ORCHESTRA PROGRAM


The MYAC orchestral program provides students from kindergarten through 12th grade with an unparalleled music experience!

Students are exposed to orchestral literature at the earliest of ages and grow through a comprehensive program that provides musically advanced students the opportunity to perform literature on par with professional orchestras around the world.

Orchestral students have the chance to perform in Chicago’s premiere performance venues with world-renowned conductors and guest artists. All students enrolled in the Orchestra Program may participate in tuition free music theory classes. Students in Concert and Symphony Orchestras are required to participate in chamber music groups to strengthen their listening and ensemble skills. MYAC also offers tuition-free Instrumental performance classes and master classes with guest artist-teachers for Concertino, Philharmonia, Concert, and Symphony Orchestra students.


Age policy for the Orchestra Program

Students are placed in an orchestra using the following criteria:

  • Technical and musical level

  • Experience

  • Grade

Symphony, Concert and Philharmonia Orchestras include students in grades 6-12.
Students in 6th grade and below will be placed in Reading/Cadet, Concertino or Philharmonia Orchestras. (In exceptional cases, some students may also be placed in Concert Orchestra but their “primary assignment” would remain Philharmonia. Tuition would then be charged for only one orchestra, the higher-level orchestra.) Students in 8th grade and below will be placed in Reading/Cadet, Concertino, Philharmonia or Concert Orchestras. (In exceptional cases, some students may also be placed in Symphony Orchestra but their “primary assignment” would remain Concert Orchestra. Tuition would then be charged for only one orchestra, Symphony Orchestra.) There are no exceptions to this policy. Please refer to this Orchestra Placement Rubric for details outlining expectations for each level.

Chamber Music requirement for Concert Orchestra and Symphony Orchestra members

Concert and Symphony Orchestra members must be available to participate in the Chamber Music Program if assigned to a chamber music ensemble. Chamber Music ensembles typically meet within two hours before or three hours after Saturday orchestra rehearsal or on a mutually agreeable alternate day and time.

Exceptions to this policy should be requested in writing and submitted with justification for the exception with a student’s “Intent to Participate” form submitted in April. For new students, exceptions must be submitted upon acceptance and submission of the Intent to Participate form.

Students who do not participate in the MYAC Orchestra Program may be assigned to a chamber music ensemble when an opening cannot be filled with current MYAC orchestra members. However, MYAC orchestra members receive first priority.


Reading Orchestra

Reading Orchestra is MYAC’s entry-level orchestra. Reading Orchestra is a string-only group that focuses on teaching the basics of reading music and playing in an ensemble setting. The enrollment is kept smaller to facilitate a closer teacher and student relationship. It stresses concepts such as recognition of pitch, rhythmic accuracy, and basic ensemble skills.

Reading Orchestra rehearses on Saturdays from 12:00 - 1:00pm.

Learn more about registering for Reading Orchestra

Cadet Orchestra

Cadet Orchestra is comprised of strings, winds, brass, and percussion students. Conductor Patrick Pearson stresses the importance of developing beginning rhythmic and intonation skills in an ensemble and the ability to listen to others while performing.

Cadet Orchestra rehearses on Saturdays from 11:00 -12:00pm.

Audition Requirements for Cadet Orchestra

Concertino Orchestra

Concertino Orchestra is MYAC’s beginning-intermediate performing orchestra for strings, winds, brass, and percussion students. Conductor Patrick Pearson emphasizes developing and perfecting rhythmic and intonation skills in an ensemble.

Concertino Orchestra rehearses on Saturdays from 9:30 to 11:00am.

Audition Requirements for Concertino Orchestra


Philharmonia Orchestra

Philharmonia is MYAC’s intermediate full orchestra. There are approximately 75 students. Under the direction of Patrick Pearson, Philharmonia stresses the importance of rhythm, intonation, dynamics, and balance. Previous repertoire includes Beethoven Symphony No. 5, Haydn’s Symphony No. 104, and Schubert’s Unfinished Symphony.

Philharmonia Orchestra rehearses on Saturdays from 1:00 to 3:00pm.

Audition Requirements for Philharmonia Orchestra

Concert Orchestra

Under the direction of conductor Dr. Allan Dennis, Concert Orchestra is MYAC’s upper-level orchestra with approximately 100 members with a full string section (including harp), winds and brass, and percussion. Every year, Concerto Orchestra has the opportunity to accompany the Walgreens Concerto Competition Junior Division winner during their concert series. During the 2011-2012 Season, Concert Orchestra appeared side by side with the Ballet Chicago at the Chicago Cultural Center. Previous repertoire includes Prokofiev’s Peter and the Wolf, Schubert’s Symphony No. 9, and Mendelssohn’s Symphony No. 5.

All Concert Orchestra members are required to be available for placement into a chamber music ensemble that meets within two hours before or three hours after orchestra rehearsal or on a mutually agreeable alternate date.

Concert Orchestra rehearses on Saturdays from 9:30 to 11:30am.

Audition Requirements for Concert Orchestra

Symphony Orchestra

Symphony Orchestra is the most advanced orchestra at Midwest Young Artists Conservatory. All students who are in grades 9 and under are required to also participate in Concert Orchestra. Directed by Dr. Allan Dennis, the Symphony Orchestra represents the highest musical quality of any youth orchestra anywhere in the world.

The Symphony Orchestra has performed at prestigious venues all over Chicago such as Lyric Opera House, Symphony Center, Harris Theatre for Music and Dance, Northwestern’s Pick-Staiger Concert Hall, and many more. Repertoire includes works by Mussorgsky, Mahler, Hindemith, Rimsky-Korsakov, Bernstein, among others.

All Symphony Orchestra members are required to be available for placement into a chamber music ensemble that meets within two hours before or three hours after orchestra rehearsal or on a mutually agreeable alternate date.

Symphony Orchestra rehearses on Saturdays from 12:30 to 3:30pm.

Audition Requirements for Symphony Orchestra


Honors Ensembles:

I Solisti Symphony Orchestra

I‘Solisti Symphony Orchestra (ISSO) is a select, chamber orchestra directed by Desiree Ruhstrat consisting of five violins, two violas, two cellos, and one double bass from Symphony Orchestra. Participating students receive a scholarship and may have the opportunity to perform a movement from a concerto. Performers and soloists are chosen by audition.