Join Us!

We'd love to have you join our group! 

To apply to our program, please fill out our registration form.

Group Expectations:

Tuition:

Pay your $100 tuition through your local school's finance office before the third rehearsal (September 19, 2023). Explain that you're paying for the District Youth Orchestra and be sure to get a receipt. Students who have not paid their membership fee by the first concert will have a fine placed on their school account. If a student quits the group partway through the year, their membership is not refunded or partially refunded, and if they join late their membership fee is not reduced.

Participation in school ensemble:

Because we are a group that is supplemental to the music programs of the district, all students participating in the Nebo Youth Orchestra must also be in good standing in their school program. This means that string players must be enrolled in their school orchestra class and wind/brass/percussion players must be enrolled in their school band class, or have written permission from the band/orchestra teacher at their school to participate. Eligibility will be checked both at the beginning of the year and after the semester break to determine that students are still in good standing with their school program; ineligible students will be dropped from the group and their membership fee will not be refunded. Homeschool students are welcome to participate.

Attendance:

Since there are only six rehearsals per concert cycle, students with three or more unexcused absences per concert cycle will be dropped from the group and students with three or more excused absences per concert cycle will not be allowed to perform until the next concert cycle. To be excused from rehearsal, students must communicate regarding their absence before they are absent (except in cases of emergency) and must get their music to rehearsal even if they cannot personally attend. No refunds will be issued for members dropped from the group.

Nebo Youth Sinfonia and Nebo Youth Philharmonic:

The Nebo Youth Sinfonia is primarily for less experienced players (grades 7-10). The repertoire for the ensemble will typically be grade 2-3 in difficulty, so students younger than 7th grade can only participate if they have the requisite ability. The Nebo Youth Philharmonic is designed primarily for high school players (grades 10-12). The repertoire for the ensemble will typically exceed grade 3 in difficulty, so players younger than 10th grade must formally audition to move up from Sinfonia. Students in grade 10 may self-select which ensemble suits their ability level best. By the third rehearsal, students may no longer switch ensembles. 

Music and equipment:

Students are responsible to take care of any music, folders, or other equipment belonging to the youth orchestra. Any lost or damaged music, folders, or other equipment must be replaced at the student's expense. Typically, each sheet of music is $5 to replace and folders are $15, so it is important that students treat these materials with care. Music folders will no longer be taken home for practice. Students will have digital access to the music to practice at home. Other than percussionists/pianists, all students are expected to bring their own instruments to rehearsal each week. It may be possible to rent larger instruments, such as string bass, cello, or tuba, from SHHS, provided there are sufficient instruments available to rent.

Concerts:

The Nebo Youth Orchestras typically perform three formal Tuesday-evening concerts in the year (Fall, Winter, Spring). These concerts are held at the various high schools throughout the district and typically last about an hour each. Additionally, they perform at the State Youth Orchestra Festival, held at Abravanel Hall each March, and have a performing tour of the middle schools and junior high schools of Nebo School District in February.

Concert attire:

All students in both the Philharmonic and the Sinfonia wear the same concert attire, concert black, to all performances. Concert black is defined as black dress shoes, black socks, black suit pants, white dress shirt, black bow tie, and black suit coat (gentlemen) and black dress shoes, black socks/stockings/etc., black slacks/black skirt with black blouse or black dress (ladies). No student should wear hats or items that would draw attention to a particular player (i.e. no ostentatious jewelry, bows, etc.). 

Behavior and demeanor:

Being part of the youth orchestra is a rewarding musical experience, filled with new friendships and a lot of fun. It is important that all members of the ensemble treat each other with respect and kindness. Bullying and harassment have no place in the orchestra. Students should also come to rehearsal ready to learn, both physically prepared with instrument, music and pencil, and mentally prepared, having practiced at home and focused on responding to the directions from the conductor.