About the orchestra

The College Park Youth Orchestra was formed in 2006 to help young string players develop their reading and listening skills and to introduce them to the joys of ensemble playing. The orchestral repertoire is carefully selected to challenge the reading abilities of string players from the advanced beginner level to the advanced level.

To best meet the needs of its members, the CPYO comprises three ensembles:

• The Primary Ensemble emphasizes the development of fundamental reading and listening skills while introducing its members to the joys of ensemble playing. No audition is required to join the Primary Ensemble.
• The Intermediate Ensemble offers a more challenging repertoire to students with previous ensemble experience, more technical skill, and greater reading proficiency. Auditions are required for new members of the Intermediate Ensemble.
• The Chamber Ensemble is a select group of advanced musicians, playing works from the standard chamber and orchestral repertoire. New members of the Chamber Ensemble are selected by audition.

The CPYO is a program of the College Park Arts Exchange and is supported by parent and teacher volunteers and by its sponsors.

Dates and times, 2024-2025

The College Park Youth Orchestra meets on scheduled Sundays from September until May. The orchestra performs concerts at the end of the fall, winter, and spring seasons.

Auditions and rehearsals are held in the Old Parish House, 4711 Knox Road (at Dartmouth Avenue), in College Park.

• Primary Ensemble rehearses from 4:15 to 5:30 p.m.
• Intermediate Ensemble rehearses from 5:45 to 7:00 p.m.
• Chamber Ensemble rehearses from 7:15 to 8:45 p.m.

For setting up and tuning, players should arrive 15 minutes early. Players should bring their own music stands to rehearsals.

Auditions for Intermediate and Chamber Ensemble

Sunday, September 8
Audition times will be scheduled after registration.

Fall rehearsals

September 15, 29

October 13, 27

November 10, 24

Fall concert

December 8, 6:30 p.m.

Winter rehearsals

January 5, 12, 26

February 2, 16

March 2

Winter concert

March 9, 6:30 p.m.

Spring rehearsals

March 16, 23

April 6, 13, 27

May 4

Spring concert

May 18, 6:30 p.m.

Membership requirements

All members must be taking lessons apart from CPYO.

Members of the Primary Ensemble are expected to have skills which, at minimum, include reading knowledge of the notes in first position; quarter, eighth, half, and whole notes and rests; and a comfortable physical set-up. Suzuki students should be working on or beyond the Bach Minuets in Book 1.

Members of the Intermediate Ensemble will be competent readers with knowledge of third position and experience with keys of up to three sharps and three flats. It is recommended that students be working on solo repertoire comparable to that in Suzuki Book 4. They will typically have had some previous ensemble experience, such as a prior CPYO year.

Auditions

Auditions are required for new members of the Intermediate and Chamber Ensemble, whether they are entirely new to the CPYO or moving up from another ensemble. Returning members of the Intermediate and Chamber Ensembles, and all members of the Primary Ensemble, need not audition.

Auditions will include, within the limits of available time, sight reading, a prepared solo piece, specified excerpts, and scales, as described below.

Sight reading

At the audition, the student will receive a new piece of music and be asked to play it after just a quick reading.

Prepared solo

The student's prepared solo shows off the student's best playing. Students will usually get help from their instrument teachers to select and prepare their solo pieces.

Excerpts

Auditioning students should download, print, and practice the appropriate excerpt. The student's teacher will be able to help the student prepare the excerpt.

Intermediate Ensemble excerpts:

• Intermediate Violin audition music
• Intermediate Viola audition music
• Intermediate Cello audition music
• Intermediate Bass audition music

Chamber Ensemble excerpts:

• Chamber Violin audition music
• Chamber Viola audition music
• Chamber Cello audition music
• Chamber Bass audition music

Scales

Scale requirements are different for Intermediate and Chamber Ensemble auditions.

Intermediate Ensemble Scales

Scales, with arpeggios, should be played at 2 eighth notes per bow, at a tempo of 60-72 quarter notes per minute.

• Violin:
  2-octave major scales and arpeggios in C, G, D, A, F, Bb, and Eb
• Viola and Cello:
  2-octave major scales and arpeggios in C, G, D, F, Eb
• Bass:
  1-octave major scales and arpeggios in C, G, D, A, F, Bb

Chamber Ensemble Scales

• Violin:
  3-octave major and melodic minor scales and arpeggios, slur 3 notes per bow, in all keys up to 3 sharps and 3 flats: C, G, D, A, F, Bb, Eb, a, e, b, f#, d, g, c
• Viola:
  major and melodic minor scales and arpeggios in all keys up to 3 sharps and 3 flats
  3 octaves, slur 3 notes per bow: C, G, D, F, Eb, e, f#, d, g, c
  2 octaves, slur 4 notes per bow: A, Bb, a, b
• Cello:
  major and melodic minor scales and arpeggios in all keys up to 3 sharps and 3 flats
  3 octaves, slur 3 notes per bow: C, D, Eb, e, d, c
  2 octaves, slur 2 notes per bow: G, F, f#, g, A, Bb, a, b
• Bass:
  2-octave scales in C, G, D, A, F, Bb Major as well as in e and b melodic minor

Fees

Tuition for the year is $375, refundable upon request until the second rehearsal date. Prospective new members of the Chamber Ensemble or Intermediate Ensemble must add a non-refundable $20 audition fee. Checks should be payable to College Park Arts Exchange (CPAE).

The CPYO will provide payment flexibility or financial assistance as necessary to allow every qualified and motivated young musician to participate. You can send your confidential inquiry regarding financial assistance to admin@cpyo.net, or simply leave a note in the online registration form.

How to join

Please register with our convenient online registration. If you cannot register online, please contact us to arrange an alternate method of registration.

CPYO in the news

12/2022: The College Park Here and Now covered the CPYO s return after the pandemic.

3/14/2011: A video report in the College Park Patch showed interviews and concert excerpts.

6/19/2008: Van Caldwell's column in the College Park Gazette featured the CPYO as an exemplary addition to Prince George's County.

12/12/2006: Outlook, the University of Maryland's faculty and staff newspaper, spotlighted Ashleigh Butler, an undergraduate majoring in music performance and music education, who has volunteered her time with the CPYO.

2/23/2006: The College Park Gazette profiled the CPYO shortly after its formation.

Sponsors

The College Park Youth Orchestra is supported in part by generous donations from:

• Gailes' Violin Shop
• Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission
• Prince George's Arts and Humanities Council
• City of College Park
• County Councilmember Eric Olson
• County Councilmember Tom Dernoga

Questions?

Contact a CPYO administrator by e-mailing admin@cpyo.net .