Young musicians ages 6-21.

GBYO gives equal membership and employment, contracting, and volunteer opportunities to all individuals, regardless of race, color, religion, marital status, national origin, military status, gender, sexual orientation, gender expression, citizenship, disability, or geographic location.  Because we are a youth orchestra, membership is open to individuals only through age 21.  There is no minimum age to join, but applicants must pass an audition process which is based solely on musical ability.

GBYO is committed to equity, diversity, inclusion, and access. GBYO strives to engage the community we serve. We target our programs to reach youth and audience who might not otherwise experience young people performing classical music, reaching people of all ages beyond the concert hall. We are very proud that no student has been turned away for financial reasons in the history of the organization, stretching back to 1984. Our Financial Assistance program has helped more than 120 young musicians with the costs of tuition and acquiring instruments. Our musical programming reflects diversity, including music by women composers, composers of color, local composers, living composers, and a variety of genres (folk, sacred, ballet, symphonic, fiddling, etc) and eras (1550s to a 2025 world premiere).

Audition. Students are accepted into GBYO via audition.

Attendance. Musicians are permitted two rehearsal absences per concert block. View the yearly calendar.

Private lessons. All members of GBYO are required to be actively taking private lessons. We're happy to help!

School music participation. Members of the large ensembles (Sinfonia, Philharmonic, Symphony, and Wind Ensemble) must participate in their school band or orchestra if they have one. View the school participation form.

Tuition. Financial assistance is available through our GBYO Financial Assistance Program. We are proud that no student has been turned away from GBYO for financial reasons, stretching all the way back to 1984. That tradition continues. Please don't hesitate to apply. 2024-2025 tuition for the year is $680 for the Sinfonia, $760 Philharmonic, $855 Symphony. Chamber music tuition is $375 per session. A $75 deposit is due when enrolling.

Seating auditions help us gauge students' personal progress with the repertoire. We learn a lot from listening to you on how we can best help in rehearsals. The spots chosen are challenging and also great chunks for practice. Please prepare these excerpts to the best of your ability. Rhythm is the most important element of music in order to play your part successfully in a group. Pitch (correct notes in tune), articulation, dynamics and style are also important elements of musicianship to strive for in your practice. Please do not stress, seating auditions are an important part of the learning process for orchestra.

GBYO rehearses on Mondays throughout the school year, September through April.

Sinfonia: 4:30-6:00pm
Philharmonic strings, winds, brass: 4:45-5:30
Philharmonic strings only: 5:30-6:15
Wind Ensemble: 5:30-7:00
Symphony: 6:30-8:30

Rehearsals take place at Mt. View United Methodist Church, 355 Ponca Place, Boulder. View the year-long calendar.

Musicians are permitted two rehearsal absences per semester; musicians must contact the Executive Director in advance if he or she knows a rehearsal will be missed. Attendance at the dress rehearsal and warm-up rehearsal is mandatory. Please note the dress rehearsal is the full-length Monday preceding the concert; the warm-up rehearsal is the shortened rehearsal the morning of the concert. If more than two rehearsals are missed, the musician will not be permitted to play the concert, unless extenuating circumstances exist and only at the discretion of the music director.

Playing in an orchestra is like being on a sports team; it's a TEAM and it only works well when everyone on that team is there, playing together; we need everyone present, hence the attendance policy. First stands in strings and all winds, brass, and percussion are like the captains of the team.

We form our budget around enrollment and if you have registered we do not expect to have to hire a professional musician to play your part. Hiring a professional typically costs $150 per concert, per person. If you are in a leadership position but don't play the concert for any reason, you will have to cover the costs of hiring someone to fill in for you and cover your parts. Leadership positions include the first stand of each string section and ALL winds, brass, and percussion.

Read about the concert day experience.
Watch a past concert.

Each year, GBYO holds a concerto competition for members of the Philharmonic, Wind Ensemble, and Symphony. Winners perform with their orchestra in the final concert of the year. Repertoire must be approved by the conductor. Pieces need to be memorized and performed with piano accompaniment, provided by the student. There is an entrance fee. Once a musician has won a GBYO concerto competition, that musician is ineligible to compete in future GBYO concerto competitions, even if on a different instrument, for two years.

SCORE is GBYO’s signature fundraiser, a unique and interactive evening. A composer works with GBYO students and audience members to create a brand-new piece of music right there on the spot! The piece is performed only once in the history of human beings: that very night. You have to be there to take part and witness its creation.

2018: Andy Reiner, Gobby Boggy Fly
2019: Paul Fowler, 5638 Why Didn't We Get to Eat?
2020: Leanna Kirchoff, Blue Jay
2021: PROJECT Trio, Colorado Sunrise
2022: Tom Hagerman, Dry Erase Noise Explosion?
2023: Chappell Kingsland, Invasion of the…
2024: Leanna Kirchoff, Life in Flight: FF

Join us in April to take part in SCORE and support GBYO!

Yes, GBYO is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization, EIN 74-2346471. We rely on the support of donors. Your support makes a positive difference in the lives of gifted young musicians and the community they serve.

Make your donation via Colorado Gives.

Tuition and ticket sales account for roughly half of the income needed for our programs. GBYO is a nonprofit organization and is sustained by individual donors and grants. Fundraising allows us to keep tuition low and provide financial assistance for many families.

GBYO’s fundraising is focused on two events:
        • Colorado Gives Day, 2nd Tuesday of December
        • SCORE, held in April

Concert sponsorships are also available.

King Soopers offers a great community program. If you have a King Soopers Loyalty Card, it’s an easy way to help fundraise for GBYO. All you have to do is log into your existing King Soopers account either on a computer or through the app.

Steps to Enroll:
        • Visit kingsoopers.com
        • Click on Sign in in the upper right, then click on My Account.
        • Either sign in or create an account.
        • Click on Community Rewards on the left side of the screen.
        • Search Greater Boulder Youth Orchestras or AN376