Contemporary Youth Orchestra (CYO) includes ensembles that focus on the study and performance of new and contemporary works placing great emphasis on music by living composers. CYO includes a full orchestra, a chamber music program, a Masterclass series, Summer Intensive Drumline Program and a College Audition Preparatory Program. When you audition, you are auditioning for all of CYO's programs. Our program directors and faculty will place you in the ensemble or ensembles that best match your level of playing.

The orchestra is a full orchestra made up of at least 100 students ages 12-18 and representing more than 60 school districts in NE Ohio. The orchestra performs professional-level works by contemporary composers. The ensemble's signature year-end concert pairs a contemporary guest artist like Jason Mraz and Melissa Etheridge with the orchestra to perform well-know popular music on the symphony stage.

The orchestra season follows the school calendar and consists of 3-4 public concerts. Rehearsals are held every Saturday from 8:30 am - 12:30 pm on our home stage at Cuyahoga Community College, Metro Campus. Orchestra members also participate in monthly sectionals led by professional musicians. Sectionals are held on Tuesday evenings with an additional pre-concert dress rehearsal on Thursday immediately prior to a performance.

CYO’s chamber music program helps students achieve musical and technical goals that require greater mastery of their instruments. Each musician joins a small ensemble of two to five members and receives the focused, personalized attention of a dedicated coach for the entire school year. Chamber ensembles perform 3-4 times per year.

Our Chamber Music Program includes two different levels: Advanced and Intermediate. Our Advanced Chamber Section is comprised of our best students who are specifically chosen based on technical proficiency. The Advanced level is designed for students who play at the highest level and/or who plan to pursue music beyond high school. The Chamber experience is distinct, and our Advanced level will elevate students' technical and artistic ability.

The Intermediate Level is designed for students who seek experience playing in smaller ensembles and who are looking to improve their skills through small-group training with expert coaches. The student to teacher ratio in this program is low, giving coaches the ability to tailor rehearsals and performances to the specific needs of students.

Both levels meet weekly on Tuesday evenings from 6:30 pm - 8:30 pm. Rehearsals take place at our home facility at Cuyahoga Community College, Metro Campus.

You can audition for CYO from the comfort of your home! CYO is accepting Video Auditions this year due to current restrictions on public gatherings. Use any equipment that you have at home (your phone, camera, computer, tablet, etc) to record your audition, upload your audition as an unlisted video to YouTube, email us the link to your video, and you are all set!

Familiarize yourself with the audition requirements and practice each of the elements. We recommend you warm up before you begin your recording. We also recommend that you practice doing your recording so that you are familiar with the equipment you are using and feel comfortable and relaxed once you do the final video.

If you would like feedback from our team members before you submit a final video audition, you can send us a mock audition video. You should approach the mock audition video the same way you approach the final video. Play all of the required elements and give us your best! When you email us the link to your unlisted YouTube video, please let us know that the link is to your "pre-assessment audition video." We will provide you with feedback within 2-3 business days. After you receive feedback, you can send us the final audition video any time prior to the May 31 deadline.

Members of CYO's team will review your audition video. You will be placed in the ensemble or ensembles most appropriate for your level of playing. You will receive notification of your audition results via email no more than 2 weeks after you submit your final audition video.

CYO has simplified our audition requirements to make it easier for you to record and submit your audition video. Your audition video only needs to include the following items that are listed in your instrument’s Audition Packet: 1. A solo piece; 2. The required excerpt(s) listed in the Packet; 3. One (1) major scale and one (1) melodic minor scale of your choice and style.

You may choose from two levels of Audition Packets: Advanced and Intermediate. Advanced Packets include more challenging excerpts than Intermediate Packets, and we encourage you to consult with your Private Instructor and School Orchestra or Band Director to decide which level you should select.

We recognize that this may be your first audition, and we are giving you two different levels to choose from to make your audition more comfortable. Your choice will not influence the panelists' judgment of your audition. All students will be considered for all CYO ensembles.

No. Memorization is not necessary. We want you to feel as comfortable as possible during your recording.

No. While we understand your solo work most likely includes an accompaniment part, we just want to hear you with no accompaniment.

These are unprecedented times. We are all waiting to see when and how we will be able to get back to making music with our students. CYO is with you. Whatever the future looks like for music education, we want to help bring unique opportunities and experiences to all students, regardless of ability to pay tuition. As we know more about what the Fall will look like, we will be able to provide more information about tuition. We will not, however, turn any student away for financial reasons.

CYO is a strong supporter of school music programs, and believes these programs are the foundation of our music community. CYO is an extended outlet for music and artistic growth and not a substitute for a school music program. If a student is homeschooled or your school doesn’t have an orchestra or band program, then this requirement doesn’t apply. If you have a REQUIRED class during orchestra or band, a note excusing you from orchestra or band is necessary from your school guidance counselor and/or orchestra or band director. It is expected that students will discuss their schedules and opportunities with their orchestra or band director to be able to make the best decision for their individual situation.