The GBYOA Orchestras

The Greater Baltimore Youth Orchestra

Jason Love, conductor

Since its founding in 1977, the Greater Baltimore Youth Orchestra Association has shaped the musical life of thousands of talented young musicians. After thirty years, the GBYO Association is proud to continue its tradition of fostering in its members a lifelong dedication to great classical music.

Now embarking on its thirty-first season, the program provides study of the same great orchestral literature performed by the world's leading orchestras. This is possible through quality teaching provided by inspiring conductors, guest artists, and periodic instruction by local professionals from orchestras such as the Baltimore Symphony, the Baltimore Opera Orchestra, and the Baltimore Chamber Orchestra. The GBYO Association orchestras offer a wealth of opportunities for young musicians:

• weekly rehearsals on Sunday afternoons
• several concerts each season
• sectionals and coachings with professionals from some of the area's best ensembles
• performances with and by talented guest artists
• musical tours and cultural exchanges
• chamber music
• an annual concerto competition, and much more!

The GBYOA has won awards and acclaim in numerous national and international festivals. Click here to learn more about the cross-cultural component of orchestra's mission.

Youth Orchestra Details:

For more information about the Youth Orchestra or any other ensemble, see the Orchestra FAQ, the Concerts, and the People pages.

The Greater Baltimore Youth Concert Strings

Mary Poling, conductor

The Greater Baltimore Youth Concert Strings provides a high-quality orchestral experience for intermediate string players. Far more than a training orchestra, members of the ensemble study great symphonies, and works of string literature and orchestral repertoire and perform frequently throughout the season.

The orchestra has traveled to Orlando, Florida and performed with distinction. In addition to its concert hall performances with the GBYO, the orchestra performs at local malls, concert series, and retirement communities to share their talents with audiences for whom live performances of classical music is rare. The students also enjoy opportunities for coachings with local professionals, work with guest artists, and participate in chamber ensembles.

Concert Strings Details:

For more information about the Concert Strings or any other ensemble, see the Orchestra FAQ, the Concerts, and the People pages.

The Greater Baltimore Youth Sinfonia Orchestra

Louise Hildreth-Grasso, conductor

Two relatively new ensembles accommodate students who are at an early stage in the study of stringed instruments: the Sinfonietta and the Sinfonia.

These two non-auditioned groups serve late-elementary or early-middle school-aged students who are playing literature from late Suzuki Book 1 through early Suzuki Book 4. The focus is to develop the ensemble playing skills of these students while challenging them to develop their technique on their instrument. All participating students need to be able to read music on all four strings and understand basic rhythm notation. In placing the student in either orchestra, the primary goal is to best serve the student?s educational needs. All decisions regarding orchestra placement of the student are made by the conductor.

The two groups serve two different functions:

Sinfonietta

provides the student with the opportunity to work on music-reading skills as well as having a solid orchestral experience.

Sinfonia

this ensemble is focused on providing a thorough training in orchestral skills.

Since these groups are non-auditioned, we ask private teachers to complete the student assessment on the application form so that we have a better idea of each individual student's level of playing. If the student is not already taking private lessons, a school music teacher may complete the assessment. While private study is not required for participation in the Sinfonia, the GBYO Association highly recommends that each student take private lessons which will enable him or her to make continued progress; private teachers can also assist students with their ensemble music. The GBYO Association maintains a list of private instructors and can help families find a teacher in their area.

The Sunday rehearsal schedule is:

• Sinfonietta: 3:00–4:15p.m.
• Sinfonia: 4:30–6:15p.m.

Sinfonia Details:

For more information about the Sinfonia or any other ensemble, see the Orchestra FAQ, the Concerts, and the People pages.