Programs for all levels
The North Carolina Youth Orchestra provides performing opportunities for student musicians with existing playing experience and educational programming for aspiring young musicians with no musical experience. Our goal is to provide the means, resources, and opportunity for our community youth to take their first steps on their musical journey to performing on stage for vast audiences.
No experience required
NCYO’s beginning strings class is the perfect fit for students just starting their music education journey. The goal of the Prelude Strings is to introduce and develop the skills needed for orchestral playing in a fun and enjoyable environment.
Rehearsals · Saturday mornings (violin) and Tuesday evenings (violin / viola & cello) at Bailey Middle School
An incredible and unique opportunity for upper elementary and middle school brass players to receive instruction from some of the area’s finest brass musicians. This beginner-focused semester program features classes for trumpet, horn, trombone, tuba, and euphonium and boasts a faculty comprised of exclusively Juilliard alumni.
Rehearsals · Mondays 5:30–7:00pm at Bailey Middle School
An incredible and unique opportunity for beginner woodwind players to receive instruction from some of the area’s finest wind musicians. This beginner-focused program features classes for flute, clarinet, saxophone, oboe, and bassoon, with robust instruction on fundamentals and instrument-specific technical insights.
Rehearsals · Mondays 5:30–7:00pm at Bailey Middle School
An incredible and unique opportunity for aspiring young percussionists to receive instruction from one of the Charlotte region’s finest percussionists and educators, Jordan McCray. This beginner-focused program features instruction on the full range of percussion instruments.
Rehearsals · Mondays 6:00–7:30pm at Bailey Middle School
Where the path leads: the full Youth Orchestra on stage.
Audition-based
Featuring musicians from all four instrument families, the Orchestra is NCYO’s premier group. The youth orchestra plays various concerts throughout each semester, performing repertoire for full orchestra.
Rehearsals · Tuesdays 6:30–8:30pm at Bailey Middle School
The perfect opportunity for intermediate and advancing string musicians to further develop their orchestral playing. Under the direction of Jen Bassett, this group performs a wide variety of musical genres.
Rehearsals · Tuesdays 6:30–8:00pm at Bailey Middle School
Our premier brass program connecting elite instruction with more experienced brass youth musicians in the local area. Directed by Tom Burge of the Charlotte Symphony Orchestra. Placement is determined by an audition via video submission.
Rehearsals · Mondays 7:15–8:45pm at Bailey Middle School
Our premier woodwind program and an exclusive opportunity connecting elite instruction with more experienced woodwind youth musicians. Directed by Sam Sparrow of the Charlotte Symphony Orchestra and Queens University. Placement is determined by an audition via video submission.
Rehearsals · Mondays 7:15–8:45pm at Bailey Middle School
Directed by Stephanie Wilson, principal timpanist with the Fayetteville Symphony, the Percussion Ensemble brings together experienced young percussionists for full-section repertoire.
Rehearsals · Tuesdays 6:30–8:30pm at Bailey Middle School
NCYO’s intermediate brass ensemble is the perfect fit for brass students looking to learn ensemble skills, building excellent fundamental technique while being introduced to chamber ensemble playing. Directed by Andrew Fierova of the Charlotte Symphony Orchestra and Davidson College.
Rehearsals · Mondays 7:15–8:45pm at Bailey Middle School
NCYO’s intermediate woodwind ensemble is the perfect fit for wind students looking to learn ensemble skills, building fundamental technique while being introduced to ensemble playing. Directed by Nick Ritter of the Charlotte Symphony Orchestra.
Rehearsals · Mondays 7:15–8:45pm at Bailey Middle School
A beginning-to-intermediate strings ensemble under the direction of Julia Fierova. Students receive technical instruction and the opportunity to develop ensemble-playing skills in a fun and enjoyable environment among other strings musicians.
Rehearsals · Tuesdays 6:45–8:15pm at Bailey Middle School
A welcoming choral program for young singers that emphasizes musical excellence, joyful participation, and community through singing. Singers develop healthy vocal technique, musicianship, and ensemble skills. Launching January 2026.
Rehearsals · Tuesdays 7:20–8:30pm at Bailey Middle School
