Anyone do DC Youth Orchestra and live in upper NW? How's that commute for you?

[Anonymous]

What age do you have to be to start?

[Anonymous]

DCYO got kicked out of Coolidge because they were a nuisance. PP was correct in referencing the commute issue was the same for those who reside in ne/se and trekked to nw.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What age do you have to be to start?

The ages for each instrument is on their website.

[Anonymous]

PP poster here. We started DCYO when they were still located at Coolidge. The commute to Eastern is a pain, but doable. We were lucky the string program was on Saturdays, so the commute from NW via Rock Creek Pkwy wasn't too bad. I am a huge fan of the program. DD loved her teachers and we rented from DCYO as well. She had a group lesson (sectional) and orchestra rehearsal every week. The price is really reasonable.

[Anonymous]

I love this program. We are in upper NW and do the commute to Eastern on Saturdays. About 30 minutes door to door. We could carpool but so far we haven't. A bunch of kids from our neighborhood are in the program.

The facility is very nice (they did a great job with Eastern) and DD learned a lot. It's also very affordable as lessons go. You can rent instruments from DCYO or rent one from a store or just buy one second hand. We got a nice one on ebay and had it refurbished.

There are little tiny kids with their tiny violins and also big kids learning all kinds of instruments. You can do the group lessons (DD's class had 4 kids, not all of whom came every time); the violin classes for little ones are larger. DD is getting private lessons this summer-- I didn't think the summer DCYOP schedule was going to work very well. I like the juries, I think it rewards work and practice and is equitable. I like that there are various levels of orchestras and wind ensembles, so once your child can play fairly well he/she can play in an ensemble with other kids. Overall I think the program is doing a great job and I would highly recommend it.

[Anonymous]

I wish DCYO would move to a building all by themselves. Here's a thought take one of the schools that DCPS is closing and give it to DCYO. Why not, Ron Brown Middle School extremely close to Deanwood metro and easy access off of 295 and 50.

Eastern's school population is growing by leaps and bounds. Saturday activities for the Ramblers will definitely increase. Eastern is a wonderful school but it is not a large school. Therefore the logistics of operating programs in a school has created conflicts.

DCYO was at Coolidge, now at Eastern hopefully a third move will be a charm. Can someone answer this how come John Phillip Sousa Middle School can't house DCYO. Ellington HS has music and Sousa does not. That would be like a STEM school with no math.