CMS Orchestras & Ensembles

Community Music School orchestras and ensembles are structured to enhance students’ skills beyond individual performance and to support the education process in school music programs. CMS orchestras and ensembles meet during the academic year at the CMS Center on the main campus at Webster University. At this time all rehearsals and concerts are scheduled to take place in-person.Download the Orchestras & Ensembles 2021-22 brochure.

 

ALL* Auditions 2021-2022 will be online by video submission.
Audition Submission Deadline:  August 30th. 

*YPOP auditions will be in-person.  Preparatory Program auditions can be either online or in-person.  High School Jazz Ensemble auditions are by appointment.

Preparatory Program Application

CMS orchestra


Average age: 7-10 years

String Ensemble

Beginning String Ensemble. Emphasizes reading and ensemble skills. 
Tuition:  $450

Audition Information

• Violin, Viola, Cello

Rehearsals and Concerts

 


Average age is 9-14 years

String Orchestra

Intermediate String Orchestra. Emphasizes ensemble playing and literature.  Strong preparation for YPCO.
Tuition: $450

Audition Information

• Violin, Viola, Cello, Double Bass

Rehearsals and Concerts

 


Students through high school

Young People's Concert Orchestra (YPCO)

Full Orchestra. Emphasizes development of ensemble skills, intonation, rhythm, and sight reading. Performs original and arranged orchestral literature. 
Tuition: $570

Audition Information

• Violin, Viola, Cello, Double Bass, Piccolo, Flute, Oboe, Clarinet, Bass Clarinet, Bassoon, Horn, Trumpet, Trombone, Tuba

Rehearsals and Concerts

 


Students through high school

Young People's Symphonic Orchestra (YPSO)

Advanced Full Orchestra. Performs orchestral literature in its original form.  All members are eligible and invited to audition for the YPSO Concerto Competition.
Tuition: $570

Audition Information

• Violin, Viola, Cello, Double Bass, Piccolo, Flute, Oboe, Clarinet, Bass Clarinet, Bassoon, Horn, Trumpet, Trombone, Tuba

Rehearsals and Concerts

 


Students through high school

Young People's Orchestra Percussion (YPOP)

Percussionists for the YPCO and YPSO ensembles; one-on-one/small-group coaching; large ensemble rehearsals; emphasizes fluency, proficiency and technique on orchestral percussion.
Tuition: $342

Audition Information

• Orchestral Percussion Instruments

Rehearsals and Concerts

High school students interested in pursuing a major or minor in music

Preparatory Program (Prep)

Pinnacle of the sequential orchestra program, Prep is an intensivew program for developing well-rounded young musicians by offering high-caliber chamber music coaching from professional musicians and more.   21-22 Preparatory Program Application

Audition Information

violin, viola, double bass, flute, clarinet, bassoon, french horn, piano

Rehearsals & Concerts

 


Students in grades 8 - 12

Webster University High School Jazz Ensemble

Webster University, well-known for its innovative jazz studies program offers a program for rising young jazz musicians to work on improvisation, ensemble interaction, and personal musicianship. This program is administered in partnership with the Community Music School.
Tuition: $510

Audition Information

Brass, Woodwind, and String instruments plus a rhythm section of Guitar, Vibraphone, Piano, Drum Set, Latin Percussion, and Bass (electric or acoustic).

Rehearsals and Concerts