The Greater Houston Youth Orchestra consists of three levels of orchestras.
The Orchestra
The GHYO Orchestra is composed of many of the finest players in the Greater Houston area. It plays major orchestral works such as the Shostakovich Fifth Symphony and Dvorak New World Symphony. To be in the orchestra you must be between the age of 13 and 19, participate in your own school orchestra, take private music lessons, and audition. The audition consists of two scales, 4 minutes of prepared music of your choice, and sight-reading.
The Philharmonic
The GHYO Philharmonic is roughly middle school age young musicians from approximately 10 to 15 years of age. They play substantial orchestral works, such as the Schubert "Unfinished" Symphony, and excerpts from Bizet's Carmen. To participate, you must participate in your own school orchestra, take private lessons, and audition. The audition consists of two scales, 4 minutes of prepared music of your choice, and sight-reading.
The String Ensemble
The GHYO String Ensemble is for grade school children approximately 8 to 12 years of age. It plays very attractive string orchestra works that are challenging for children of this age, but yet sound like substantial orchestra works. To participate, you must participate in your own school orchestra, take private music lessons, and audition. The audition consists of two scales, 4 minutes of prepared music of your choice, and sight-reading.