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Charlotte Symphony Youth Orchestras

 

Join the CSYO!

 
Auditions for the 2021-22 season are now posted! Please click the link below for more information.
 
2021-2022 Audition Requirements

Please contact us at csyo@charlottesymphony.org if you have audition questions.
 
About
The Charlotte Symphony Youth Orchestra experience provides extraordinary music education in pursuit of musical excellence. The program aims to inspire in our students a strong sense of character, discipline, commitment, and community. The ensembles are inclusive, diverse, and accessible to all students, regardless of financial resources. High-quality ensemble training is led by Charlotte Symphony Resident Conductor Christopher James Lees, Youth Philharmonic Interim Conductor Peter Swanson, and professional Charlotte Symphony musicians, who provide a nurturing environment through which young musicians create lasting bonds in music and friendship. We offer regular performance opportunities throughout the city, including the Belk and Knight theaters, plus access to the Charlotte Symphony's renowned Music Director, Christopher Warren-Green and international visiting artists, such as Joshua Bell. 

Follow us @cltsymphonyyo 

  
 
Meet our Conductors


Christopher James Lees serves as the Resident Conductor of the Charlotte Symphony and has 15 years of experience conducting secondary, university, and honors-level orchestras all across the country. In addition to his extensive professional work, he also has served on the college faculties of the University of Michigan, Kent State University, and the University of North Carolina School of the Arts.

The Charlotte Symphony Youth Orchestra Conductor Chair is made possible by a generous gift from The Symphony Guild of Charlotte.


Peter Swanson serves as Interim Conductor of the Charlotte Symphony Youth Philharmonic, and has also served as Principal Guest Conductor of the Lake Superior Chamber Orchestra [MN], and guest conductor for the UNCG Sinfonia. He recently completed a Doctor of Musical Arts Degree at UNCG studying cello with Alex Ezerman and conducting with Kevin Geraldi. He has served as co-director of The Quartet Project [MN], a summer intensive chamber experience for young strings, and served on the faculty of Dorian Summer Music [IA]. He currently serves on the faculty of Guilford College [NC].


A product of community music education himself, CSO Music Director Christopher Warren-Green plays a key role in the Charlotte Symphony Youth Orchestras. Warren-Green makes regular visits to work with both orchestras.
 
Ensembles

Charlotte Symphony Youth Orchestra (CSYO)

 


The Charlotte Symphony Youth Orchestra is our advanced level ensemble, performs professional level symphonic repertoire, and is composed of extraordinary musicians between the ages of 12-18. CSYO musicians will have the opportunity to perform side-by-side with members of the Charlotte Symphony Orchestra.
 
 

Charlotte Symphony Youth Philharmonic (CSYP)




The Charlotte Symphony Youth Philharmonic is our intermediate ensemble, performs advanced high school level repertoire, and is composed of exceptional young musicians between the ages of 8-16.
 
 
 
Coaches

Sectional rehearsals are held frequently throughout the year for both the Charlotte Symphony Youth Orchestra and the Charlotte Symphony Youth Philharmonic. These sectionals offer young musicians the chance to receive coaching by Charlotte Symphony musicians, including the Concert Master and musicians holding principal positions.

 
 
Masterclasses
All masterclasses are hosted by the Charlotte Symphony Youth Orchestra Programs and are welcome to all to attend!

April 4, 2020

Masterclass - Alex Wilborn


Park Road Baptist Church
3900 Park Rd, Charlotte NC 28209
2-3:30 pm

Alex Wilborn is the Principal Trumpet of the Charlotte Symphony, as well as an alum of The Julliard School. His recent achievements include 2nd place in the 2018 National Trumpet Competition Graduate Solo Competition and winner of the 2017 International Trumpet Guild Orchestral Excerpts Competition.

 
 

November 9, 2019

Masterclass - Angelo Xiang Yu


Park Road Baptist Church
3900 Park Rd, Charlotte NC 28209
2-4 pm

Angelo Xiang Yu is the winner of both the 2019 Avery Fisher Career Grant and the 2019 Lincoln Center Award for Emerging Artists, as well as First Prize winner in the 2010 Yehudi Menuhin International Violin Competition.

October 5, 2019

Open Rehearsal - Itzhak Perlman

Belk Theater | 2-4 pm

The legendary Itzhak Perlman joins the CSO for the must-hear performance of the season.  Limited to our CSYO musician and one guest, please join us for an insightful open rehearsal!

March 30, 2019

Masterclass - Paul Huang

Belk Theater

Winner of the 2015 Avery Fisher Career Grant & the 2017 Lincoln Center Award for Emerging Artists. He performed the Dvorak Violin Concerto with the Charlotte Symphony.

January 26, 2019

Masterclass - Lukáš Vondráček 


Knight Theater

Indisputable winner of the International Queen Elisabeth Piano Competition 2016, Lukáš has performed with the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra, BBC National Orchestra of Wales, and many more throughout his career.

November 10, 2018

Masterclass - Victor Wang


Ascension Lutheran Church

Victor Wang is the Principal Flute of the Charlotte Symphony, as well as an alum of Yale University and The Orchestra Now.
 
Photo Gallery
 

Spring Concert

March 7, 2020
Belk Theater

CSYO and CSYP performed their Spring Concert under the direction of Resident Conductor Christopher James Lees, Music Director Christopher Warren-Green, and Youth Philharmonic Conductor Jessica Morel. Students performed works by Elgar, Liszt, Mozart, and more.
 

 

Fall Concert

November 23, 2019
Belk Theater

CSYO and CSYP took the stage at the Belk Theater for their first concert of the 2019-20 season, performing works by Puccini, Dvořák, Mussorgsky, and more!
 
 
 

 

Retreat

October 12, 2019
St. Andrews United Methodist Church

Members from CSYO and CSYP had an exciting day full of music, learning, and fun! Our annual retreat is a great way for students to get to know each other and create lasting bonds through music and friendship.
 
 

Season Finale Concert

May 18, 2019
Knight Theater

The Final Concert of our 2018-19 season took place at the Knight Theater. CSYO and CSYP performed works by Schubert, Corigliano, Dvořák, and more!

PHOTOS
 
 

Winter Concert

December 1, 2018
Belk Theater

CSYO and CSYP performed under the batons of Christopher Warren-Green and Christopher James Lees for a great audience in the Belk Theater. The concert featured works by Haydn, Rossini, Corigliano, and more.

PHOTOS
 
Member Portal

The member portal is only accessible to current CSYO and CSYP members.

Member Portal
 
Contact Us

For more information about this program, please contact: csyo@charlottesymphony.org 704.714.5131

Follow CSYO on Instagram

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