
Junior and Honors Orchestra Info
Welcome JYO & HO Students and Families! Use the quick links below or browse further down for access to season information, calendars, competitions, and more.
2025-2026 Season Details
Rehearsals & Concert Dates
YMMC rehearsals take place on Wednesdays. The Junior Youth Orchestra (JYO) meets from 4:30 - 6 PM, and the Honors Orchestra (HO) meets from 6:30-8:30 PM. Rehearsals are at Hidden Valley Music Seminars, 104 W. Carmel Valley Rd., in Carmel Valley.
HO Placement Auditions will take place on August 20th, 2025 at the YMM Office at 546 Hartnell St., Suite B in Monterey. JYO Placement Auditions will take place in September 2025, official date TBD.
Rehearsals will start on August 27th, 2025 and run every Wednesday. See the full
JYO/HO Season Calendar here.
Google Calendar
Click the link for your student's ensemble to add the ensemble-specific calendar to your personal calendar app.
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JYO Calendar: http://tiny.cc/JYOcalendar
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HO Calendar: http://tiny.cc/HOcalendar
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JYO&HO Combined Calendar: http://tiny.cc/JYOHOcalendar
Our concerts take place at Sunset Center in Carmel. They're 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:
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Concert #1 Sunday November 16, 2025
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Concert #2 Sunday March 1, 2026
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Concert #3 Sunday May 10, 2026
2025-2026 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/she is in. Students perform their solo work before a panel of judges. The Honors Concerto Competition will be an open competition with a panel of judges and open to audience members to listen. The competition winner typically plays their concerto in the next concert (Concert #2 for Honors, Concert #3 for JYO), however this concert order is not a guarantee. If you are interested in taking part in a concerto competition, we encourage you or your private music teacher to contact our music director first to 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.
Honors Concerto Competition Auditions:
Saturday October 18th, 2025 1-4 PM
Application due by 5:00 p.m. September 30, 2025
Junior Youth Concerto Competition Auditions:
Saturday, February 14th, 2026 1-4 PM
Application due by 5:00 p.m. January 20, 2026
Both Concerto Competitions will take place at Carmel Presbyterian Church (Junipero St & Ocean Ave, Carmel-by-the-Sea)
Retreats
During the rehearsal cycles for each concert, YMM orchestras each year take part in 2-day retreats at Hidden Valley Music Seminars or another location. 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
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Saturday October 4th, 2025
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Sunday October 5th, 2025
*Ensemble & Rehearsal Schedule TBD
FAQ's
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Where can I request tuition and lesson assistance? You can request financial assistance when you register or go here to see our tuition assistance or lesson assistance forms.
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When are auditions? Live, in-person auditions are generally held each May and August. Exact dates and locations are posted here on the Audition page. Auditions at other times are allowed at the discretion of YMMC's Music Director. Please inquire by email to office@youthmusicmonterey.org.
Other questions?
Send an email to office@youthmusicmonterey.org.
Tuition
Forms
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Audition (For new students and current students changing ensembles)
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Registration (Required yearly)
Program Information
Honors Open Concerto Competition
Audition will be held:
Saturday October 18, 2025 1-4 PM
Carmel Presbyterian Church
Junior Youth Concerto Competition
Audition will be held
Saturday, February 14, 2026 1-4 PM
Carmel Presbyterian Church
JYO Concerto Competition Rules & Application 2025-2026
Honors Orchestra Concerto Competition Rules & Application 2025-2026