Summer
Orchestral Institute
LSYO Summer Orchestral Institute
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Sunday, July 26 - Friday, July 31, 2026
Primo Strings & Concert Orchestra (daytime program)
Leesburg Community Church, 835 Lee Ave SW, Leesburg, VA 20175
Advanced Chamber Strings Workshop (evening program)
Catoctin School of Music, 25 E First St. SE, Leesburg, VA 20175
The LSYO Summer Orchestral Institute (SOI) brings together world-class performers and young orchestral musicians from across Northern Virginia for a week of music-making and orchestral study. As a member of one of our leveled SOI ensembles, each musician will work with professional conductors, coaches, and performers to hone their orchestral and ensemble skills.
Primo Strings
* No more openings
For more information, contact Dr. Laurie Hudicek.
Meet Our Conductors
Primo Strings - Conductor, Sarah Geiger
Beginning string musicians of all ages with a minimum of one year of private or ensemble experience are invited to join us for a week of ensemble music exploration and performance.
The week revolves around orchestra rehearsal and preparation for a final concert. In addition to the formal rehearsals and sectionals, musicians will enjoy fun ensemble-oriented enrichment classes, learn audition skills and instrument care, and socialize with other musicians.
Current LSYO String Orchestra and Prelude String members do not need to audition. All other musicians are required to submit a virtual audition prior to registration.
Sectional Coaches
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Brittany Dinsmore
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Lauren Haren
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Signe Mortensen
Enrichment Instructors
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Nick Bulgarino
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Huyen MacMichael
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... and more!
Primo Strings Schedule
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Sunday, July 26
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5:00 p.m.: Check-In
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5:15 p.m.: Welcome to all participants and overview of the Institute
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5:30-6:30 p.m.: Primo Strings meet-and-greet and first rehearsal
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Monday, July 27 - Thursday, July 30
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8:45-8:55 a.m.: Primo Strings drop-off
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9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.: Primo Strings rehearsals, clinics, and enrichment activities
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Friday, July 31
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8:45-8:55 a.m.: Primo Strings drop-off
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9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.: Primo Strings rehearsals and enrichment activities
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1:00 p.m.: Primo Strings & Concert Orchestra Closing Concert*
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*This is a ticketed event. All SOI participants will receive 2 complimentary tickets for family and friends. Children 12 and under are free.
Concert Orchestra - Conductor, Samantha Oakley
Young orchestral musicians of all ages with at least two years of ensemble experience are invited to join us for a week of orchestral music exploration and performance.
The week revolves around orchestra rehearsal and preparation for a final concert. In addition to the formal rehearsals and sectionals, musicians will enjoy fun ensemble-oriented enrichment classes and time to socialize with other musicians.
Current LSYO Symphonic and Philharmonic Orchestra members do not need to audition. All other musicians are required to submit a virtual audition prior to registration.
Sectional Coaches
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Brittany Dinsmore
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Bryan Fay
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Lauren Haren
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Signe Mortensen
Enrichment Instructors
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Nick Bulgarino
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Huyen MacMichael
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... and more!
Concert Orchestra Schedule
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Sunday, July 26
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5:00 p.m.: Check-In
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5:15 p.m.: Welcome to all participants and overview of the Institute
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5:30-7:00 p.m.: Concert Orchestra first rehearsal
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Monday, July 27 - Thursday, July 30
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8:45-8:55 a.m.: Concert Orchestra drop-off
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9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.: Concert Orchestra rehearsals, clinics, and enrichment activities
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Friday, July 31
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8:45-8:55 a.m.: Concert Orchestra drop-off
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9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.: Concert Orchestra rehearsals and enrichment activities
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1:00 p.m.: Primo Strings & Concert Orchestra Closing Concert*
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*This is a ticketed event. All SOI participants will receive 2 complimentary tickets for family and friends. Children 12 and under are free.
Advanced Chamber Strings - Conductor, Drew Lisowski
Advanced string players, grades 7-12, are invited to audition for this small advanced ensemble. At least 5 years of study and 3 years of ensemble experience are required.
Members may be invited to support the main ensembles (Primo Strings and Concert Orchestra) as players and mentors, but are not required to do so. Advanced Chamber Strings members will also be assigned small chamber groups for the week.
Ensemble Coaches
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Michelle Choi
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Lauren Haren
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Jie Kim
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Stephen Matthie
Advanced Chamber Strings Schedule
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Sunday, July 26
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5:00 p.m.: Check-In
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5:15 p.m.: Welcome to all participants and overview of the Institute
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5:30-7:00 p.m.: Advanced Chamber Strings first rehearsal
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Monday, July 27 - Thursday, July 30
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5:30-9:30 p.m.: Advanced Chamber Strings rehearsals and coaching
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Friday, July 31
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1:00 p.m.: Advanced Chamber Strings concert call time. Watch Primo Strings & Concert Orchestra performances
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2:30 p.m.: Advanced Chamber Strings Closing Concert*
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*This is a ticketed event. All SOI participants will receive 2 complimentary tickets for family and friends. Children 12 and under are free.
Tuition
Early Bird Tuition - before June 1, 2026
Primo Strings: $550
Concert Orchestra: $550
Advanced Chamber Strings: $425
Regular Tuition - begins June 1, 2026
Primo Strings: $575
Concert Orchestral Program: $575
Advanced Chamber Strings: $450
All registrations received after July 15 will incur a $25 late fee.
Register by July 5 to receive your free Summer Orchestral Institute t-shirt. There will be limited t-shirts available for purchase upon registration for those who register after July 5.
Tuition is due two weeks after you receive your notification of acceptance, or by July 17, whichever is earliest.
Refunds will be given as follows:
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Refunds requested before July 17 will receive a 50% tuition refund.
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No refunds will be given after July 17.
Audition Requirements
Audition Fee: $25.00 - non-refundable
For a musician who is already a member of LSYO:
If you are already a member of LSYO or have auditioned and been accepted for the 2026-2027 season:
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Musicians who have already auditioned for the 2026-2027 LSYO season and received a placement do not need to audition again for Summer Orchestral Institute. Your Institute placement will be determined by your 2026-2027 season audition.
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Current (2025-2026 season) LSYO Prelude String or String Orchestra musicians planning to attend the Primo Strings program do not need to audition.
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Current (2025-2026 season) LSYO Prelude String or String Orchestra musicians wishing to attend the Concert Orchestra program must audition.
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Current (2025-2026 season) LSYO Symphonic or Philharmonic musicians planning to attend the Concert Orchestra Program do not need to audition.
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Current (2025-2026 season) LSYO Philharmonic or Symphonic members who wish to participate in Advanced Chamber Strings must submit an audition for placement or have a recommendation from Dr. Denesha. Please submit a recording of any recent performance. Placements in the advanced ensemble is selective and seats are limited. Interested musicians are encouraged to apply early as these seats will fill quickly.
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Contact Dr. Hudicek for more information: laurie.hudicek@loudounsymphony.org with any questions about auditions or placement.
If you are currently an LSYO member and do not require an audition, click here to register.
For a musician who is not a member of LSYO:
If you are not currently a member of LSYO or have not been accepted for the 2026-2027 season:
All musicians not currently in LSYO must audition. After learning the requirements, click on the button below to register for an audition. You will be asked to include a link to your audition piece (google drive or unlisted YouTube) before completing the audition registration. While most students are accepted into the program, this will help with placement in the ensemble best suited to your skill level.
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To audition for Primo Strings and Concert Orchestra:
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Musicians should submit a video recording of one solo that best demonstrates their technical and expressive performance ability.
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Primo String and Concert Orchestra auditions are due by July 15.
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To audition for Advanced Chamber Strings:
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Musicians should submit a video of 2 contrasting solos or excerpts that demonstrates their full range on their instrument, as well as technical and expressive performance ability.
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You will also be asked for more detailed information on your experience. Private instructors will be contacted directly for recommendation if needed.
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Advanced Chamber Strings auditions will be held on a rolling basis until filled. Check back frequently for updates
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