Craig Madole, director
Email craig.a.madole@vanderbilt.edu to schedule an audition for all VYO ensembles.
The Vanderbilt Youth Orchestras have been an integral part of the Blair Academy since 1972. Comprising eight orchestras, the program draws outstanding young musicians from throughout Tennessee, Kentucky and Alabama. The Vanderbilt Youth Orchestras are open by audition to students in the third through the 12th grades. The VYO provides a high-quality orchestral experience at all levels, in addition to a fun, supportive and challenging learning environment. Members of the VYO have the opportunity to work with professional conductors and coaches from the Blair School of Music faculty and the Nashville Symphony. Students accepted for membership are encouraged to be in good standing in their school's music organizations. For information about becoming a part of VYO, contact Craig Madole.
Summer 2023
Vanderbilt Youth Orchestra Summer Intensive
Craig Madole, director
Sunday, July 9 - Thursday, July 13
The VYOSI features an intensive orchestral experience, professional repertoire, master classes, sectionals and a final concert. Open by audition to students in grades 8–12.
Tuition: $250
Summer Young Artists Orchestra
Tiffany Turner, director
Sunday, July 9 - Thursday, July 13
This exciting orchestra experience will include rehearsals, master classes and more. Open by audition, students in grades 7–12 will prepare a full concert to be performed at the Blair School of Music.
Tuition: $250
Summer Camp Audition Information
Fill out the online application here (available 5/10-6/4)
If you are a current or former Repertory Orchestra, Philharmonia, or Curb Youth Symphony member, then you do not need to submit an audition video unless you would like to.
If you are new to the Vanderbilt Youth Orchestras Program, then you will be able to upload an unlisted YouTube link or cloud drive link(dropbox, google drive, etc.) of your audition video to the application form. If sharing a drive link, please make sure the video is accessible. Audition videos should be one and a half to two minutes of a prepared solo or excerpt.
Summer camp schedules will be added soon.
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Curb Youth Symphony
Nathan Aspinall, artistic director
Beginning in Fall 2022, Nathan Aspinall, the associate conductor of the Grammy-winning Nashville Symphony Orchestra, will also serve as conductor and artistic director of the Curb Youth Symphony (CYS) at Vanderbilt Blair. This is the most advanced ensemble in the VYO program, and draws students from all over the region. As the presenting orchestra for the Curb Concerto Competition and collaborating ensemble for the Nashville Symphony Orchestra side-by-side experience, concerts will be held at Blair and the Schermerhorn. An intensive sectional experience is coached by members of the NSO and Blair faculty. Rehearsals are 6:35-9:05pm, Mondays. The first Spring 2023 rehearsal is January 15 (MLK observed on Monday, January 16). Tuition is $195 per semester. For more information, contact Craig Madole.
Read more about audition requirements for Curb Youth Symphony.
Philharmonia Orchestra
Craig Madole, director
The Philharmonia is a full orchestra (woodwinds, brass, percussion, harp and strings) of outstanding young musicians performing masterpieces of standard orchestral literature. Membership is open to students in grades 8-12 by audition. Philharmonia will perform each semester and perform with the We Are Nashville Festival Orchestra at the Schermerhorn during the Spring semester. Audition requirements are the same as for the Curb Youth Symphony. Sectionals are provided by members of the Nashville Symphony Orchestra and Blair faculty. Rehearsals are 2-4:30pm, Sundays. The first Spring 2023 rehearsal is January 15. Tuition is $195 per semester. For more information, contact Craig Madole.
Read more about audition requirements for Philharmonia Orchestra.
Repertory Orchestra
Tiffany Turner, director
Repertory Orchestra is a full orchestra experience (woodwinds, brass, percussion, strings) with students performing arrangements of standard orchestral repertoire. This ensemble is open by audition to students in grades 6-12. Sectionals are provided by members of the Nashville Symphony Orchestra and Blair faculty. Rehearsals are 6:30-8:45pm, Tuesdays. The first rehearsal during Spring 2023 is January 17. Tuition is $195 per semester.
Read more about audition requirements for the Repertory Orchestra.
Youth Strings Orchestra and Reading Orchestra
The Youth Strings Orchestra provides training for young string students and prepares them for admission into the Repertory Orchestra. The Youth Strings Orchestras are open to all string students in Nashville and the surrounding areas by audition and recommendation of the private instructor. These ensembles perform a concert each semester and meet on Monday evenings. Rehearsals: Mondays 7:15-8:15pm. Tuition is $195 per semester. For more information, contact Craig Madole.
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 each semester and meets for one weekly 45-minute session weekly. It is open to all string students in Nashville and the surrounding areas by audition and recommendation of the private instructor. Rehearsals: Mondays 6:15-7:00pm. Tuition is $195 per semester. For more information, contact Craig Madole.
Read more about audition requirements for the Youth Strings and Reading Orchestra.
Registration Information for the 2022-2023 AY
VYO: Repertory Orchestra
Repertory Orchestra is a full orchestra experience (woodwinds, brass, percussion, strings) with students performing arrangements of standard orchestral repertoire. This ensemble is open by audition to students in grades 6-12. Sectionals are provided by members of the Nashville Symphony Orchestra and Blair faculty. Rehearsals are 6:30-8:45pm, Tuesdays. The first rehearsal during Fall 2022 is September 6. Tuition is $195 per semester. Director, Tiffany Turner
VYO: Youth Strings Orchestra
The Youth Strings Orchestra provides training for young string students and prepares them for admission into the Repertory Orchestra. The Youth Strings Orchestras are open to all string students in Nashville and the surrounding areas by audition and recommendation of the private instructor. These groups give a concert each semester and meet for one 60-minute session weekly. Rehearsals: Mondays 7:15-8:15pm. Tuition is $195 per semester. For more information, contact Craig Madole
VYO: Reading Orchestra
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 each semester and meets for one weekly 45-minute session weekly. It is open to all string students in Nashville and the surrounding areas by audition and recommendation of the private instructor. Rehearsals: Mondays 6:15-7:00pm. Tuition is $195 per semester. For more information, contact Craig Madole
VYO: Philharmonia Orchestra
Philharmonia is a full orchestra (woodwinds, brass, percussion, harp and strings) of outstanding young musicians performing masterpieces of standard orchestral literature. Membership is open to students in grades 8-12 by audition. Philharmonia will perform each semester and serve as the We Are Nashville Festival Orchestra at the Schermerhorn. Audition requirements are the same as for the Curb Youth Symphony. Sectionals are provided by members of the Nashville Symphony Orchestra and Blair faculty. Rehearsals are 2-4:30pm, Sundays. The first Fall 22 rehearsal is September 11. Tuition is $195 per semester. For more information, contact Craig Madole
VYO: Curb Youth Symphony
Beginning in Fall 2022, Nathan Aspinall, the associate conductor of the Grammy-winning Nashville Symphony Orchestra, will also serve as conductor and artistic director of the Curb Youth Symphony (CYS) at Vanderbilt Blair. This is the most advanced ensemble in the VYO program, and draws students from all over the region. As the presenting orchestra for the Curb Concerto Competition and collaborating ensemble for the Nashville Symphony Orchestra side-by-side experience, concerts will be held at Blair and the Schermerhorn. An intensive sectional experience is coached by members of the NSO and Blair faculty. Rehearsals are 6:35-9:05pm, Mondays. The first Fall 2022 rehearsal is September 12. Tuition is $195 per semester. For more information, contact Craig Madole.
VYO: Beginning Reading Orchestra
The Beginning Reading Orchestra develops music-reading skills and introduces the fundamentals of orchestral playing and music theory. The Beginning Reading Orchestra performs each semester and provides the opportunity to learn in a fun and challenging environment. It is open to all string students in Nashville and the surrounding areas by audition. Rehearsals: Mondays 5:30-6:15pm. Tuition is $195 per semester. For more information, contact Craig Madole
Programs and Classes
- Blair Academy Student Handbook
- Register for Academy Classes
- Scholarships & Financial Aid
- Vanderbilt Youth Orchestras
- Blair Children’s Chorus
- Blair Suzuki Program
- Private Lessons
- Fiddling
- Chamber Music and Collaborative Piano
- Beginning and Partner Piano
- Music Theory and Musicianship
- Musicology and Ethnomusicology
- Blair Hit Songwriter Series
- Parking