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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. Join us for our next Junior Youth Orchestra and Honors Orchestra concert Hidden Depths Featuring Katherine Lin, violin Winner of the 2025 Honors Concerto Competition and students from South County Strings Sunday March 1, 2026 | 3 PM Sunset Center, Carmel Songs My Mother Taught Me Sun, May 10 Sunset Center Buy Tickets 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. 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 . 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 More info 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 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

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

Administrative Staff Programs Director Candis Badgley Carlson Artistic Staff Music Director Alan Truong Chamber Players Aleksey Klyushnik South County Strings Director Miriam Oddie Brass Ensemble Director Suzanne Mudge Director, Woodwind Chamber Ensembles Igor Poklad