Baltimore Symphony Youth Orchestras
About OUr Programs
BSYO is dedicated to providing an enriched ensemble experience for a wide range of ages and skill levels, beginning with young developing students in elementary school and extending to advanced high school seniors preparing to pursue degrees in music. Our four orchestras include the String Orchestra, Philharmonia Orchestra, Concert Orchestra, and Youth Orchestra. All Orchestras rehearse on Sundays at the Joseph Meyerhoff Symphony Hall or Towson University’s Center for Fine Arts. Learn more about each ensemble below!
Listen to the BSYO performing on our YouTube Channel
Mission and goals
The Baltimore Symphony Youth Orchestra program strives to create a supportive, inclusive, collaborative performance environment that enhances the musical, emotional and intellectual growth of our students. We perform standard orchestral repertoire as well as music by unrepresented and living composers, offering each student individualized attention and a supportive, inclusive, collaborative performance environment.
Learn more about our four orchestra programs below!
Youth Orchestra
The Youth Orchestra (YO) is the most advanced BSYO full orchestra. YO students are typically high school aged* and are dedicated to their instruments, receive private lessons, and participate in their school ensembles. The YO performs symphonic masterworks as well as exciting new repertoire by living composers. In addition to the regular concert season, students may participate in the annual concerto competition and regular chamber music opportunities, including premier Fellowship Chamber Ensembles which receive paying gigs, and performance opportunities throughout MD. The YO receives additional coaching from musicians of the BSO, as well as occasional guest conductors. Rehearsals take place on Sunday afternoons from 2:00PM-5:00PM.
Tuition for the Youth Orchestra (YO) is $970. To secure a spot, a $100 deposit is required upon acceptance, leaving a tuition balance of $870. Financial assistance is available, and students interested in applying for aid will be prompted to submit a Financial Aid Application.
*exceptional younger musicians will be considered at the discretion of the Artistic Director and with the endorsement of the student’s private teacher
In 2025, YO students will have the opportunity to travel to Europe as part of the Lisbon Music Festival, performing in venues across Lisbon and Porto, while premiering a new work by James Lee III, the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra’s 2025 Composer in Residence. YO students also performed in March as a featured ensemble at the Maryland Music Educators Association’s Annual Conference.
Recent repertoire has included standard works such as Mahler’s 1st Symphony, Debussy’s La Mer, Rimsky-Korsakov’s Scheherazade, Stravinsky’s Firebird Suite, and pieces by contemporary composers such as An-lun Huang’s Saibei Dances, Jennifer Higdon’s Blue Cathedral, Jonathan Leshnoff’s Dancing Blue Crabs, Omar Thomas’ Of Our New Day Begun, and premieres by James Lee III, and Brian Prechtl.
Listen to the Youth Orchestra performing Respighi’s Pines of Rome here!
Concert Orchestra
The Concert Orchestra (CO) is a full orchestra designed for intermediate/ advanced high school aged musicians*. The CO performs both original classic and contemporary works. Students in CO also participate in chamber music ensembles, and receive coaching by musicians of the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra. Students also receive the opportunity to perform in an annual concerto competition adjudicated by members of the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra, with the winner receiving an opportunity to perform their concerto with the full orchestra. Rehearsals take place on Sunday afternoons from 2:15pm – 4:45pm.
Tuition for the Concert Orchestra (CO) is $920. To secure a spot, a $100 deposit is required upon acceptance, leaving a tuition balance of $820. Financial assistance is available, and students interested in applying for aid will be prompted to submit a Financial Aid Application.
*exceptional younger musicians will be considered at the discretion of the Artistic Director and with the endorsement of the student’s private teacher
The Concert Orchestra is conducted by James Woomert, Director of Orchestras at Marriotts Ridge High School.
In 2024, the Concert Orchestra performed Three Sketches of Unblemished Earth after having the opportunity to workshop the piece with composer Jordan Jinosko in rehearsal. CO students will also participate in the 2025 BSYO tour to Portugal alongside YO students.
Recent repertoire has included standard works such as Tchaikovsky’s Romeo and Juliet Overture, Borodin’s Symphony no. 2, Rachmaninov’s Symphony no. 2, Mussorgsky’s Night on the Bare Mountain, as well as pieces by contemporary composers such as Karel Butz’ Three Metallic Spires, Arturo Marquez’ Conga del Fuego Nuevo, John Williams’ Flying Theme from E.T., and Saucedo’s Nocturne.
Listen to the Concert Orchestra performing John Williams’ Flying Theme from E.T. here!
Philharmonia Orchestra
The Philharmonia Orchestra (PO) is a full orchestra designed for developing/ intermediate middle and high school aged students. The Philharmonia Orchestra is often the first opportunity for young string players to participate in a full orchestra experience, and for young woodwind and brass instrumentalists to play in an orchestral rather than band setting. The PO performs original and arrangements of classical works as well as commissioned pieces by contemporary composers. PO students also receive opportunities to participate in chamber ensembles, an annual concerto competition, and sectionals led by members of the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra. Rehearsals take place on Sunday evenings from 5:15pm – 7:15pm.
Tuition for the Philharmonia Orchestra (PO) is $820. To secure a spot, a $100 deposit is required upon acceptance, leaving a tuition balance of $720. Financial assistance is available, and students interested in applying for aid will be prompted to submit a Financial Aid Application.
The Philharmonia Orchestra is conducted by Dr. Christopher Cicconi, Director of Bands at James Madison University in Harrisonburg, Virginia.
The Philharmonia Orchestra was founded in 2024 to allow BSYO to better serve developing young instrumentalists in Maryland! Highlights of their founding season include a performance of Brian Balmages’ Arabian Dances, conducted at their inaugural concert on November 17th, 2024 by the composer himself! At the final concert of their 2024-25 season, PO will perform Mark Lortz’ Heart of Madness, inspired by Baltimore legend Edgar Allan Poe and arranged by the composer Mark Lortz especially for the Philharmonia Orchestra. Select students from the PO will also be participating in the 2025 BSYO European tour to Portugal.
Listen to the Philharmonia Orchestra performing Brian Balmages’ Arabian Dances here!
String Orchestra
The String Orchestra (SO) is the BSYO’s foundational ensemble for talented young string players. Through the performance of diverse repertoire selected to challenge and inspire students in new ways, being a member of the SO means focusing on team work, listening skills, and building the strong musicianship and technique that is needed for advanced orchestral playing. The SO receives additional support and coaching from area professionals. Students also have the opportunity to participate in the chamber music program and the annual SO concerto competition. Rehearsals take place on Sunday afternoons from 2:30pm – 4:30pm.
Tuition for the String Orchestra (SO) is $620. To secure a spot, a $100 deposit is required upon acceptance, leaving a tuition balance of $520. Financial assistance is available, and students interested in applying for aid will be prompted to submit a Financial Aid Application.
The String Orchestra is led by Wesley Thompson, Howard County Public Schools Orchestra Director, and the Executive Director of Bass Works. Recent repertoire has included Brian Balmages’ Golden Gateway, Florence Price’s Adoration, Kirt Mosier’s Green Rhythmico, and Grieg’s Holberg Suite.
Check out the String Orchestra performing the Rondo from Mozart’s Eine Kleine Nachtmusik, here!
