A Full Orchestra

Abilene Youth Orchestra (AYO) is a full orchestra program for students in 8th-12th grade that is made up of students from all over the Big Country. As the only full orchestra in town, we offer a unique experience for students and the opportunity to learn under ACU professor, Dr. Steven Ward. AYO is the perfect opportunity for students who love making music and enjoy learning alongside their peers.

$220 Yearly Tuition

  • What's Included in Tuition:
  • Twelve 2-hour rehearsals
  • Four 2-hour sectionals led by professional musicians
  • Two concerts
  • 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

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.