November 20th YP Newsletter

Fantastic concert on Sunday, YP! We have a concert recording available here!

YP is now on break! Rehearsals resume January 11th. We won't send out emails every Thursday through break, but will send one out if we have something to share!

WINDS/BRASS: We have mandatory chair placement auditions open until December 7th. Read on to learn more!

You will find in this email:

• MANDATORY FOR WINDS/BRASS: Chair Auditions! DUE DEC. 7th
• Strings and Percussion: no audition, but view your music for next semester!
• OAYO Chamber Music Institute - Applications now open!
• Mid-Season Auditions - INVITE YOUR FRIENDS TO JOIN OAYO!
• FREE Omaha Symphony Masterworks Ticket Code
• OAYO Dashboard

Chair Auditions for Winds/Brass - Due December 7th!

YP Winds/Brass: Chair auditions are now open! These are mandatory for all winds/brass musicians: everyone must submit an audition.

STRINGS: your principal chair auditions will be at a later date. However, feel free to download your music and start practicing your parts! Find that in step 2 below.

Winds/Brass: follow these steps to complete your audition!

Step 1) View your excerpts here! Excerpts are from your upcoming music for the spring semester. There will be one excerpt per piece (three total).

Step 2) Download your music here! Practice the excerpts from each piece and prepare to record.

Step 3) Record your excerpts as directed in the Submittable form here! Upload them to the form and... you're done!

We ask that these are in no later than December 7th, so that part assignments can be finalized in a timely manner.

OAYO CMI Applications Open for High School Musicians!

The Chamber Music Institute is an intensive five-day small ensemble experience for advanced high school players (woodwinds, brass, strings, percussion, and voice). Groups will be coached, and some may be joined, by professional musicians and educators.

Rehearsals will be from June 1-June 4, with a final concert on June 5th.

Who can apply?

All students (including those not in OAYO!) completing grades 9-12 by June 1, 2026, including graduating seniors. Applicants must submit recordings of scales, a solo, and excerpts.

The deadline to apply is Thursday, February 19, 2026. Notification of acceptances will be sent in March.

Cost: Voluntary Tiered pricing structure (you choose what you pay). The true cost of the program is $200 per student. Selected students will select a payment of $200, $175, $150, or $100 after notification of selection.

Mid-Season Auditions - Invite your friends to join OAYO!

Know someone who would be a good fit to join OAYO?

Pass along this link to them! https://conta.cc/4hxQyA8

Mid-Season Auditions are open through December 28th! We'd love some more students in OAYO! Word-of-mouth is the best way folks hear about us. We appreciate the help in getting the word out about mid-season auditions! Feel free to share with your school, All-State ensemble musicians, private lesson studios, or with anyone that may be interested in joining us. Mid-Season Auditions are open through December 28th!

Auditions are open for:

Youth Symphony (YS)

Rehearse Sundays from January to May, 1:30 - 3:30 P.M with conductor Dr. Matthew Brooks

• Typically students in grades 9-12 who demonstrate the full range of abilities specific to their instrument.

Auditions are open for:

• French Horn
• Trombone
• Tuba
• Percussion
• Violin

Youth Philharmonic (YP)

Rehearse Sundays from January to March, 4 - 6 P.M with conductor Debbie Martinez.

• Musicians typically in grades 7-12 who demonstrate an expanded set of abilities specific to their instrument.

Auditions are open for:

• Bassoon
• French Horn
• Trumpet
• Trombone
• Tuba
• Percussion
• Viola
• Bass

Youth Concert Strings (YCS)

Rehearse Sundays from January to March, 4:15 - 6 P.M with conductor Rose Rydberg.

• An intermediate level, string orchestra.
• Typically includes students in grades 4-8.

Auditions are open for Cello and Bass only

Omaha Symphony Free Masterworks Tickets

A reminder that the Omaha Symphony has a generous offer to all OAYO families and students: two free tickets to EACH Omaha Symphony Masterworks concert!

To view the concert schedule, free ticket code, and instructions, view the flier below.

Want more than two tickets? We would also like to remind you that the Omaha Symphony offers two $10 tickets for students AND teachers for all performances! Learn more on their website here!

OAYO Dashboard

The Student/Family Dashboard has all important links you'll need. We encourage you to bookmark it!

Find these on the Dashboard:

• Your ensemble's schedule for the next rehearsal (updated weekly)
• Links to the weekly email newsletter (updated every Thursday)
• Season Calendar
• Absence Request Form
• Links to your Music Folder (Use password oayoYP2526 to access the folder!)
• OAYO Handbook