Our philharmonic orchestra is typically our largest orchestra and contains a full compliment of strings, percussion, woodwinds, horns, and brass.  The players are typically in the 9th grade or younger. Older first time players who attend middle school are placed in the YO orchestra until they master the basic repertoire. 

The music played by this group is more advanced and typically compares to the music taught in high school orchestra programs around the city. The use of 2nd up to 5th positions is expected for string players. Bow control and bow division techniques are required in order to produce a greater sound and volume in the orchestra. Woodwinds and Brass instruments should be able to play in C concert pitch and possess legato for long lasting phrases.

Our conductor, Dr. Alicja Usarek is a professor of music at Colin College.

 
Sample Repertoire from previous programs has included:

• Brahms - Symphony 4
• Rimsky-Korsakov - Themes from "Scheherazade"
• Gershwin - Summertime
• Riverside Dream - Cheng-Hua Sun