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At San Diego Youth Symphony (SDYS), we offer every student musician at any level the opportunity to participate in one of our 12+ orchestras and wind ensembles.

Sameer Patel, SDYS Artistic Director conducts

ORCHESTRAS & BANDS FOR THE 23 – 24 SEASON

Season begins September 2023

BEGINNER LEVEL – Beginning Strings, Debut Strings & Debut Winds

Students in these ensembles are provided a musical and social foundation and are for musicians with roughly 0-2 years of experience.

BEGINNING STRINGS

Conductor: Marife Biares
Rehearsals: Saturdays in Balboa Park, 3:30-5:00PM
Tuition Cost: $700
Age Requirement: Ages 7 – 11
Grade Requirement: 2nd grade – 6th grade
23-24 Season Calendar

*No experience required for Beginning Strings

DEBUT STRINGS

Conductor: Lowri Casimiro
Rehearsals: Saturdays in Balboa Park, 1:15-2:45PM
Tuition Cost: $700
Age Requirement: Ages 7 – 13
Grade Requirement: 2nd grade – 8th grade
23-24 Season Calendar

DEBUT WINDS

Conductor: Valerie McElroy
Rehearsals: Saturdays in Balboa Park, 1:15-2:45PM
Tuition Cost: $700
Age Requirement: Ages 7 – 13
Grade Requirement: 2nd grade – 8th grade
23-24 Season Calendar

LATE-BEGINNER LEVEL – Overture Strings & Overture Winds

Students in these ensembles have at least 1-2 years of experience and are continuing to develop technical, musical, and collaborative skills.

OVERTURE STRINGS

Conductor: Lowri Casimiro
Rehearsals: Saturdays in Balboa Park, 11:00-1:00PM
Tuition Cost: $850
Age Requirement: Ages 8 – 15
Grade Requirement: 3rd grade – 10th grade
23-24 Season Calendar

OVERTURE WINDS

Conductor: Valerie McElroy
Rehearsals: Saturdays in Balboa Park, 3:00-5:00PM
Tuition Cost: $850
Age Requirement: Ages 8 – 15
Grade Requirement: 3rd grade – 10th grade
23-24 Season Calendar

EARLY-INTERMEDIATE LEVEL – Symphonic Strings, Concert Strings & Concert Winds

Students in these ensembles have at least a few years of experience playing their instruments. These young musicians are continuing to develop strong technical and musical skills and are beginning to improve their group listening skills.

SYMPHONIC STRINGS

Conductor: Ulli Reiner
Rehearsals: Saturdays at Balboa Park, 8:45-10:45AM
Tuition Cost: $850
Age Requirement: Ages 8 – 15
Grade Requirement: 3rd grade – 10th grade
23-24 Season Calendar

CONCERT STRINGS

Conductor: Tamara Paige
Rehearsals: Saturdays at Balboa Park, 1:15-3:15PM
Tuition Cost: $900
Age Requirement: Ages 10 – 18
Grade Requirement: 5th grade – 12th grade
23-24 Season Calendar

CONCERT WINDS

Conductor: Jessica Swift
Rehearsals: Sundays at Balboa Park, 3:30-5:30PM
Tuition Cost: $900
Age Requirement: Ages 10 – 18
Grade Requirement: 5th grade – 12th grade
23-24 Season Calendar

LATE-INTERMEDIATE LEVEL – Philharmonia, Wind Symphony & Sinfonia

Students in these ensembles have at least four years of experience playing their instruments. They are expected to have a solid foundation in their technical and musical abilities and are focusing on achieving more musical maturity as a group.

PHILHARMONIA

Conductor: Jessica Swift
Rehearsals: Sundays at Balboa Park, 1:15-3:15PM
Tuition Cost: $900
Age Requirement: Ages 10 – 18
Grade Requirement: 5th grade – 12th grade
23-24 Season Calendar

SINFONIA

Conductor: Anthony Kim
Rehearsals: Sundays at Balboa Park, 11:00-1:00PM
Tuition Cost: $900
Age Requirement: Ages 12 – 18
Grade Requirement: 7th grade – 12th grade
23-24 Season Calendar

WIND SYMPHONY

Conductor: James Sepulvado
Rehearsals: Sundays at Balboa Park, 12:15-2:15PM
Tuition Cost: $900
Age Requirement: Ages 12 – 18
Grade Requirement: 7th grade – 12th grade
23-24 Season Calendar

ADVANCED LEVEL – Symphony Orchestra

Students in this ensemble are expected to have many years of musical training, and are focused on playing professional- level repertoire, while also cultivating advanced group musical, technical, and listening skills.

SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA

Conductor: Sameer Patel
Rehearsals: Sundays at Balboa Park, 3:30-6:30PM
Tuition Cost: $1050
Grade Requirement: 9th – 12th grade
Maximum Age: 18 years
23-24 Season Calendar
San Diego Youth Symphony