ORCHESTRA PROGRAM
MYAC’s six orchestras offer students through 12th grade a powerful, transformative experience.
We expose our students early in their education to sophisticated orchestral music under conductors deeply committed to music and to passing on a tradition of art and character. Our sequence of orchestras, into which we place students according to age, ability, and experience, prepares young musicians to play–as part of our Symphony Orchestra-the great literature which forms the core repertoire of the world's premier orchestras.
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 the top two orchestras are placed into one of 40+ chamber ensembles.
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. The students wishing to register for Reading Orchestra should have at least 1 year of prior instrumental experience. 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. 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.
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. The students should have at least 1 year of prior instrumental experience.
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.
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.
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.
Philharmonia Orchestra rehearses on Saturdays from 1:00 to 3:00pm.
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, Concert Orchestra has the opportunity to accompany the O’Malley Foundation National Concerto Competition Junior Division winner during their concert series.
Concert Orchestra rehearses on Saturdays from 9:30 to 11:30am.
Symphony Orchestra
Symphony Orchestra is the most advanced orchestra at Midwest Young Artists Conservatory. Concert Orchestra is the highest level a new incoming 9th grader may be placed (in cases of exceptional ability, students may be placed in both Concert and Symphony Orchestra). MYAC students who have previously been in Concert Orchestra may audition as an incoming 9th grade into Symphony Orchestra. Directed by Dr. Allan Dennis, the Symphony Orchestra represents the highest musical quality of any youth orchestra anywhere in the world.
Symphony Orchestra rehearses on Saturdays from 12:30 to 3:30pm.
Recent Past Repertoire Includes:
Philharmonia Orchestra
Beethoven, Egmont Overture
Beethoven, Symphony No. 1
Haydn, Symphony No. 60
Mozart, Symphony No. 25
Mozart, Symphony No. 33
Schubert, Symphony No. 1
Schubert, Symphony No. 5
Concert Orchestra
Beethoven, Symphony No. 2
Beethoven, Symphony No. 5
Dvorak, Symphony No. 8
Hanson, Symphony 2 “Romantic”
Haydn, Symphony No. 104
Mendelssohn, Symphony No. 3
Mendelssohn, Symphony No. 5
Rimsky-Korsakov, Capriccio Espagnole
Schubert, Symphony No. 9
Symphony Orchestra
Berlioz, Symphonie Fantastique
Brahms, Symphony No. 1
Brahms, Symphony No. 2
Mahler, Symphony No. 1
Mahler, Symphony No. 5
Prokofiev, Romeo and Juliet Suite No. 2
Rimsky-Korsakov, Scheherazade
Shostakovich, Symphony No. 5
Shostakovich, Symphony No. 10
Sibelius, Symphony No. 7
Strauss, Till Eulenspiegel’s Merry Pranks
Stravinsky, Firebird Suite
Tchaikovsky, Symphony No. 5
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.