Craig Madole, program director
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.
Curb Youth Symphony
Nathan Aspinall, artistic director
Beginning in Fall 2023, 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, Blair faculty and guest artist coaches. Rehearsals are 6:35-9:05pm, Mondays. The first rehearsal for Fall 2023 will be August 28. Tuition is $335 per semester. Need-based financial aid is available. For more information, contact Craig Madole.
The Blair-Curb Youth Symphony Concerto Competition will be held the evening of Tuesday, October 3, 2023. The competition is open to members of the Curb Youth Symphony and local-area pianists. Winners have the opportunity to perform as soloist with the Curb Youth Symphony. Email Craig.a.madole@vanderbilt.edu with any questions.
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 have other opportunities to perform such as the We Are Nashville Festival at the Schermerhorn. Audition requirements are the same as for the Curb Youth Symphony. Intensive sectionals are provided by members of the Nashville Symphony, Blair faculty and guest artist coaches. Rehearsals are 2-4:30pm, Sundays. The first rehearsal for Fall 2023 will be August 27. Tuition is $315 per semester. Need-based financial aid is available. 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. Sectional experiences are provided by members of the Nashville Symphony, Blair faculty and guest artist coaches. Rehearsals are 6:30-8:45pm, Tuesdays. The first rehearsal for Fall 2023 will be August 29. Tuition is $305 per semester. Need-based financial aid is available. For more information, contact Tiffany Turner.
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 Tuesday evenings. The first rehearsal for Fall 2023 will be August 29. Tuition is $250 per semester. Need-based financial aid is available. For more information, contact Susan Abell.
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 50-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 meet on Tuesday evenings. Tuition is $250 per semester. Need-based financial aid is available. For more information, contact Susan Abell.
Read more about audition requirements for the Youth Strings and Reading Orchestra.
Registration Information for the 2023-2024 AY
VYO: Repertory Orchestra
The Repertory Orchestra is a full orchestra (woodwinds, brass, percussion, harp and strings) of outstanding high school and middle school students performing arrangements of standard orchestral literature. Membership is open to students in grades 7-12 by audition. The orchestra presents two concerts each year. Rehearsals are 6:30-8:45 p.m. Tuesdays. For more information, contact Cassandra Brosvik.
VYO: Youth Strings Orchestra
The Youth Strings Orchestra provides training for young string students and prepare them for admission into the Repertory Orchestra. Students must be able to read at least Level One music. The Youth Strings Orchestra is open to all string students in Nashville and the surrounding areas by audition and recommendation of the private instructor. The group gives several concerts each season and meets for one 60-minute session weekly.
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 gives two or three concerts each season 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.
VYO: Philharmonia Orchestra
The Philharmonia is a full orchestra (woodwinds, brass, percussion, harp and strings) of outstanding young musicians performing masterpieces of standard orchestral literature. Members of the Philharmonia included students from Tennessee and Kentucky. Membership is open to students in grades 7-12 by audition. Audition requirements are the same as for the Curb Youth Symphony. Rehearsals are 2-4:30 p.m. Sundays. For more information, contact Craig Madole
VYO: Curb Youth Symphony
The Curb Youth Symphony is the most advanced ensemble of the Nashville Youth Orchestra. It performs masterpieces of standard orchestral literature and features winners of the CYS Concerto Competition. Students have the opportunity to work with 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. Membership is open to students in grades 8-12 by audition. The Curb Youth Symphony is sponsored by the Nashville Symphony and the Blair School of Music. Rehearsals are 6:35-9:05 p.m. Mondays. 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 several concerts a 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.
Programs and Classes
- Blair Academy Student Handbook
- Register for Academy Classes
- Scholarships & Financial Aid
- Vanderbilt Youth Orchestras
- Vanderbilt Youth Choirs
- Vanderbilt Suzuki Program
- Private Lessons
- Fiddling
- Chamber Music and Collaborative Piano
- Beginning and Partner Piano
- Music Theory, Aural Skills and Nurturing Mental Health of Musicians
- Musicology and Ethnomusicology
- Blair Hit Songwriter Series
- Parking