Below is a list of local youth orchestras. If I’ve left some out feel free to contact me at pattyoboe [at] me [dot] com with the name and the URL and I’ll add it in. Thanks!
I do have advice for choosing a youth orchestra. I’ve written about it before, and here is just a quick list in case you are interested:
- Check to see how many groups are offered to be sure there’s an appropriate one for your level of playing.
- Find out what day the orchestra(s) rehearse before you bother paying the audition fee; if you can’t attend the rehearsals why bother with the group?
- If you have the opportunity, go listen to the orchestra(s)! Check to see if they are actually using what we “ringers” (older players, sometimes even professionals and, in one case I saw, a professional musician who had school-aged children).
**Do not believe the websites and the ages give there; I know for a fact that two of the orchestras are using older players all of the time! (And no, I won’t tell you which ones here.)
CALIFORNIA PHILHARMONIC YOUTH ORCHESTRA
PALO ALTO CHAMBER ORCHESTRA (STRINGS ONLY)
YOUNG PEOPLE’S SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA
