A Full Orchestra

The Abilene Youth Orchestra (AYO) is a full orchestra program for students in 9th-12th grade made up of students from all over the Big Country. Conducted by Dr. Steven Ward and coached by area professionals and teachers, it is a wonderful experience for student musicians to play great music in a full orchestral setting, and to enjoy learning and growing alongside their peers.

$220 Yearly Tuition

  • What's Included in Tuition:
  • 16 rehearsals
  • Two concerts
  • Tickets to three Abilene Philharmonic concerts

Practice Days & Location

  • Sunday Afternoons 3:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
  • ACU Williams Performing Arts Center
    1725 ACU Dr.
    Abilene, TX

2026 - 2027 Full Calendar

See our Google Calendar >

Fall

  • September 13th – Rehearsal
  • September 20th – Rehearsal
  • September 26th – Night at the Philharmonic
  • September 27th – Rehearsal
  • October 4th – Rehearsal
  • October 11th – NO REHEARSAL
  • October 18th – Rehearsal
  • October 24th – Night at the Philharmonic
  • October 25th – Rehearsal
  • November 1st – Rehearsal
  • November 8th – Dress Rehearsal
  • November 9th – Fall Concert

Spring

  • January 24th – Rehearsal
  • January 31st – Rehearsal
  • February 7th – Rehearsal
  • February 14th – NO Rehearsal
  • February 21st – Rehearsal
  • February 28th – Rehearsal
  • March 6th – Night at the Philharmonic
  • March 7th – NO REHEARSAL
  • March 14th – Rehearsal
  • March 21st – Rehearsal
  • March 28th – NO REHEARSAL
  • April 4th– Dress Rehearsal
  • April 5th – Spring Concert

What to Bring for Auditions

Register For Auditions >

Scales

Choose 2 major scales from the following keys – C, F, Bb, Eb, G, D, A

  • WOODWINDS AND BRASS
  • 1 or 2 octaves, all slurred or slur 2/tongue 2, at a tempo you can play accurately
  • STRINGS
  • 2 or 3 octaves, 1 or 2 notes per bow, full bow, at a tempo you can play accurately
  • PERCUSSION
  • 2 or 3 octaves (marimba), at a tempo you can play accurately

Prepared Piece

  • WOODWINDS, BRASS, AND STRINGS
  • Please bring a prepared solo or etude that best showcases your musical ability. All-Region etudes are acceptable (a technical & lyrical passage is preferred).
  • PERCUSSION
  • Please bring a short prepared solo or portion of All-Region etude on a mallet instrument (either two mallets or four-mallet, not both), timpani, or snare.