Junior and Honors Orchestras

Welcome, orchestra students! Use the quick links below or browse further down for access to season forms, calendars, repertoire lists, and more.

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2022-2023 Season Details

Rehearsals & Concert Dates
YMMC rehearsals take place every Wednesday. The Junior Youth Orchestra meets from 4:30 - 6 PM, and the Honors Orchestra meets from 6:30-8:30 PM. Rehearsals take place at Hidden Valley Music Seminars, 104 W. Carmel Valley Rd., in Carmel Valley.

For our first concert cycle, rehearsals will start on August 24th, 2022, and run every Wednesday until the first concert on October 30th. (Rehearsals for concert #2 will start on November 9th, the Wednesday following concert #1.)

Our concerts take place at Sunset Center in Carmel. They're held on Sundays starting at 3 pm with dress rehearsal call times starting around 12 noon. More specific information will be sent out prior to each concert date. This year, the dates are:

Concert #1: October 30, 2022 

Concert #2: February 26, 2023 

Concert #3: May 14, 2023

2022-2023 Concerto Competitions
Every concert season, members of the Honors and Junior Youth orchestras may choose to prepare a solo concerto to be performed with the orchestra he or she is in. Students perform their solo work before a panel of judges. The winner usually plays their concerto in the next concert (#2 for Honors, #3 for JYO). If you're interested in taking part in a concerto competition, we encourage you or your private music teacher to contact our music director, Danko Druško, first. He will verify that the concerto is suitable to play in our ensembles before you begin preparing it. Forms and extra information about requirements are available on the website prior to the competition date, but please feel free to reach out to us with any questions now.

Junior Youth Concerto Competition: February 12, 2023, 1-4 pm, held at Hidden Valley Music in Carmel Valley

Retreats?

Retreat dates are in process, we’ll post and announce them when they’re confirmed. During the rehearsal cycles for each concert, YMM orchestras each year take part in 2-weekend retreats at Hidden Valley Music Seminars. It's an opportunity to bond with their fellow musicians, take part in rehearsal and sectional intensives, and learn from fascinating guest musicians who come and present their work.

Retreat Dates: TBA

YMM Gala

This year, YMM is putting on another gala at Hidden Valley Music Seminars, October 2, 2022. It's a season kickoff event with proceeds benefitting all YMMC programs, including our Youth Orchestras, Chamber Ensembles, South County Strings, and Fresh Perspectives series. Please visit our Gala page to learn more about sponsorship and admissions for the gala!

FAQ's

Where can I request tuition and lesson assistance?

You can request financial assistance when you register or go here to see our tuition assistance form or lesson assistance form.

When are auditions?

Video auditions are being accepted now through August 10th. Live, in-person auditions are also being held on August 10th at Hidden Valley. Sign up by emailing Sue at executivedirector@youthmusicmonterey.org

We highly encourage prospective students to audition by that date, so they don't miss the first rehearsal, but don't stress if you're reading this after the deadline--we'll assess individual auditions as they come.