Youth Orchestra

Central Ohio’s aspiring young instrumentalists in grades 9-12 perform in this ensemble directed by Peter Stafford Wilson, Associate Conductor of the Columbus Symphony Orchestra. The 100-member orchestra has students from 36 high schools in over 20 counties. Members are selected through a competitive audition process annually in April/May.

Sponsored by the Columbus Symphony Orchestra, the organization emphasizes the performance of standard orchestral literature with special emphasis on American music under the leadership of a professional conductor with regular advice from coaches from the Columbus Symphony Orchestra.  Weekly rehearsals during the school year are carried out under professional standards, and the members are expected to take private lessons and maintain leadership responsibilities in their school ensembles.  

The orchestra performs an extensive series of concerts including three subscription programs at its home, The Capitol Theatre at the Vern Riffe Center in downtown Columbus.  In 1998, the orchestra was one of six chosen worldwide to appear at the 1998 Banff International Youth Orchestra Festival in Banff, Alberta, Canada.  During the summer of 1999, it made its first European tour, performing highly acclaimed concerts in Germany, Austria and the Czech Republic.  Returning to Dresden Germany in 2000, the orchestra developed an exchange relationship with the Heinrich Schultz Konservatorium, a community music school that boasts 8000 students.  In June of 2005, the orchestra embarked on an extensive 15-day tour of the Peoples Republic of China and Hong Kong performing in 5 different cities, including a concert atop the Great Wall of China.

The Orchestra has appeared at regional conferences of the Ohio Music Educators Association, and the national conferences of the Music Educators National Conference and the American Symphony Orchestra League.  In 1998, the Orchestra released its first CD recording featuring Shostakovich’s Symphony No. 5, and its concerts are regularly re-broadcast on WOSU-FM.  Artists appearing with the Orchestra in recent seasons have included Dave Brubeck, Andrew Carlson, Gregory Fulkerson, Andreas Henkel, Marilyn Nims, Stephen Secan, Charles Wetherbee, Eugenia Zuckerman, Caroline Hong and Linda Nolan.

Cadet Orchestra

The Cadet Orchestra, under the direction of Mark Sholl and assistant conductor Dr. Jim Bates, is comprised of students in grades 7-10.  A highlight of the Cadet Orchestra is an overnight retreat in early September.  The orchestra performs some unabridged classical works, some arranged for student orchestra and includes some pieces of a popular/film genre.

Chamber Strings Orchestra

The Chamber Strings Orchestra, under the direction of Dr. Robert Gillespie, is comprised of talented string players in grades 6-9.  This ensemble benefits from a symbiotic relationship with The Ohio State University’s School of Music students and the middle school-age members.

Junior Strings Orchestra

Under the direction of Sara Given, the mission of Junior Strings is to encourage the technical and musical development of young string players in grades 3-6 throughout Central Ohio.  The orchestra is designed to foster the growth and development of string and orchestral experiences for young people in Central Ohio.

Columbus All City Orchestra

Also under the direction of Peter Stafford Wilson, this ensemble provides a full-orchestra experience exclusively for high school students enrolled in the Columbus City School district.  Late winter auditions are held for participation in weekly rehearsals which begin in April and culminate with a concert in a university or downtown venue. This is a tuition-free ensemble.

Summer Pops Youth Orchestra

The Columbus Symphony Youth Orchestras will hold it’s second annual Summer Pops Camp July 18-23 culminating in a performance prior to the CSO Popcorn Pops Concert on Friday, July 23 at Chemical Abstracts Service. Peter Stafford Wilson conducts this full orchestra which is open to all 2009-2011 Youth and Cadet Orchestra members. The week long camp, lasting four hours a day, will rehearse at the Steinbrenner Band Center (home of the OSU Marching Band!) on the campus of The Ohio State University. Students will participate in sectionals led by Columbus Symphony musicians, activities on the Ohio State campus, a tour of the football stadium, observe a Columbus Symphony Orchestra rehearsal and will receive complimentary tickets to the Popcorn Pops concert on July 23..