Our Programs
Featuring musicians from all four instrument families, the Orchestra is CYO’s premier group. The youth orchestra plays various concerts throughout each semester, performing repertoire for full orchestra. Rehearsals are from 6:30-8:30pm on Tuesdays at Bailey Middle School.
The brand new Philharmonic is the perfect opportunity for beginning to intermediate level musicians to be introduced to the full orchestra experience! Under the direction of Jen Bassett, this group will perform a wide variety of musical genres. Rehearsals are from 6:30-8:00pm on Tuesdays at Bailey Middle School.
Directed by Julia Fierova, CYO’s entry-level string orchestra is the perfect fit for students just beginning their music education journey. Students learning a string instrument are invited to play along with their peers having 0-2 years experience. Rehearsals are from 8:30-10:00am on Saturdays at Bailey Middle School.
The CYO Brass Ensemble is our premier brass program connecting elite instruction with more experienced brass youth musicians in the local area. The ensemble is directed by Andrew Fierova, a member of the Charlotte Symphony Orchestra and horn professor at Davidson College. Placement in the ensemble will be evaluated and determined by an audition via video submission. Rehearsals are on Mondays from 5:30-7pm at Bailey Middle School.
CYO’s entry-level brass ensemble is the perfect fit for brass students just beginning their musical journey. Students in the Junior Brass Ensemble will be given the necessary tools to achieve excellent fundamental technique while being introduced to chamber ensemble playing. Rehearsals are on Mondays from 7:15-8:45pm at Bailey Middle School.
The Brass Challenge provides an incredible and unique opportunity for middle school brass players to receive instruction from some of the area’s finest brass musicians. This beginner-friendly course features classes for trumpet, horn, trombone, tuba, and euphonium and boasts a faculty comprised of exclusively Juilliard alumni. Students will be given robust instruction on fundamentals and valuable instrument-specific technical insights. Participants will leave the program more equipped with the knowledge and tools needed for long-term success playing their instrument. Don’t miss out!
The CYO Woodwind Ensemble is our premier woodwind program and is an exclusive opportunity connecting elite instruction with more experienced woodwind youth musicians in the local area. The ensemble is directed by Sam Sparrow, a member of the Charlotte Symphony Orchestra and instructor at Queens University. Placement in the ensemble will be evaluated and determined by an audition.
The Woodwind Challenge is the perfect program for woodwind musicians just getting started. Under the direction of Sam Sparrow and Nick Ritter of the Charlotte Symphony Orchestra, students will learn the fundamentals of playing their instrument, including proper posture, breathing techniques, fingerings, and basic music theory. Register today to reserve your spot!