There are several wonderful programs in the city that offer after-school or weekend rehearsals so that young musicians can continue to play in ensembles. You do have to audition for many of these groups, but I can help you prepare for that. Some of the groups listed below are only for high school students, but that will be happening for you before you know it!

Here are some of the best that I've found:

Manhattan Borough-wide Band - This group is specifically for MIDDLE SCHOOL students that meets on weekends to play a variety of concert band music. One of the directors is Pieter Voorhees, a fantastic teacher from NEST+M middle school.

All City Ensemble Program - This is another city-sponsored program that's GREAT! High-School Only... You can audition for the Concert Band, Chorus, Jazz Band, Orchestra, and even a Marching Band! Email Laura Bucko for more information.

Salute To Music Program - This is a city-sponsored program that's GREAT!  Open to students in grades 4–8. Here is a link to register for NEXT year's season (2024-25): LINK. Here is a link with audition requirements: LINK. Rehearsals are on Saturdays from 8:45 AM - 11:45 AM. Email Robert Rams for more information.

Jazz At Lincoln Center Middle School Jazz Academy - Lincoln Center, one of NYC's cultural bastions, offers tuition-free instrumental jazz instruction by members of the JALC jazz faculty.

Jazz House KiDS - This is a community arts organization originally from New Jersey, now in NYC, dedicated to teaching kids through jazz.

Jazz Standard Youth Orchestra - The Jazz Standard, one of NYC's premier jazz clubs, sponsors this incredible program. Students work with NYC jazz musicians and perform LIVE at the Standard every Sunday.

Face The Music at Kaufman Music Center - This is a multi-genre contemporary music education program for teenagers, and the country’s only youth program dedicated to studying and performing post-genre music by living composers.

National Youth Ensembles - This is a tremendous youth orchestra sponsored by the world-famous Carnegie Hall. While the NYO and the NYO Jazz ensembles are for ages 16-19, the NYO2 takes students as young as 14 for an amazing summer program (see below under summer camps).

InterSchool Orchestras of New York City - This organization brings young instrumentalists together for inclusive, ensemble-based music making in a friendly environment. They perform several times a year at NYC institutions.

Brooklyn Youth Music Project - This is a community-based program for young musicians, based (obviously) in Brooklyn.

Saint Bartholomew's Church Youth Chorus - For those of you who want to sing in a chorus, check out this group that performs at world-class venues in NYC and around the world. You can also email the director directly: Jason Roberts, director

Summer Camps!

Manhattan School of Music - MSM Summer provides instruction and performance experience in instrumental music, voice, and composition for students ages 8-17 in a dynamic conservatory setting.  Students develop their musical skills and join a vibrant community of young musicians.

The Summer Arts Institute - SAI is a FREE four-week program for students going into 8-12 grades. This does NOT include the Middle School Arts Boot Camp, which gets students ready to audition for Performing Arts High Schools in NYC. Click here to watch a video about it.

Middle School Arts Boot Camp Students will be coached by NYCPS arts instructors and teaching artists from various cultural arts organizations.  Students will work with NYCPS certified arts teachers and cultural partners' teaching artists to prepare for high school auditions in this FREE two-week summer arts program for NYC Public School students entering 8th grade in September 2024.  Application here.

NYO2 - This is a free orchestra program, sponsored by Carnegie Hall, that comes together alongside NYO-USA and NYO Jazz each summer for intensive training and performance opportunities. NYO2 has a particular focus on recruiting musicians from communities underrepresented in classical music. Minimum age: 14.

NYO Jazz - NYO Jazz gives outstanding young jazz musicians from across the country the opportunity to perform as cultural ambassadors on an international stage, sharing a uniquely American musical genre with cultures around the world through an international tour. Minimum age: 16.

Kinhaven Music School - This is a camp in west Vermont on the site of a former dairy farm.

New York State Summer School of the Arts - This is a camp for high school students that rehearses at Skidmore College in Saratoga, NY.