Youth Orchestras in the San Francisco Bay Area
Discover Youth Orchestras and Wind Ensembles in the San Francisco Bay Area
If you’re a high school or young collegiate flute player, consider exploring local youth orchestras to gain valuable performance experience and receive additional coaching. Here’s a comprehensive list of these ensembles, complete with audition deadlines, tuition details, and locations:
California Philharmonic Youth Orchestra:
Location: Saratoga
Auditions: April (rolling auditions available to join mid-season)
Audition Fee: $25
Financial Aid: Available
Tour: Annually
Note: Includes a “Brass Academy” and summer camp.
Berkeley Youth Orchestra:
Location: Berkeley
Auditions: Deadlines not explicitly listed (free to request an audition)
Tuition: $1400
Financial Aid: Yes
California Youth Symphony (CYS):
Location: Palo Alto
Auditions: Apply Jan-March for April auditions
Audition Fee: $30
Financial Aid: Available
Tour: Biannual
Note: CYS also has two wind ensembles.
East Bay Youth Orchestra:
Location: Hayward
Auditions: Ongoing
Tuition: $625
Financial Aid: Yes
Golden State Youth Orchestras (GSYO):
Location: Palo Alto
Auditions: Year-round (if openings available)
Audition Fee: $25
Financial Aid: Available
Tour: Biannual
Note: GSYO has two wind ensembles.
Marin Symphony Youth Orchestra:
Location: San Rafael
Auditions: Application due March 7 ($15 audition fee)
Tuition: $800
Financial Aid: Yes
Tour: First tour was in 2019
Oakland Youth Orchestra:
Location: Oakland
Auditions: Late April through May (free auditions)
Tuition: $350
Financial Aid: Yes
Peninsula Youth Orchestra:
Location: San Carlos
Auditions: Application due April 6, audition due April 27 ($25 audition fee)
Financial Aid: Yes
Tour: Biannual
Sacramento Youth Symphony:
Location: Sacramento
Auditions: Application due May 15