Why are you considering switching? We had originally planned to switch to AYCO (our kid tried out for the DCYOP in January after switching instruments at the beginning of the year) and now we are thinking we will just stick with DCYOP unless the Saturday practices become an issue. Our kid loves it and we figure if it ain't broke, why fix it?

My friend's daughter was in AY before my daughter started with orchestras, and based on what she was experiencing, we chose to have my daughter go with a different orchestra. The environment (to me) seemed to be lots of pushy parents after prestige, more than just motivated kids doing their best. The additional deciding factor was that they tend to be fairly strict about the age of kids in the orchestras; a highly competent child will still be held back because they're young (for instance, a 10 year old playing a really good Introduction and Rondo Capriccioso).

My (now) 13 year old is in a lesser orchestra, but in their highest one (a full orchestra, not just strings), and is learning a lot by virtue of having to come up to speed on some pretty challenging repertoire. She intends to audition for concertmaster next season.

Anonymous wrote:AYDO is not cutthroat. None of the orchestras are IMO. DC just finished the season with AYP after being in orchestra since 6th grade. We also heard AYP was cutthroat and told that any kid could challenge any other for their seat at any time and it was a stressful environment. That does not happen, and we found it to be a positive community.

This is OP. That’s helpful. Thank you!

AYDO is not cutthroat. None of the orchestras are IMO. DC just finished the season with AYP after being in orchestra since 6th grade. We also heard AYP was cutthroat and told that any kid could challenge any other for their seat at any time and it was a stressful environment. That does not happen, and we found it to be a positive community.

Anonymous wrote:I’ve signed up, but my child is already in another area orchestra, loves it, and doesn’t want to audition for others. I am just curious if I should push it. If it’s very cutthroat, that makes the decision easier.

Cutthroat is loaded because it implies the kids don't like each other. They do. However I don't understand why you signed up if your child is happy elsewhere? Is the commute shorter, or you feel your child would do better in a higher-level orchestra?

I’ve signed up, but my child is already in another area orchestra, loves it, and doesn’t want to audition for others. I am just curious if I should push it. If it’s very cutthroat, that makes the decision easier.

If you've already signed up for the audition, go through with it. The time to decide is later, after you find out if your kid got in.

AYPO and MCYO are the two best youth orchestras in the region, and violins are the most played orchestra instrument... so auditions are always competitive. But kids in both orchestras usually enjoy the experience and camaraderie.

Does anyone have a kid in AYDO this year? We are trying to decide whether to proceed with an audition. What is the culture like? I have a violin player, if that matters.