GDYO Ensembles

Since 1972, the Greater Dallas Youth Orchestra has grown from an unknown orchestra to an internationally acclaimed ensemble. Today, Greater Dallas Youth Orchestra serves over 470 talented musician and includes a total of ten ensembles:

Selection Process

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

GDYO

The GDYO is the most advanced orchestral ensemble in the program. A full symphony orchestra, it is comprised of 110 string, woodwind, brass and percussion players who are high school seniors or younger. The GDYO is “one of Dallas’ treasures” according to Scott Cantrell, classical music critic for the Dallas Morning News.

Directed by Maestro Richard Giangiulio, the GDYO performs four concerts annually at the Meyerson Symphony Center.

Philharmonic

Comprised of approximately 100 members, high school seniors or younger, the Philharmonic is a full symphony orchestra. The combination of strings, woodwinds, brass and percussion makes possible the performance of a wide variety of symphonic music. For some, the Philharmonic is an introduction to advanced orchestral literature.

Under the direction of James Frank, the Philharmonic performs three concerts annually.

Wind Symphony

The Wind Symphony is an ensemble of 55 to 60 wind, brass and percussion players who are high school seniors or younger. They perform the highest level of wind literature available.

Under the direction of Jeremy Kondrat, the GDYO Wind Symphony performs three concerts annually.

Sinfonietta

The Sinfonietta consists of approximately 50 – 60 string players (violin, viola, cello and bass), who are in 11th grade or younger. As our most advanced string orchestra they perform a wide repertoire of music.

Under the direction of Susan Younghans, the Sinfonietta performs three concerts annually.

Dallas String Ensemble

The Dallas String Ensemble consists of approximately 50 – 60 string players (violin, viola, cello and bass), who are in 9th grade or younger. DSE musicians encounter complex rhythms and begin to explore the interaction between various harmonies and melodies, while performing beautiful music.

Under the direction of Susan Younghans, the DSE performs three concerts annually.

Young Performers Orchestra

The Young Performers Orchestra is a string ensemble (violin/viola/cello/bass) for students in 7th grade or younger. For many members, it is the first introduction to playing in an orchestra. The YPO is directed by Ms. Rojas and performs three annual concerts.

Under the direction of Charilyne Rojas, the YPO performs three concert annually.

Clarinet Choir

The Greater Dallas Youth Orchestra Clarinet Choir is the newest member of the GDYO family. They perform arrangements of standard repertoire as well as compositions written specifically for the idiom. Members are high school seniors and younger.

Under the direction of Jun Qian the Clarinet Choir performs three concerts annually. 

Flute Choir

The Flute Choir is made up of flutists who are high school seniors or younger. They explore the full range of flute choir music and make use of all the instruments in the flute family, such as alto and bass flutes.

Under the direction of Priscilla Holt, the flute choir performs three concerts annually.

Jazz Orchestra

The GDYO Jazz Orchestra is made up of 17 members who are high school seniors or younger. The ensemble focuses on new music, modern arrangements of standards and classical music as well as commissioned pieces, developing a unique sound for the jazz orchestra genre.

The GDYO Jazz Orchestra perform three concerts annually.

The Jazz Orchestra rehearses Sundays from 4:30 – 6:30 pm at the Willow Bend Church in Plano.

Jazz Combo

the GDYO Jazz Combo is made up of 5 – 7 members who are high school seniors or younger. With a focus on improvisation this ensemble is for the student looking to focus on jazz in their future.

Under the direction of Alex Fraile the Jazz Combo performs at least three concert annually.

The Jazz Combo rehearses Sundays from 2:00 – 4:00 pm at the Willow Bend Church in Plano.