Dayton Philharmonic Youth Orchestras

Each year the Dayton Philharmonic Orchestra offers talented young musicians the opportunity to perform fine orchestral literature and further develop their musical talents through participation in the orchestra’s long-standing Youth Orchestra programs. Chosen through competitive audition, the students in the Dayton Philharmonic Youth Orchestra, the Dayton Philharmonic Youth Strings and the Dayton Philharmonic Junior Strings hail from 30 different schools throughout the Greater Dayton area and surrounding communities.

The DPVA provides financial assistance to help our musicians with their participation fees, sectional coaches, acquiring music, college scholarships and summer music awards.

Dayton Philharmonic Youth Orchestra

Founded in 1937 by Paul Katz, the Dayton Philharmonic Youth Orchestra brings together the greater Dayton area’s most gifted young orchestral musicians, providing the opportunity to study and perform a broad range of orchestral repertoire. The DPYO is committed to inspiring an overall cultural awareness and appreciation of music in its members and audiences, strengthening our region’s existing school music programs, and helping stimulate interest in the development of school orchestral programs where none exist.

Led by DPAA Assistant Conductor, Dr. Patrick Reynolds, DPYO performs three concerts each season and was invited to perform at the 2002, 2004, and 2006 Ohio Music Educators Association conferences. The Youth Orchestra regularly appears on the Dayton Philharmonic’s DP&L Family Concert Series. The DPYO is supported by the Dayton Philharmonic Orchestra Association, the Association of Parents and Friends of the Dayton Philharmonic Youth Orchestra, and by the Dayton Philharmonic Volunteer Association. The DPYO is affiliated with the Youth Division of the American Symphony Orchestra League.

Thanks to the Dayton Philharmonic Volunteer Association, the DPYO members receive summer music awards and college scholarships. The DPVA also provides funds for the cost of music, sectionals, and tuition assistance.

Dayton Philharmonic Youth Strings

The Dayton Philharmonic Youth Strings was established in 1982 with the support of Mrs. Virginia Kettering, to provide musical enrichment and advanced concert experience for string students in grade 6-12. The ensemble is comprised of students form over 20 different schools and homeschools from the greater Dayton area.

Students in the Youth Strings will perform challenging original string literature. Regularly performing Winter and Fall concerts, DPYS often performs additional concerts throughout the year for senior centers and at community events.

DAYTON PHILHARMONIC JUNIOR STRINGS
The newest addition to our youth orchestra programs is a training orchestra for our youngest musicians, the Dayton Philharmonic Junior Strings. Young string players who are looking for an ensemble in which to improve their skills will find the perfect place in the DPJS.