concerts, school, and community performances.
Vermont Youth Strings
Vermont Youth Strings emphasizes playing together as a primary element of music education. Our springboard ensemble, this string orchestra plays hard – in rehearsal and on the Ft. Ethan Allen playground – and young musicians develop an appreciation for their own individual contributions to orchestral playing, in harmony with the contributions of their peers. Led by VYO Alum Asiat “Ace” Ali, this is our foundational auditioned ensemble and they perform several public performances each year.
Presto String Ensemble
Presto offers beginning string players an introduction to ensemble playing in a fun and encouraging environment. Two 6-week sessions are offered, each culminating in a concert for family and friends.
De Capo Brass & Wind Ensemble
Da Capo is a 7-week program for intermediate woodwind and brass students entering grades 6-9. During this ensemble enrichment program, musicians will prepare concert repertoire specific to winds and brass.
Programs
Financial Aid
The VYOA is on a mission to make music accessible to all, regardless of financial background. With nearly $40,000 of financial aid awarded annually, we encourage you to explore how we can help keep your tuition affordable.