It was hard to believe one's ears Sunday evening at the Morton H. Meyerson Symphony Center. Hearing the skill and sophistication of the orchestral performances, one could scarcely imagine that they were coming from high school students.
Scott Cantrell, Dallas Morning News

Mission

The Greater Dallas Youth Orchestras, Inc., whose mission is to provide music education and performance opportunities for musically talented youth, was founded as a single orchestra, the Greater Dallas Youth Orchestra, in 1972 by a group of parents and educators who valued music education and the outcomes it could provide.

Ensembles

Since 1972, the Greater Dallas Youth Orchestra has grown from an unknown orchestra to an internationally acclaimed ensemble. Today, Greater Dallas Youth Orchestras, Inc. serves over 400 talented musician and includes a total of six ensembles: the Greater Dallas Youth Orchestra (GDYO), the Wind Symphony, the Philharmonic, the Sinfonietta, the Dallas String Ensemble (DSE), and the Young Performers Orchestra (YPO). The program also includes a two-week day camp, the Summer Music Program, for string players at the YPO, DSE and Sinfonietta level.

Selection Process

Through competitive auditions held each spring, students are selected for membership and placed in appropriate ensembles. Any student who successfully auditions for any Greater Dallas Youth Orchestras ensemble is accepted regardless of ability to pay. Spring auditions determine placement for the beginning of the new season. The Greater Dallas Youth Orchestras season aligns with most area school calendars, beginning in late August and concluding in May, with breaks for holidays.

Opportunities and Advantages

The Greater Dallas Youth Orchestras is dedicated to the professional, personal and musical education of each ensemble member. It is the only organization in the Dallas area where students can perform and socialize with a diverse group of highly talented peers from over 50 communities and 118 different schools, as well as many home-schooled students. Greater Dallas Youth Orchestras students bring the musical abilities they hone back to their own schools—many hold leadership positions in their school ensembles. Individual ensemble within the program also enjoy social activities such as the GDYO “Lock-In” overnight rehearsal/ party, Senior Luncheons, the Philharmonic Pizza Party and the YPO “Prelude Picnics”.

In the Greater Dallas Youth Orchestras, young musicians make measured musical progress through regular seating auditions, sectionals and interaction with music professionals from the Dallas Symphony Orchestra, the Dallas Wind Symphony and other local music ensembles. Overall, the programs offer 60-90 hours of intense, small group sectional instruction from highly regarded professionals. In a nurturing environment, students are held accountable for their music preparation and are required to adhere to strict attendance rules.

Side-by-Side Concerts

The GDYO has played many side-by-side concerts with the Dallas Symphony Orchestra. The Wind Symphony performs an annual side-by-side concert with the Dallas Wind Symphony. At these side-by-side rehearsals and performances, students sit among their musical mentors on stage and learn, by example, the ultimate musical lesson: how to play like a professional. Greater Dallas Youth Orchestras’ ties with these organizations provide students with educational experiences that they will remember for a lifetime.

Future Achievement

One hundred percent of Greater Dallas Youth Orchestras graduates pursue higher education. Many members go on to music conservatories such as Julliard, Eastman, the Cleveland Institute and Oberlin. Other graduates pursue careers outside of music. Skills cultivated in the program—being actively engaged in learning, being creative, being social and being motivated by clear goals—undoubtedly contribute to all graduates’ success.

Donation Information

As a non-profit 501(C)(3) organization, foundation, corporate and individual contributions are vital to the success of the Greater Dallas Youth Orchestras program. Donations provide scholarships for the program, complimentary tickets for underserved community members and much more. Please support GDYO.

The Greater Dallas Youth Orchestras, Inc. is supported in part by the City of Dallas, Texas Commission on the Arts, and TACA.