Youth Orchestras in the San Francisco Bay Area
Here is a comprehensive list of youth orchestras and wind ensembles in the San Francisco Bay Area, including audition deadlines, tuition information, location and more.
If you are a high school or young collegiate brass player, it is a great idea to look into a local youth orchestra to build performance experience and receive additional coaching.
Begin your audition preparation at least a couple of months in advance, consider taking lessons, and be sure to talk to your parents about what to expect should you be accepted. While joining a youth orchestra is likely to be a rewarding experience, it’s important to be prepared for the time, parental driving, and potential financial commitment.
As a brass player, it’s important to look into what repertoire the orchestra will play, to see if you would be playing much as a brass player in the ensemble.
Keep in mind this list collects information from websites in April 2021. For future years, this information may not be completely accurate. If you have additional groups or information to add to this list, feel free to let us know!
California Philharmonic Youth Orchestra
Location: Saratoga
Auditions: April. Rolling auditions available to join mid-season
Audition Fee: $25
Tuition: doesn't appear on website
Financial Aid: Yes
Tour: Yes, annually
Other: Includes "Brass Academy" and Summer camp
Berkeley Youth Orchestra
Location: Berkeley
Auditions: Deadlines not explicitly listed.
Audition Fee: Free to request audition
Tuition: 1400
Financial Aid: Yes
Tour: not on website
California Youth Symphony
Location: Palo Alto
Auditions: Apply Jan-March for April Auditions
Audition Fee: $30
Tuition: doesn't appear on website
Financial Aid: Yes
Tour: Biannual
Note: CYS also has two wind ensembles
East Bay Youth Orchestra
Location: Hayward
Auditions: Auditions ongoing
Audition fee: free
Tuition: 625
Financial Aid: Yes
Tour: Appears not
Fremont Youth Symphony Orchestra
Location: Fremont
Auditions: Not explicitly listed. Accepting as of April 2021
Audition Fee: $25
Tuition: doesn't appear on website
Financial Aid: Yes
Tour: not on website
Golden State Youth Orchestras
Location: Palo Alto
Auditions: Year round, if openings available
Audition Fee: $25
Tuition: doesn't appear on website
Financial Aid: Yes
Tour: Biannual
Note: GSYO has two wind ensembles
Marin Symphony Youth Orchestra
Location: San Rafael
Auditions: App due March 7
Audition Fee:$15
Tuition: $800
Financial Aid: Yes
Tour: First was in 2019
Oakland Youth Orchestra
Location: Oakland
Auditions: Late April thru May
Audition Fee: free
Tuition: $350
Financial Aid: Yes
Tour: no
Orchestra Gradus Ad Parnassum
Location: Fremont
Website currently broken (April 2021)
Peninsula Youth Orchestra
Location: San Carlos
Auditions: App due April 6, Audition due April 27
Audition fee: $25
Tuition: doesn't appear on website
Financial Aid: Yes
Tour: Biannual
Sacramento Youth Symphony
Location: Sacramento
Auditions: App due May 15. Auditions due end of May
Audition fee: Yes, amount not clear
Tuition: 1340
Financial Aid: Yes
Tour: Yes
Note: App fee waived for first 250 applicants
San Francisco Symphony Youth Orchestra
Location: San Francisco
Auditions: App due April 15, Auditions after May 1
Audition fee: free
Tuition: free
Tour: Yes
Note: Spot must be open to audition. Fall auditions available
Santa Clara Van Guard Youth Brass Ensemble
Location: Santa Clara
Auditions: February
Audition fee: $5
Tuition: $75
Tour: No.
Santa Cruz Youth Symphony
Location: Santa Cruz
Auditions: Auditions due late August
Audition fee: appears free
Tuition: 825
Financial Aid: Yes
Tour: Appears not
Silicon Valley Youth Symphony
Location: Sunnyvale
Auditions: May and January deadlines.
Audition Fee: not listed on website
Tuition: not listed on website
Financial Aid: not listed on website
Tour: not listed on website
Other: Includes "Brass Academy" and Summer camp
Sunset Youth Orchestra
Location: San Francisco
Auditions: Dates not listed
Audition Fee: Appears free
Tuition: $740
Financial Aid: not listed on website
Tour: Yes
Young People's Symphony Orchestra
Location: Berkeley
Auditions: App deadlines April 15 and June 1
Audition fee: appears free
Tuition: 1600
Financial Aid: Yes
Tour: Yes
Note: Spot must be open to audition