What are the best Youth Orchestra's in the DMV area?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:MCYO and AYPO are the best in the region, and both are fairly strict about their age groups for orchestra. They will occasionally bend the rules for kids that have been with them for a while, and are very good.

DD has been playing with TCSYO for several years, and they do not limit kids by age. She has often been the youngest kid in the ensemble, and has been playing in their top ensemble since she was a 7th grader.

What makes the other 2 better than TCSYO, and why did you all choose TCSYO anyway?

We live in NoVA and making it to Strathmore on a week night was just not possible, so we decided to go with a NoVA orchestra. DD's best friend has been with AY for years. The younger ensembles just did not sound like a very healthy environment, - young children that are very good but not particularly interested, being pushed by tiger parents - so we chose something that was essentially the opposite. The fact that they do not limit kids by age/grade was also a major plus. This year, she is auditioning for both AY and TCSYO; the senior ensembles are apparently free from this sort of drama and one upsmanship, and she now knows lots of AY kids through school and JDO.

I don't know this first hand obviously, but I am told that the other ensembles have better coaching and performance opportunities than TCSYO. Both are older, better established ensembles, and because they have better reputations, attract a higher caliber of students.

Ugh my kid wants to switch from DCYOP to AY next year and this is what I am worried about. I love the conductors at DCYOP and the students all seem so happy to be there. But my kid and his music teachers all think AY will better challenge him (which is probably true).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:MCYO and AYPO are the best in the region, and both are fairly strict about their age groups for orchestra. They will occasionally bend the rules for kids that have been with them for a while, and are very good.

DD has been playing with TCSYO for several years, and they do not limit kids by age. She has often been the youngest kid in the ensemble, and has been playing in their top ensemble since she was a 7th grader.

What makes the other 2 better than TCSYO, and why did you all choose TCSYO anyway?

We live in NoVA and making it to Strathmore on a week night was just not possible, so we decided to go with a NoVA orchestra. DD's best friend has been with AY for years. The younger ensembles just did not sound like a very healthy environment, - young children that are very good but not particularly interested, being pushed by tiger parents - so we chose something that was essentially the opposite. The fact that they do not limit kids by age/grade was also a major plus. This year, she is auditioning for both AY and TCSYO; the senior ensembles are apparently free from this sort of drama and one upsmanship, and she now knows lots of AY kids through school and JDO.

I don't know this first hand obviously, but I am told that the other ensembles have better coaching and performance opportunities than TCSYO. Both are older, better established ensembles, and because they have better reputations, attract a higher caliber of students.

Ugh my kid wants to switch from DCYOP to AY next year and this is what I am worried about. I love the conductors at DCYOP and the students all seem so happy to be there. But my kid and his music teachers all think AY will better challenge him (which is probably true).

Just have him do his own thing without paying any attention to the whole ‘so and so practices 6 hours a day and you have to do it too if you want to be a high chair’ type of attitude.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:MCYO and AYPO are the best in the region, and both are fairly strict about their age groups for orchestra. They will occasionally bend the rules for kids that have been with them for a while, and are very good.

DD has been playing with TCSYO for several years, and they do not limit kids by age. She has often been the youngest kid in the ensemble, and has been playing in their top ensemble since she was a 7th grader.

What makes the other 2 better than TCSYO, and why did you all choose TCSYO anyway?

We live in NoVA and making it to Strathmore on a week night was just not possible, so we decided to go with a NoVA orchestra. DD's best friend has been with AY for years. The younger ensembles just did not sound like a very healthy environment, - young children that are very good but not particularly interested, being pushed by tiger parents - so we chose something that was essentially the opposite. The fact that they do not limit kids by age/grade was also a major plus. This year, she is auditioning for both AY and TCSYO; the senior ensembles are apparently free from this sort of drama and one upsmanship, and she now knows lots of AY kids through school and JDO.

I don't know this first hand obviously, but I am told that the other ensembles have better coaching and performance opportunities than TCSYO. Both are older, better established ensembles, and because they have better reputations, attract a higher caliber of students.

Ugh my kid wants to switch from DCYOP to AY next year and this is what I am worried about. I love the conductors at DCYOP and the students all seem so happy to be there. But my kid and his music teachers all think AY will better challenge him (which is probably true).

Apply to both and see where they get in then decide.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I didn't know Orchestra was going the sports route where you "play up".

Do you also redshirt your kid so they are bigger and stronger and get the coveted Tuba 1st chair?

It's not about redshirting. It's about a kid being able to play in an ensemble that is a good fit for their ability. If a 10 year old violinist can play Sibelius, it makes no sense for them to be playing the equivalent of 'Baa Baa Black Sheep' in an ensemble.

Then it’s not playing up, it playing with others at your same level. DCYOP does this.

The orchestras considered best in the region (MCYO and AYPO) generally do not allow this. For instance, the Philharmonic orchestra at AYPO says that it "Includes students grades 9th-12th, averaging grade 12". My rising 9th grader violinist has nearly 0% chance of getting into it, although she is auditioning for it anyway.

if she is good they will let her in.

It's not that straightforward. A student that has been a part of the organization for years will have a better shot than someone that is brand new to the organization, even if they both have essentially similar skills if they're say on the borderline of the age/grade cutoff. Obviously, a 13 year old playing Pag 1 would probably make it.

If PP's kid is borderline then she doesn't need to "play up".

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I didn't know Orchestra was going the sports route where you "play up".

Do you also redshirt your kid so they are bigger and stronger and get the coveted Tuba 1st chair?

It's not about redshirting. It's about a kid being able to play in an ensemble that is a good fit for their ability. If a 10 year old violinist can play Sibelius, it makes no sense for them to be playing the equivalent of 'Baa Baa Black Sheep' in an ensemble.

Then it’s not playing up, it playing with others at your same level. DCYOP does this.

The orchestras considered best in the region (MCYO and AYPO) generally do not allow this. For instance, the Philharmonic orchestra at AYPO says that it "Includes students grades 9th-12th, averaging grade 12". My rising 9th grader violinist has nearly 0% chance of getting into it, although she is auditioning for it anyway.

if she is good they will let her in.

It's not that straightforward. A student that has been a part of the organization for years will have a better shot than someone that is brand new to the organization, even if they both have essentially similar skills if they're say on the borderline of the age/grade cutoff. Obviously, a 13 year old playing Pag 1 would probably make it.

If PP's kid is borderline then she doesn't need to "play up".

I didn’t say borderline in ability. They could be young for an ensemble and be rejected on that basis but someone the orchestra already knows for years might be allowed to move up. The exception would be if they are exceptional, not just very good.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I didn't know Orchestra was going the sports route where you "play up".

Do you also redshirt your kid so they are bigger and stronger and get the coveted Tuba 1st chair?

It's not about redshirting. It's about a kid being able to play in an ensemble that is a good fit for their ability. If a 10 year old violinist can play Sibelius, it makes no sense for them to be playing the equivalent of 'Baa Baa Black Sheep' in an ensemble.

Then it’s not playing up, it playing with others at your same level. DCYOP does this.

The orchestras considered best in the region (MCYO and AYPO) generally do not allow this. For instance, the Philharmonic orchestra at AYPO says that it "Includes students grades 9th-12th, averaging grade 12". My rising 9th grader violinist has nearly 0% chance of getting into it, although she is auditioning for it anyway.

if she is good they will let her in.

It's not that straightforward. A student that has been a part of the organization for years will have a better shot than someone that is brand new to the organization, even if they both have essentially similar skills if they're say on the borderline of the age/grade cutoff. Obviously, a 13 year old playing Pag 1 would probably make it.

If PP's kid is borderline then she doesn't need to "play up".

Op may not realize how competitive some of these programs are.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:MCYO and AYPO are the best in the region, and both are fairly strict about their age groups for orchestra. They will occasionally bend the rules for kids that have been with them for a while, and are very good.

DD has been playing with TCSYO for several years, and they do not limit kids by age. She has often been the youngest kid in the ensemble, and has been playing in their top ensemble since she was a 7th grader.

What makes the other 2 better than TCSYO, and why did you all choose TCSYO anyway?

We live in NoVA and making it to Strathmore on a week night was just not possible, so we decided to go with a NoVA orchestra. DD's best friend has been with AY for years. The younger ensembles just did not sound like a very healthy environment, - young children that are very good but not particularly interested, being pushed by tiger parents - so we chose something that was essentially the opposite. The fact that they do not limit kids by age/grade was also a major plus. This year, she is auditioning for both AY and TCSYO; the senior ensembles are apparently free from this sort of drama and one upsmanship, and she now knows lots of AY kids through school and JDO.

I don't know this first hand obviously, but I am told that the other ensembles have better coaching and performance opportunities than TCSYO. Both are older, better established ensembles, and because they have better reputations, attract a higher caliber of students.

Ugh my kid wants to switch from DCYOP to AY next year and this is what I am worried about. I love the conductors at DCYOP and the students all seem so happy to be there. But my kid and his music teachers all think AY will better challenge him (which is probably true).

Just have him do his own thing without paying any attention to the whole ‘so and so practices 6 hours a day and you have to do it too if you want to be a high chair’ type of attitude.

My son already has that attitude (not to beat others as much as just to continue to improve). I'm worried AY will make him.more rigid about needing to get home early to practice even when he is doing something fun or social.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I didn't know Orchestra was going the sports route where you "play up".

Do you also redshirt your kid so they are bigger and stronger and get the coveted Tuba 1st chair?

It's not about redshirting. It's about a kid being able to play in an ensemble that is a good fit for their ability. If a 10 year old violinist can play Sibelius, it makes no sense for them to be playing the equivalent of 'Baa Baa Black Sheep' in an ensemble.

Then it’s not playing up, it playing with others at your same level. DCYOP does this.

The orchestras considered best in the region (MCYO and AYPO) generally do not allow this. For instance, the Philharmonic orchestra at AYPO says that it "Includes students grades 9th-12th, averaging grade 12". My rising 9th grader violinist has nearly 0% chance of getting into it, although she is auditioning for it anyway.

if she is good they will let her in.

It's not that straightforward. A student that has been a part of the organization for years will have a better shot than someone that is brand new to the organization, even if they both have essentially similar skills if they're say on the borderline of the age/grade cutoff. Obviously, a 13 year old playing Pag 1 would probably make it.

If PP's kid is borderline then she doesn't need to "play up".

Op may not realize how competitive some of these programs are.

My understanding is that the high chairs in these orchestras are competitive, but others are considerably less so.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:MCYO and AYPO are the best in the region, and both are fairly strict about their age groups for orchestra. They will occasionally bend the rules for kids that have been with them for a while, and are very good.

DD has been playing with TCSYO for several years, and they do not limit kids by age. She has often been the youngest kid in the ensemble, and has been playing in their top ensemble since she was a 7th grader.

What makes the other 2 better than TCSYO, and why did you all choose TCSYO anyway?

We live in NoVA and making it to Strathmore on a week night was just not possible, so we decided to go with a NoVA orchestra. DD's best friend has been with AY for years. The younger ensembles just did not sound like a very healthy environment, - young children that are very good but not particularly interested, being pushed by tiger parents - so we chose something that was essentially the opposite. The fact that they do not limit kids by age/grade was also a major plus. This year, she is auditioning for both AY and TCSYO; the senior ensembles are apparently free from this sort of drama and one upsmanship, and she now knows lots of AY kids through school and JDO.

I don't know this first hand obviously, but I am told that the other ensembles have better coaching and performance opportunities than TCSYO. Both are older, better established ensembles, and because they have better reputations, attract a higher caliber of students.

Ugh my kid wants to switch from DCYOP to AY next year and this is what I am worried about. I love the conductors at DCYOP and the students all seem so happy to be there. But my kid and his music teachers all think AY will better challenge him (which is probably true).

Just have him do his own thing without paying any attention to the whole ‘so and so practices 6 hours a day and you have to do it too if you want to be a high chair’ type of attitude.

My son already has that attitude (not to beat others as much as just to continue to improve). I'm worried AY will make him.more rigid about needing to get home early to practice even when he is doing something fun or social.

If it’s important to him, how is that a problem?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I didn't know Orchestra was going the sports route where you "play up".

Do you also redshirt your kid so they are bigger and stronger and get the coveted Tuba 1st chair?

It's not about redshirting. It's about a kid being able to play in an ensemble that is a good fit for their ability. If a 10 year old violinist can play Sibelius, it makes no sense for them to be playing the equivalent of 'Baa Baa Black Sheep' in an ensemble.

Then it’s not playing up, it playing with others at your same level. DCYOP does this.

The orchestras considered best in the region (MCYO and AYPO) generally do not allow this. For instance, the Philharmonic orchestra at AYPO says that it "Includes students grades 9th-12th, averaging grade 12". My rising 9th grader violinist has nearly 0% chance of getting into it, although she is auditioning for it anyway.

if she is good they will let her in.

It's not that straightforward. A student that has been a part of the organization for years will have a better shot than someone that is brand new to the organization, even if they both have essentially similar skills if they're say on the borderline of the age/grade cutoff. Obviously, a 13 year old playing Pag 1 would probably make it.

If PP's kid is borderline then she doesn't need to "play up".

Op may not realize how competitive some of these programs are.

My understanding is that the high chairs in these orchestras are competitive, but others are considerably less so.

It’s the entire orchestra that’s competitive not just the high chair but it depends on the instrument.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Realize this is a change of topic but does anyone know of strong / competitive jazz band programs in the DC area?

Maybe Bethesda Blues & Jazz Youth Orchestra?

[Anonymous]

How often do they meet once you’re part of the orchestra. Is it multiple times or once a week? Thinking of applying for my child as well.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:How often do they meet once you’re part of the orchestra. Is it multiple times or once a week? Thinking of applying for my child as well.

TCSYO is once a week either Monday or Tuesday plus they have to take private lessons, but that might be a requirement for all youth orchestras?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:How often do they meet once you’re part of the orchestra. Is it multiple times or once a week? Thinking of applying for my child as well.

TCSYO is once a week either Monday or Tuesday plus they have to take private lessons, but that might be a requirement for all youth orchestras?

Not during summer.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:How often do they meet once you’re part of the orchestra. Is it multiple times or once a week? Thinking of applying for my child as well.

TCSYO is once a week either Monday or Tuesday plus they have to take private lessons, but that might be a requirement for all youth orchestras?

Pretty much all of them meet once a week. How long they meet for depends on which orchestra they're in. Beginner orchestras normally meet for 1 - 1.5 hours, and the more senior orchestras for 2-2.5 hours. Because they only meet once, and for a longer amount of time, for the most part, there is not a lot of leeway in how many absences they can have before they lose their spot.