Community School Advanced Orchestras

The Community School of Performing Arts offers two different advanced orchestras for students between the ages of 13 and 18. Members of each ensemble are selected through competitive auditions each year.

Auditions will be held on Saturday, August 3 and we are particularly interested in filling the following positions: Percussion, Double Bass, and Trumpet.

About the Ensembles

Colburn Youth Orchestra

Full orchestra with strings, winds, brass, percussion, piano, and Harp

The Colburn Youth Orchestra is the premiere orchestral ensemble of the Colburn Community School of Performing Arts (CSPA), renowned for its high level of artistry and musical excellence. This distinguished ensemble is dedicated to performing a diverse repertoire that spans from standard and contemporary symphonic literature to newly commissioned works and unique arrangements created specifically for the orchestra.

The Colburn Youth Orchestra’s dynamic programming is designed to challenge and inspire its young musicians, highlight the technical skill and artistic maturity of the ensemble, and contributing to the evolution of orchestral music. This ensemble performs at some of the most prestigious venues in Los Angeles, including the iconic Walt Disney Concert Hall, the Alex Theatre in Glendale, the Aratani Theatre in Little Tokyo, and the Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA).

Duration
Sundays, 1–3:45 pm

Colburn Sinfonietta

Full orchestra with strings, winds, brass, percussion, piano, and Harp

The Colburn Sinfonietta is the 2nd orchestral ensemble at the Colburn Community School of Performing Arts (CSPA), dedicated to providing young musicians with the experience of performing large-scale symphonic works throughout the academic year. This ensemble offers students a comprehensive introduction to the demands and rewards of performing in a full orchestral setting and focuses on developing essential skills like playing in a variety of styles with a high-level expressive musicianship.

The Sinfonietta fosters an environment where students can grow as musicians, learning the importance of musical teamwork, and the intricacies of orchestral balance and interpretation. This experience not only enhances their technical abilities but also instills a deep appreciation for the collaborative nature of orchestral music.

Duration
Sundays, 4:15–7 pm

About the Music Director

Eleanor Núñez is an accomplished Spanish-American symphonic conductor, pianist, and in-demand educator who routinely guest conducts district honor orchestras and adjudicates district orchestra festivals in Southern California. She has served as the Symphony Orchestra Director at Irvine Valley College and conducted concerts with professional ensembles like the Orquesta Sinfónica de la Ciudad de Asunción in Asunción, Paraguay, and Camerata Antonio Soler String Orchestra in San Lorenzo de el Escorial, Madrid, Spain, in addition to groups in the US.

Audition Information

Minimum Age Requirements: must be 13 years old by September 1, 2024

Application Deadline

We are currently accepting applications for the 2024-25 academic year. Interested students can apply below.
Students will be required to accept by submitting registration and payment within 2 weeks of their acceptance. Late additions/alternates may be accepted up until the end of September, space permitting.

2024–25 Advanced Orchestra Application Form

Audition Requirements

Auditions for 2024-25 will take place early in June. Please complete the application and prepare the audition requirements listed below.

  • Solo concerto, etude, or showpiece (without accompaniment) that demonstrates technical and interpretive accomplishment.
  • Two excerpts for your instrument – excerpts are listed by instrument family in the file linked below.

Details regarding live auditions will be sent to all applicants in the coming weeks. If you have any questions, please contact the Coordinator, Josiah Vietti, for more information.

2024–25 Audition Excerpts