Curb Youth Symphony & Nashville Youth Orchestra Program
The Nashville Youth Orchestra Program encompasses eight orchestras at all skill levels, drawing outstanding young musicians from throughout Tennessee, Kentucky and Alabama. All orchestras are open by audition to students in the third through the 12th grades. NYOP auditions are scheduled in August. Additional auditions for the five string orchestras are also held in January. (See contact information below.) Students accepted for membership are encouraged to be in good standing in their own school music organizations. The Nashville Youth Orchestra Program provides unique opportunities to experience masterpieces of orchestral literature and to work with professional coaches and conductors.
The orchestras
Curb Youth Symphony
Director: Carol Nies
Rehearsals: 6:35-9:05 p.m. Mondays, beginning January 13. All rehearsals in Instrumental Rehearsal Hall, Blair School of Music
The Curb Youth Symphony is the most advanced ensemble of the Nashville Youth Orchestra Program. It performs masterpieces of standard orchestral literature and features winners of the CYS Concerto Contest on each concert. Students will have the opportunity to work with both Nashville Symphony Orchestra members and Blair School of Music faculty members in section rehearsals and master classes. An annual CYS/NSO Side-By-Side Concert is performed at the Schermerhorn Symphony Center. Members of the CYS include students from Tennessee, Alabama and Kentucky. Curb Youth Symphony is sponsored jointly by the Nashville Symphony and the Blair School of Music. Tuition: $175 per semester. Contact Carol Nies for more information.
Take a look: Photos of the Curb Youth Symphony in action!
Register via our online portal
2019-20 CYS Concerto Competition application and information sheet
Download the Fall 2019 schedule
Audition information
Philharmonia Orchestra
Director: Craig Madole
Rehearsals: 2-4:30 p.m. Sundays, beginning January 12. All rehearsals are in Music Rehearsal Hall (124 28th Ave. S.)
The Philharmonia is a full orchestra (woodwinds, brass, percussion, harp and strings) of outstanding young musicians performing masterpieces of standard orchestral literature. Students will have the opportunity to work with Blair School of Music faculty and Nashville Symphony Orchestra members in section rehearsals and master classes. Members of the Philharmonia include students from Tennessee and Kentucky. Membership in the Philharmonia is open by audition. Audition requirements are the same as for the Curb Youth Symphony. Tuition: $175 per semester. Contact Craig Madole for more information.
Audition information
Register via our online portal
Nashville Repertory Orchestra
Director: Cassandra Brosvik
Rehearsals: 6:30-8:45 p.m. Tuesdays, beginning January 7. All rehearsals are in Instrumental Rehearsal Hall at Blair School.
The Repertory Orchestra is a full orchestra (woodwinds, brass, percussion and strings) of outstanding middle school and high school students performing arrangements of standard orchestral literature. Students have the opportunity to work with Blair School of Music faculty and Nashville Symphony Orchestra members in section rehearsals and master classes. Membership in the Repertory Orchestra is open by audition. Tuition: $175 per semester. Contact Cassandra Brosvik for more information.
Audition information
Register via our online portal
Youth Strings Orchestras (three sections)
Director: Celeste Tuten
Rehearsals:
YSO I: 5-6 p.m. Tuesdays, Room 2190, beginning January 7
YSO II: 6-7p.m. Tuesdays, Room 2190, beginning January 7
YSO III: 7-8 p.m. Tuesdays, Room 2190, beginning January 7
The Youth Strings Orchestras provide training for young string students and prepare them for admission into the Repertory Orchestra. Students must be able to read at least Level 1 music. These groups perform two or three concerts each season and meet for one 60-minute session weekly. They are open to all string students in Nashville and surrounding areas by audition and the recommendation of the private instructor. Tuition: $175 per semester.
Audition information
Register via our online portal
Download the 2019-20 syllabus
Reading Orchestra
Director: Celeste Tuten
Rehearsals: 7-8 p.m. Thursdays, Room 2190, beginning January 9
The Reading Orchestra focuses on strengthening string students' music-reading skills. This class also introduces fundamentals of orchestral playing and music theory. This ensemble performs two or three concerts each season and meets for one 60-minute session weekly. It is open to all string students in Nashville and the surrounding areas by audition and recommendation of the private instructor. Tuition: $175 per semester.
Audition information
Register via our online portal
Download the Fall 2019 syllabus
Beginning Reading Orchestra
Director: Celeste Tuten
Rehearsals: 6-7 p.m. Thursdays, Room 2190, beginning January 9
The Beginning Reading Orchestra introduces fundamentals of orchestra playing and music theory, and develops music-reading skills. It is open by audition to all string students in Nashville and the surrounding areas. Tuition: $175 per semester.
Audition information
Register via our online portal
Download the Fall 2019 syllabus
2020 Summer Orchestras at Blair
2020 Nashville Summer Orchestral Institute
Dates: Monday, May 25-Friday, May 29
Carol Nies, director
The 2020 Nashville Summer Orchestral Institute at Blair will feature the NSOI Concerto Competition, an intensive orchestral experience, master classes, section rehearsals and a final concert featuring the Concerto Competition winner. Faculty will include Blair professors and Nashville Symphony Orchestra members. The NSOI is open by audition to students in grades 8-12, college students, graduate students and adults. See the NSOI page for more information, online audition instructions and the online application.
For more information, contact Dr. Carol Nies.
2019 Summer Young Artists Orchestra
Dates: June 10-14
Craig Madole, director
The 2019 Summer Young Artists Orchestra will include rehearsals, master classes, section rehearsals, and a final concert featuring all participants. Faculty will include Blair professors and Nashville Symphony Orchestra members. The SYAO is open by audition to students in grades 6-12. See the SYAO page for more information, online audition instructions and the application.
2019 Summer Strings!
Celeste Halbrook Tuten, director
Young string players (grades 3-11) are invited to participate in our six-week Summer Strings program.
Beginning Reading Orchestra
6 p.m. Thursdays, May 30-July 11
Reading Orchestra
7 p.m. Thursdays, May 30-July 11
Youth Strings Orchestra
YSO I: 5 p.m. Tuesdays, June 4-July 9
YSO II: 6 p.m. Tuesdays, June 4-July 9
YSO III: 7 p.m. Tuesdays, June 4-July 9
Contact Celeste Tuten at 615-746-5212 or email her for more information or to schedule an audition.
Tuition: $85