Symphony School offers youth musicians, grade 4-12, who are advanced beginning to intermediate skill level, opportunities designed to develop good technique, advanced sound production on their instrument, and music literacy skills in keeping with the national standard repertoire for youth symphonies. Symphony School musicians should be able to read music at a beginner level.
Symphony School offers performing ensembles and classes, preparing young musicians, step by step, for participation in AYO’s highest level performing group, the Anchorage Youth Symphony, as well as for greater musical achievement in other community and school music programs. AYO has rallied our unique breadth and depth of expertise to support the Symphony School. Participating musicians will receive professional conducting, and intensive coaching from highly qualified music education and performance professionals. We are proud of this exciting expansion!
AYO’s Symphony School Ensemble program is generously funded in part
by the Richard L and Diane M Block Foundation.
Spring 2024
Ensemble Screenings
New submissions for the Spring Session will be accepted through Wednesday, Feb. 14
Returning musicians:
If you participated in our Fall 2023 session, please complete the Returning Musician Form, then complete STEPS 2 and 5 on the Registration section below.
(Returning musicians do NOT need to submit another screening unless attempting to move between ensembles)
First time applicants:
Online video submissions are now open!
Screenings are completed via video submission through GetAcceptd.com:
– Visit GetAcceptd.com and signup for an account
– Once logged in, search for “Alaska Youth Orchestras”
– Select Symphony School program and your instrument
– Start your application
(Note: If this is your first time making a GetAcceptd account, and you encounter an Account Verification issue, please submit the Applicant Support Request Form. GetAcceptd’s support team will get back to you within the next business day.
For general assistance with your screening submission, please contact AYO Operations Manager Zach Akins.)
Notes:
– There will be a nonrefundable screening fee of $35
– Screening requirements include a short bio, a solo (approx. 90 seconds), and 2 scales (your choice).
– All who screen are placed in an ensemble if they meet the age and skill requirement (advanced beginner and above).
Spring 2024 Session rehearsals will take place Sunday, Feb. 25 – Sunday, Apr. 28, 2024
Dress Rehearsal: Friday, May 3 at 5:30pm
AYO Spring Celebration Concert: Saturday, May 4 at 7:00 pm
Eligibility: 4th – 12th grade, ensemble assignments completed through required screening
Rehearsals: Sunday evenings 4:30-5:45 pm or 6-7:15 pm (depending on assignment)
Location: Rehearsals are held at the UAA Fine Arts Building, ARTS 124
Fee: The Symphony School Ensemble Spring 2024 Session fee is $225
SYMPHONY SCHOOL
SPRING 2024 REGISTRATION
STEP 1: GetAcceptd.com
(If you are a returning musician from the Fall, please skip to STEP 2.)
Log into www.getAcceptd.com. New and required fields will now be available since you’ve been accepted. Click “CONTINUE” that appears next to “Alaska Youth Orchestras, home of the Anchorage Youth Symphony” on your musician’s account. Complete the additional information needed to finalize your registration. Your work will be automatically saved as you progress. Note: This is where you can indicate if you’d like to apply for a tuition scholarship at appropriate point in the registration process. If you select “yes” additional fields will open for you to fill in the additional requested information to process scholarship applications.
STEP 2: Tuition
Spring 2024 Tuition is $225. Special arrangements are available if a one-time payment isn’t possible. Please contact the AYO office to make these arrangements.
STEP 3: Media Release
(If you are a returning musician from the Fall, you may skip this step).
Complete and submit the AYO 2023-24 Media Release.
STEP 4: Weekly Email
(If you are a returning musician from the Fall, you may skip this step).
Subscribe to the WEEKLY EMAIL with your musician’s email AND at least one parent email. The Weekly Email is sent every Friday at 6 pm. This is the primary method of communicating ALL important information. You must receive this email as a part of your participation in Symphony School. NOTE: Check your junk/spam/promotions folders to find the weekly email if you’ve signed up but it doesn’t get to your inbox. Once you find it, select the option that will allow your software to remember it is a safe email. It is vital that you receive and read this email every Friday at 6 pm.
STEP 5: Calendar
Review the 2024 Spring Session Calendar and SAVE THE DATES. The Calendar is located on the Symphony School page of our website. Rehearsals take place every Sunday, 4:30-5:45 pm (Prelude Ensemble) and 6:00 – 7:15 pm (Overture Ensemble). Rehearsals are held at UAA’s Fine Arts Building, 3700 Alumni Dr., unless otherwise noted (parking in the adjacent lot is free on Sundays). Concerts will take place at The Alaska Center for the Performing Arts, 621 W 6th Ave., unless otherwise noted.
If you have any questions or need help completing your registration, please contact AYO Operations Coordinator Zach Akins by EMAIL or phone: 907-538-6406.
Sponsor a Musician or Section
We invite you to show your support and enthusiasm for AYO by sponsoring the concert, your musician, or their section. With this unique, tax-deductible gift, you can let your child, grandchild, friend, student, etc., know how proud you are of their AYO accomplishments and musical accomplishments.
All musician sponsors are listed in entire season of concert programs.