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Orchestral Programs

DYAO has four main ensembles:

  • Young Artists Orchestra (YAO)
  • Conservatory Orchestra (CO)
  • Allegro Strings (AS)
  • String Ensemble (SE)

To determine which ensemble might be best for your student, please consult our proficiency standards. If you have questions, please contact Rachael DeLange, Program & Orchestra Manager.

Young Artists Orchestra

The Young Artists Orchestra (YAO), the most advanced of our ensembles, is composed of approximately 70 to 80 members and performs four to six concerts annually, including one side-by-side concert with the Colorado Symphony. Concerts are performed in venues such as Boettcher Concert Hall, area churches, and Gates Concert Hall at The Newman Center. Students receive occasional coachings from Colorado Symphony members or university faculty throughout the season and attend a weekend retreat in September. Recent repertoire includes Tchaikovsky: Symphony No. 5, Mussorgsky: Pictures at an Exhibition, Price: Concert Overture No. 1, and Shostakovich: Symphony No. 5.

Placement in YAO is determined by audition. Membership is open to musicians between the ages of 12 and 23.

YAO rehearses Saturday mornings from 9:00am-12:30pm at the University of Denver’s Lamont School of Music (2344 E Iliff Ave, Denver) throughout the season (approximately August through May).

Conservatory Orchestra

The Conservatory Orchestra (CO) is our intermediate ensemble for students who aspire to grow musically towards YAO. Composed of approximately 60 to 70 members, the Conservatory Orchestra performs three to four concerts annually in conjunction with the String Ensemble and Allegro Strings. Concerts are performed in venues such as Gates Concert Hall at The Newman Center, area churches, and Boettcher Concert Hall. Students receive occasional coachings throughout the season from Colorado Symphony members or university faculty and attend a weekend retreat in September. Recent repertoire includes Arturo Márquez: Danzón No. 2, Rimsky-Korsakov: Capriccio Espagnol, Sibelius: Finlandia, and Mary D. Watkins: Soul of Remembrance.

Placement in the Conservatory Orchestra is by audition. Membership is open to musicians between the ages of 10 and 18.

Conservatory Orchestra rehearses Monday evenings from 6:30pm-8:30pm at Bethany Lutheran Church (4500 E Hampden Ave, Cherry Hills Village) throughout the season (approximately August through May). **On in-person seating audition days, the time may extend to 9pm**

Allegro Strings

Allegro Strings (AS)–DYAO’s newest ensemble–is for young string players who are preparing for more advanced orchestral literature and solidifying ensemble playing techniques. Composed of approximately 20 to 30 members, Allegro Strings performs three to four concerts in conjunction with String Ensemble and Conservatory Orchestra. Students receive occasional coachings from Colorado Symphony members or university faculty throughout the season and attend a one-day retreat in September. Recent repertoire includes Still: Danzas de Panamá (mvt. II), Holst: St. Paul’s Suite (mvt. IV), and Saint-Saëns (arr. Hoffman): Danse Bacchanale.

Placement in Allegro Strings is determined by audition. Membership is open to musicians between the ages of 10 and 16.

Allegro Strings rehearses Monday evenings from 7:00pm-8:30pm at Bethany Lutheran Church throughout the season (approximately August through May).

String Ensemble

The String Ensemble (SE) gives young music students an opportunity to experience the great wealth of string orchestra literature. The ensemble is designed for those who are developing a facility in bowing techniques, reading music, and the use of vibrato. Composed of approximately 20 to 30 members, the String Ensemble performs three to four concerts in conjunction with the Allegro Strings and Conservatory Orchestra. Students receive occasional coachings from Colorado Symphony members or university faculty throughout the season and attend a one-day retreat in September. Recent repertoire includes Soon Hee Newbold: Storm, Susan Day: Spirit of Colorado, and Beethoven (arr. Longfield): “Allegretto” from Symphony No. 7.

Placement in the String Ensemble is determined by audition. Membership is open to musicians between the ages of 7 and 13.

String Ensemble rehearses Monday evenings from 5:30pm-7:00pm at Bethany Lutheran Church (4500 E Hampden Ave, Cherry Hills Village) throughout the season (approximately August through May). ** On in-person seating audition days, call time may be earlier, at 5:00pm**