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Join us on Sunday, March 1st at 3:00 PM at Sunset Center in Carmel for an inspiring afternoon of music as our young musicians dive deep into the emotionally rich pieces by classical masters in Hidden Depths , the second concert of our season. Our students take on the challenge of bringing to life the passion, struggle, and beauty inherent in every melody. This concert brings together students from across our programs for a performance that celebrates growth, collaboration, and artistry. This concert will feature our Honors Orchestra Concerto Competition winner, Katherine Lin , who will perform Max Bruch’s Violin Concerto. Katherine’s performance promises to be a highlight of the afternoon, showcasing both technical brilliance and expressive depth. Honors Concerto Winner Katherine Lin performing during the Honors Concerto Competition The concert will also feature a special collaboration between our South County Strings  students as they perform along side our Junior Youth Orchestra on Jeremiah Clarke's Prince of Denmark’s March . This side-by-side performance highlights our commitment to building the musical community, giving younger students the opportunity to share the stage. South County Strings students joined the Junior Youth Orchestra in rehearsal in preparation for their upcoming performance The Junior Youth Orchestra  will also present Schubert’s Unfinished Symphony , offering audiences a chance to experience the lyricism and drama of one of the most beloved works in the orchestral repertoire. Meanwhile, the Honors Orchestra  will perform Mendelssohn’s The Hebrides (Fingal’s Cave) , capturing the sweeping power and atmosphere of this iconic tone poem. Bringing the program together, both orchestras will perform selections from Tchaikovsky’s Swan Lake , filling the hall with some of ballet’s most recognizable and enchanting music. The Junior Youth and Honors Orchestra get ready to take the stage in the second concert of the season, Hidden Depths , on March 1st at 3:00 pm at the Sunset Center. We invite families, friends, and community members to join us for this exciting afternoon celebrating the dedication and talent of our young musicians. We hope to see you there! Follow the link to purchase your ticket! https://www.youthmusicmonterey.org/event-info/hidden-depths

Our Honors Orchestra students are thrilled to join the Monterey Symphony on stage for a special side-by-side performance of The Hebrides (Fingal's Cave) by Felix Mendelssohn this weekend on Saturday, February 21st at 7:30 pm and Sunday, February 22nd at 3:00 pm at the Sunset Center. Side-by-side concerts offer these young musicians a rare and meaningful opportunity to rehearse and perform alongside professional orchestral players. Our students benefited from sectional coaching with several of the Monterey Symphony's own musicians earlier this month and will rehearse with MSO's Music Director Jayce Ogren later this week. Throughout this process, our students have gained invaluable insight into high-level artistry, ensemble collaboration, and the high standards of professional performance. Monterey Symphony Violinist Nigel Armstrong works with YMM Honors Orchestra Upper Strings students in sectionals on February 4th at Hidden Valley Music Seminars. We are incredibly proud of our Honors Orchestra students for all of the hard work they have put in to rise to the occasion and represent our program onstage with such dedication and artistry. We extend our sincere thanks to the Monterey Symphony for welcoming our students into their orchestra and fostering the next generation of musicians through collaboration and mentorship. Principal Flutist Dawn Walker works with YMM Honors Orchestra Woodwind students in sectionals on February 4th at Hidden Valley Music Seminars. We hope you'll join us in celebrating and supporting our students as they take part in this memorable performance! Follow the link below or click the button to go to the Monterey Symphony website to purchase tickets for performances on Saturday, February 21st or Sunday, February 22nd: https://www.montereysymphony.org/events/schubert-mass-and-haydns-london/

Happy New Year! This year's MCGives! campaign ends soon, but the impact of your donation to Youth Music Monterey County will be felt well into the New Year! If you have not already, please donate to YMMC through MCGives! to increase your donation with their match. Best Wishes for the New Year! Donate now and build the next generation through music. MCGives! ends at 11:59pm December 31, 2025. www.montereycountygives.com/ymm

Youth Music Monterey County supports two orchestras, a chamber music program, a brass ensemble, a woodwind ensemble, and in-school teaching and performance opportunities. Our Junior Youth and Honors Orchestras are led by conductor Maestro Danko Druško and feature approximately 100 student musicians. Ready to play? Join our Junior Youth & Honors Orchestras for the 2026-2027 Season! • Auditions May 12 & 13 Get Started Here Join us for our next Junior Youth Orchestra & Honors Orchestra concert Songs My Mother Taught Me Featuring Benjamin Goldoust, violin Winner of the 2026 JYO Concerto Competition and students from Orchestra in the Schools Sunday May 10, 2026 | 3 PM Sunset Center, Carmel Songs My Mother Taught Me Sun, May 10 Sunset Center Buy Tickets Play With Us! Featuring talented young musicians from over 30 local schools, YMMC's Junior Youth and Honors Orchestras present three acclaimed symphonic concerts at Sunset Center each year. Auditions for the Junior Youth and Honors Orchestras take place throughout the season. If you’re interested in auditioning please contact office@youthmusicmonterey.org or fill out an audition form . Auditions for the 2026-2027 will be Tuesday, May 12th and Wednesday May 13th. Three chamber music programs, including the Chamber Players , Brass Ensemble , and Woodwind Ensemble , focus on the intensive study of small-group music and give back to their communities through benefit concerts. Our South County Strings program with over 200 students each year in rural South Monterey County communities with free group string instruction and low-cost instrument rentals. Orchestra In The Schools offers Monterey County children in grades 3-8 in Monterey County an opportunity to learn an instrument, be part of an orchestra and perform with students from other schools. This can be your child’s first musical experience, no experience is necessary. About Us Upcoming Events Songs My Mother Taught Me Sun, May 10 Sunset Center +5 more Buy Tickets News Dive into Hidden Depths: YMM Junior Youth and Honors Orchestras in Concert March 1st, 3:00 PM Feb 25 Honors Orchestra Students Take the Stage with the Monterey Symphony Feb 17 It's not too late to give! Dec 29, 2025 YMMC gears up for an exciting 2025-2026 season Youth Music Monterey County's Orchestra in the Schools program (OITS) is currently in session and no longer acceptig applicants as of 09/15/2025. Honors & Junior Youth Orchestras students should be registered, have made tuition arrangements, received their music links via mail or Dropbox, and looking forward to their second concert of the 2025-2026 season on March 1, 2026. Please make sure you have your music for rehearsals. Due to construction at the intersection of Carmel Valley Road and Laurales Grade, please give yourselves some extra time to drive safely. South County Strings registration through the Soledad Unified School District is complete and winter concerts will be announced closer to the performance dates. Please contact SUSD or Ms. Oddie for more details. Events The 2025-2026 Season is in full swing. JYO/HO rehearsals are Wednesdays for JYO at 4:30-6pm and HO at 6:30-8:30pm. Sunday, March 1, 2026 Hidden Depths (Concert #2) 3 PM Sunset Center, Carmel OITS classes are 4pm-6pm at the following various locations: Monday International Schol of Monterey (ISM) Seaside Tuesday Monterey Bay Charter School (MBCS) Pacific Grove Thursday All Saints Day School (ASDS) Carmel Valley and YMMC Music Cottage Monterey (cello only) OITs Spring Concert will be held on May 14, 2026. Fresh Perspectives YMMC's Master Class and Interview Series Catalyst String Quartet Jan 23, 2021 Peter Scaturro - Video Game Music Jan 12, 2021 Interview with JoAnn Falletta Sep 19, 2020

"To inspire excellence in individual students and enrich our community by providing young people with opportunities to participate in, and gain greater understanding of, music and its performance." YMM Mission Statement Youth Music Monterey County supports two orchestras , a chamber music program, a brass ensemble , a woodwind ensemble , a in-school program , and an afterschool program , along with performance opportunities throughout Monterey County. Our Junior Youth and Honors Orchestras are led by professional conductor Maestro Alan Truong and feature approximately 100 student musicians. Youth Music Monterey County was established as a 501(c)(3) organization on May 18, 1988, with the merger of two programs: the Youth Orchestra of Monterey County (est. 1981) and Summer Music Monterey (est. 1965). The 2019-2020 YMMC Honors Orchestra under Maestro Danko Druško. Our legacy of conductors includes: Maestro Stewart Robinson 1981-1984 Maestro Farkhad Khudyev 2012-2019 Maestro Vince Gomez 1984-1992 Maestro Danko Druško 2019-2023 Maestro John Larry Granger 1992-2012 Maestro Daniel Brier 2023-2025 Youth Music Monterey County has fostered the excellence of local student musicians by: Inspiring and challenging students to high levels of musical achievement Instilling standards of excellence, responsibility, and determination Supporting and improving academic performance Teaching cooperation and leadership skills in a diverse environment Communicating respect for the special contributions and abilities of young people to their families and the community at large Building the next generation through music Each year, the Junior Youth and Honors Orchestras of YMMC provide more than 100 local student musicians a unique, high-caliber learning opportunity under the direction of a professional conductor. This experience helps them develop knowledge of symphonic literature, as well as technical and artistic skill. These musicians delight hundreds of community members with outstanding performances at the Sunset Center in Carmel. The orchestras draw many of the best young musicians from throughout Monterey County – from Salinas and Monterey to Carmel Valley and Pacific Grove. Socio-economically diverse and distinguished by talent and commitment, these youth are leaders in school and private music programs today, and are the musicians of tomorrow. Chamber Music Three chamber music programs provide Honors Orchestra musicians opportunities to advocate for the arts and give back to the local community through public performances representing YMMC. These programs consist of the Chamber Players , the Brass Ensemble , and the Woodwind Ensemble . Accessible and Essential Music YMMC’s South County Strings Program involves formal partnerships between YMMC and South County school districts, including Soledad Union School District, San Antonio Union School in Lockwood, and Bradley Union School in Bradley. A team of instructors provides free violin, viola, and cello instruction in group lessons during the school day to students in grades 3-8 living in rural south Monterey County. Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Youth Music Monterey County is committed to championing the principles of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in our board, our staff, and our students. We strive to reflect the diversity of the communities we serve. We believe in the inherent dignity of all individuals and the value of diverse perspectives for the current organization and its future generations. YMMC understands that education is a critical tool in eradicating systemic racism and social injustice. As an educational institution in the field of music, we know we are also raising the next generation of global citizens. The experience of making music teaches students leadership, teamwork, collaboration, respect, compassion, empathy, and critical thinking. YMMC believes music should be available to all people regardless of cultural, geographic, or financial considerations. YMMC is inclusive and welcomes qualified music students irrespective of race, gender, or socioeconomic circumstance. YMMC honors the importance of diversifying its performance repertoire to provide opportunities for under-represented composers, instrumentalists, and vocalists to serve as role models for students and audiences. We are dedicated to broadening our repertoire to be inclusive of other cultures and ethnicities, women, people of color and differing gender identities. YMMC is committed to having a diverse board and staff to bring varied points of view to the decision-making process, reflect the cultural make-up of Monterey County, and provide role models of leadership to our students. YMMC celebrates diverse traditions and experiences and strives to catalyze community engagement and social understanding through music. Community Support A cadre of community members support YMMC programs through concert attendance , donations and sponsorships , volunteering , and grants. Your support bridges the gap between student fees and actual program cost, keeping this high-level opportunity affordable for all student musicians in Monterey County, spanning from the Peninsula to Salinas and South County communities. Our committed network of Angels, donors, and volunteers ensures a legacy of excellence in music both now and for the future. You are invited to join this very special musical family! Explore Ways to Give

Angel Levels Angel - Two Dress Circle Tickets to Sunset Center orchestral performances annually - Invitations to after Sunset Center concert receptions - Invitations to the Annual Angel Appreciation Event Read More Archangel This is placeholder text. To change this content, double-click on the element and click Change Content. Read More Rainforest Action Initiative This is placeholder text. To change this content, double-click on the element and click Change Content. Read More Renewable Energy Program This is placeholder text. To change this content, double-click on the element and click Change Content. Read More