Click here for the Youth Orchestra season information.
Click here to see the instruments for beginners.
Spring 2012 Classes begin on Tuesday January 17th and Saturday January 21st. For Spring 2012 Semester, Beginners must sign up and be in class no later than January 31st (Tuesday) or February 4th (Saturday).
Every year, almost 800 children play in the DC Youth Orchestra Program, making it the largest youth orchestra in the Washington area. The DCYOP offers a comprehensive music education program that serves young people in the greater DC metropolitan area. Instruction is available for all orchestra and wind ensemble (band) instruments; beginning, intermediate, and advanced students, ranging in age from 4 1/2 to 19 (up to age 21 in the Youth Orchestra only). Students participate in classes for their individual instrument or section, and also participate in one of 9 major ensembles (orchestra or band). There are a total of 12 ensembles in the program: 2 full orchestras, 4 string orchestras, 3 wind ensembles, 2 string orchestras, and multiple class ensembles. Some students in upper levels also participate in smaller chamber ensemble opportunities as they arise. Click here to see the instrument families!
| Instrument | Minimum age |
| Violin | 4 ½ |
| Viola | 4 ½ |
| Cello | 7 |
| String Bass | 10 |
| Harp | 10 (with 2 years piano) |
| Recorder | 4 ½ |
| Flute | 8 |
| Oboe | 8 |
| Clarinet | 8 |
| Saxophone | 8 |
| Bassoon | 8 |
| Trumpet | 8 |
| French Horn | 8 |
| Trombone | 8 |
| Tuba | 10 |
| Percussion | 8 |
| Guitar | 10 |
