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.

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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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