DYAO Membership Information
DYAO, the most advanced of our ensembles, performs four concerts annually, including one side-by-side concert with the Colorado Symphony Orchestra. Concerts are performed at Boettcher Concert Hall and at Gates Hall in the University of Denver's Newman Center. Recent repertoire includes Stravinsky’s Firebird Suite, Dvorak’s Symphony No. 7, and Rachmaninoff’s Symphonic Dances.
DYAO members are eligible to participate in the orchestra's annual Concerto Competition. The winner receives the opportunity to solo with the DYAO during the spring concert.
The DYAO has made six summer concert tours abroad to England, Italy, France, the Czech Republic, Austria, Hungary, and most recently to Argentina. These tours afford the young musicians the memorable experience of visiting and performing in some of the world's great musical venues.
Additional benefits that DYAO members receive include coachings with professional musicians, the opportunity to participate in chamber ensembles led by a Colorado Symphony musician, discounted tickets to Colorado Symphony performances, and an annual weekend retreat to Estes Park.
Placement in DYAO is determined by audition and membership is open to musicians ages 12 through 23. Composed of approximately 90 members, DYAO is conducted by Music Director Scott O’Neil and rehearses Saturday mornings from 9:00 am - 1:00 pm at the University of Denver’s Lamont School of Music.
Conservatory Orchestra Membership Information
The Conservatory Orchestra is an intermediate to advanced level ensemble for students who aspire to grow into DYAO. The Conservatory Orchestra performs four concerts in the Denver School of the Arts Concert Hall, including a side-by-side performance with the Denver School of the Arts Orchestra, and receives periodic coachings throughout the year by Music Director Adam Flatt and the most senior musicians from DYAO. Recent repertoire includes Khatchaturian’s Masquerade Suite and Rimsky-Korsakov’s Russian Easter Overture. Placement in The Conservatory Orchestra is by audition and membership is open to musicians ages 10 through 18. The Conservatory Orchestra is overseen by Maestro O’Neil and conducted by Javan Carson. Rehearsals are on Tuesday evenings from 7 to 9 pm at Denver School of the Arts.
String Ensemble
The String Ensemble gives young music students an opportunity to experience the great wealth of string orchestra literature. The ensemble is designed for those who have developed facility in bowing techniques, reading music, and using vibrato. The student’s current level should be the end of Suzuki book 4 through 6 (3-5 for violists). Composed of approximately 25 members, the String Ensemble performs three concerts in the Denver School of the Arts Concert Hall. Members will also receive coachings periodically by Music Director Adam Flatt.
Placement in the String Ensemble is determined by audition and membership is open to musicians ages 8 through 13. The String Ensemble is overseen by Maestro O’Neil and conducted by Javan Carson and rehearses on Tuesday evenings from 5:30 to 6:45 pm at Denver School of the Arts.
