LSYO | Ensembles

LSYO ENSEMBLES

Philharmonic is a full symphonic orchestra composed of the most talented and accomplished young brass, wind, string, and percussion musicians in Loudoun County and surrounding areas. Members of the Philharmonic rehearse and perform professional-level standard orchestral repertoire from all musical eras.

To participate effectively in this ensemble, musicians must meet the following criteria:

Be in grades 8-12;
Have a minimum of four years of private instruction on their instrument;
Have at least three years of experience performing in an ensemble setting with a conductor.

Learn more about recommended proficiencies here.

Click the links below for performances of past repertoire:

Symphony No. 1 “Afro-American” - William Grant Still
The Sorcerer’s Apprentice - Paul Dukas
Ballet Music from Faust - Charles Gounod
Symphony No. 9 “From the New World” - Antonin Dvořák
Scheherazade, Suite Symphonique, Op. 35 - Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov

Philharmonic Orchestra

Dr. Hayden Denesha, Music Director & Conductor

Philharmonic

Symphonic Orchestra is an ensemble that rehearses and performs a wide range of literature and serves as the initial exposure to full symphonic repertoire for many of its members. Symphonic Orchestra offers training in ensemble technique for wind, brass, percussion, and string musicians, complementing the instruction provided in a typical high school or middle school setting.

Orchestra Participation Requirements

To participate effectively in the Symphonic ensemble, musicians must meet the following criteria:

Grade Level: Open to students in grades 7–12.
Private Instruction (Strongly Encouraged):
- String players are strongly encouraged to have a minimum of four years of private instruction.
- Brass, woodwind, and percussion players are strongly encouraged to have a minimum of two years of private instruction.
Ensemble Experience: Must have at least two years of experience performing in an ensemble with a conductor.

These requirements ensure musicians have the necessary technical and ensemble skills to contribute meaningfully to the orchestra's performances while fostering a mature and collaborative environment during rehearsals. Learn more about recommended proficiencies here.

Past repertoire has included:

Star Wars: Episode III Revenge of the Sith - John Williams
Bacchanale from Samson and Delilah - Charles Camille Saint-Saens (arr. Merle J. Isaac)
The Moldau - Bedrich Smetana (arr. Richard Meyer)
Brandenburg Sinfonia - Johann Sebastian Bach (arr. Isaac)
Farandole from “L'Arlesienne Suite No. 2” - Georges Bizet (arr. Merle Isaac)

Symphonic Orchestra

Samantha Oakley, Conductor

Symphonic

LSYO String Orchestra typically rehearses and performs VBODA grade level 3-4 string orchestra music from all musical eras. Members of the string orchestra continue to focus on building skills required for successful ensemble rehearsal and performance including but not limited to refining shifting and bowing techniques, balancing with other orchestra members, and following a conductor.

To participate effectively in this ensemble, musicians must meet the following criteria:

Be in grades 6-12;
Have a minimum of two years of private instruction on their instrument or ensemble experience with a conductor;
Comfortable with basic shifting into IIIrd position (violin, viola, and bass) and IIIrd and IVth position (cello).

Learn more about recommended proficiencies here.

Past repertoire has included:

Declarations - Jeffrey S. Bishop
Legend - David O’Fallon
Ventus - Todd Parrish
Westward Journey and Jubilee - Carrie Lane Gruselle

String Orchestra

Robby Carroll, Conductor

String Orchestra

Prelude Strings gives young musicians in grades 2-6 who are new to the ensemble experience a place to build skills with a professional LSYO Conductor. The focus will be on developing foundational skills required for successful ensemble rehearsal and performance. Members will learn to follow a conductor, improve notation reading skills, balance with other orchestra members, and refine their bowing techniques.

To participate effectively in this ensemble, musicians must meet the following criteria:

One year of private instruction or ensemble experience with a conductor;
Comfortable reading and playing from basic music notation in the keys of D, G, and C Major without letter names written under notes;
At minimum students have finished Suzuki book 1 or equivalent.

Learn more about recommended proficiencies here.

Past repertoire has included:

Snow Day - Katie LaBrie
Voyager - Soon Hee Newbold
Viola Country - Richard Meyer
Gloria in Excelsis Deo - Vivaldi, arr. Brubaker

Prelude Strings

Sarah Geiger, Conductor

Photo by Ashley Brody Photography

Prelude Strings