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Registration

DCYOP accepts any student age 4.5 – 18 at any skill level.

No Previous Experience

Beginner Classes

Registration for the 2024-2025 school year opens at 12:00am, May 1st! This year, we are greatly expanding our beginner class offerings, with a focus on our Level A Strings classes. We will offer 10 Level A Violin classes throughout our program days. In a change from previous years, these classes will be offered during both mornings and afternoons with start times ranging from 9:00 am to 2:15 pm. We will add one additional section for our youngest students (4.5/5-year-olds), two additional sections for 5/6-year-olds, and one additional section for 6/7-year-olds. For lower strings, we will also offer 4 classes for both Viola and Cello students. These 2 instruments will similarly have both morning and afternoon class times.

Beyond our string offerings, we will also offer beginner classes for all woodwind and brass instruments. For the most popular instruments of these 2 families (flute and trumpet), we will add an additional class section.

Important Dates and Information

May 1 – July 15: Early Bird Registration (Discount of 5% off current pricing with code: DCYOPEB24

September 2: Late Registration Starts (Fee $50) 

September 7: Parent and Student Orientation at Takoma Elementary School 

September 14: First day of beginner classes and ensemble rehearsals  

Age Requirements

We often get the question of “what is the right age to start a particular instrument?” DCYOP has developed age parameters to help guide parents in determining what is the best age to start an instrument.

Show minimum age requirements
InstrumentMinimum Age
Violin4.5
Viola4.5
Cello6
Bass7
Flute8
Clarinet8
Oboe8
Bassoon8
Saxophone8
Trumpet8
Trombone8
French Horn8
Tuba8
Percussion8
Harp7
registration

Register for the 2024-2025 Season Now!

Click the links below to register for any of the available beginner classes for the 2024-2025 academic year:

Level Beginner class Age Time Additional info
A Bassoon Section 1 8+ years Sat 11:30am – 12:15pm
A Clarinet Section 1 8+ years Sat 11:30am – 12:15pm
A Flute Section 1 8+ years Sat 10:15 - 11:00am
A Flute Section 2 8+ years Sat 11:30am - 12:15pm
A French Horn Section 1 8+ years Sat 11:30am – 12:15pm
A Oboe Section 1 8+ years Sat time 11:30am - 12:15pm
A Percussion Section 1 8+ years Sat 11:30am – 12:15pm
A Percussion Section 2 8+ years Sat 1:30 - 2:15pm
A Saxophone Section 1 8+ years Sat 11:30am – 12:15pm
A Trombone Section 1 8+ years Sat 11:30am – 12:15pm
A Trumpet Section 1 8+ years Sat 11:30am – 12:15pm
A Trumpet Section 2 8+ years Sat 1:30 - 2:15pm
A Tuba Section 1 8+ years Sat 11:30am - 12:15pm
A Violin Section 1 4.5 – 5 years Sat 9:00 – 9:45am
A Violin Section 2 5 – 6 years Sat 10:00 – 10:45am
A Violin Section 3 6 - 8 years Sat 11:00 – 11:45am
A Violin Section 4 4.5 - 5 years Sat 10:00 – 10:45am
A Violin Section 5 4.5 - 5 years Sat 1:00 - 1:45pm
A Violin Section 6 5 - 6 years Sat 9:00 - 9:45am
A Violin Section 7 6 - 8 years Sat 11:00 - 11:45am
A Violin Section 8 6 - 8 years Sat 9:00 - 9:45am
A Violin Section 9 5 - 6 years Sat 1:15 - 2:00pm
A Violin Section 10 6 - 8 years Sat 2:15 - 3:00pm
A Viola Section 1 4.5+ years Sat 9:00 – 9:45am
A Viola Section 2 4.5+ years Sat 11:30am - 12:15pm
A Viola Section 3 4.5+ years Sat 1:00 - 1:45pm
A Viola Section 4 4.5+ years Sat 10:00 - 10:45am
A Cello Section 1 6+ years Sat 9:00 - 9:45am
A Cello Section 2 6+ years Sat 10:00 – 10:45am
A Cello Section 3 6+ years Sat 11:00 - 11:45am
A Cello Section 4 6+ years Sat 10:15 - 11:00am
A Bass Section 1 7+ years Sat 11:15am - 12:00pm
A Harp Section 1 8+ years Sat 9:00 – 11:00am
Level AAge 8+ years
Bassoon Section 1 Sat 11:30am – 12:15pm
Level AAge 8+ years
Clarinet Section 1 Sat 11:30am – 12:15pm
Level AAge 8+ years
Flute Section 1 Sat 10:15 - 11:00am
Level AAge 8+ years
Flute Section 2 Sat 11:30am - 12:15pm
Level AAge 8+ years
French Horn Section 1 Sat 11:30am – 12:15pm
Level AAge 8+ years
Oboe Section 1 Sat time 11:30am - 12:15pm
Level AAge 8+ years
Percussion Section 1 Sat 11:30am – 12:15pm
Level AAge 8+ years
Percussion Section 2 Sat 1:30 - 2:15pm
Level AAge 8+ years
Saxophone Section 1 Sat 11:30am – 12:15pm
Level AAge 8+ years
Trombone Section 1 Sat 11:30am – 12:15pm
Level AAge 8+ years
Trumpet Section 1 Sat 11:30am – 12:15pm
Level AAge 8+ years
Trumpet Section 2 Sat 1:30 - 2:15pm
Level AAge 8+ years
Tuba Section 1 Sat 11:30am - 12:15pm
Level AAge 4.5 – 5 years
Violin Section 1 Sat 9:00 – 9:45am
Level AAge 5 – 6 years
Violin Section 2 Sat 10:00 – 10:45am
Level AAge 6 - 8 years
Violin Section 3 Sat 11:00 – 11:45am
Level AAge 4.5 - 5 years
Violin Section 4 Sat 10:00 – 10:45am
Level AAge 4.5 - 5 years
Violin Section 5 Sat 1:00 - 1:45pm
Level AAge 5 - 6 years
Violin Section 6 Sat 9:00 - 9:45am
Level AAge 6 - 8 years
Violin Section 7 Sat 11:00 - 11:45am
Level AAge 6 - 8 years
Violin Section 8 Sat 9:00 - 9:45am
Level AAge 5 - 6 years
Violin Section 9 Sat 1:15 - 2:00pm
Level AAge 6 - 8 years
Violin Section 10 Sat 2:15 - 3:00pm
Level AAge 4.5+ years
Viola Section 1 Sat 9:00 – 9:45am
Level AAge 4.5+ years
Viola Section 2 Sat 11:30am - 12:15pm
Level AAge 4.5+ years
Viola Section 3 Sat 1:00 - 1:45pm
Level AAge 4.5+ years
Viola Section 4 Sat 10:00 - 10:45am
Level AAge 6+ years
Cello Section 1 Sat 9:00 - 9:45am
Level AAge 6+ years
Cello Section 2 Sat 10:00 – 10:45am
Level AAge 6+ years
Cello Section 3 Sat 11:00 - 11:45am
Level AAge 6+ years
Cello Section 4 Sat 10:15 - 11:00am
Level AAge 7+ years
Bass Section 1 Sat 11:15am - 12:00pm
Level AAge 8+ years
Harp Section 1 Sat 9:00 – 11:00am

Previous Experience

Have experience studying the musical instrument you would like to play at DCYOP? Sign up for an in-person audition or send us a video audition so we can place you with the best orchestra for your current level.

how to audition

Tuition

Tuition covers lessons/sectionals, rehearsals, concerts, evaluations and master classes. DCYOP subsidizes tuition for all students to make its programs accessible for every family.

We also offer sliding scale tuition for qualifying families, payment plans, and scholarship experiences for advanced students.

Level A & Continuing Level A
SY 2024-2025 Full Year Cost
$720/year*
Wind Ensemble / Young Artists Orchestra / Repertory Orchestra
SY 2024-2025 Full Year Cost
$860/year*
Debut Orchestra / Premiere Winds / Concertino / Sinfonia
SY 2024-2025 Full Year Cost
$790/year*
Youth Philharmonic / Youth Orchestra
SY 2024-2025 Full Year Cost
$920/year + $100* Concert and Activities Fee
*Tuition shown above is full price. DCYOP is committed to accessibility for all. Tuition assistance is offered on a sliding scale for qualifying families. For more information visit our tuition assistance page.
view payment plans contact us

Assistance and scholarships

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Tuition covers lessons/sectionals, rehearsals, concerts, evaluations and master classes. While the average cost per student is $1400 per year, DCYOP subsidizes tuition for all students to make its programs affordable and accessible. We offer additional financial assistance to all students on a sliding scale and a scholarship experience for intermediate and advanced students.

learn more
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Audition information

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Join us for the 2024-2025 season! Auditions for all ten DCYOP ensembles will be held on two consecutive Saturday, August 17th and August 24th. All auditions will take place in person at Takoma Elementary School, located at 7010 Piney Branch Rd, NW in Washington, DC.

If you are interested in auditioning, please review the requirements below and submit the Audition Request Form. All students are welcome to join and will be placed into one of the ensembles.

If you have any questions or concerns regarding the audition requirements, please contact the Artistic Director, Evan Ross Solomon, at evan@dcyop.org. For assistance with signing up for an audition, please reach out to the Director of Students and Family Engagement, Rashida Coleman, at rashida@dcyop.org.

Audition Requirements
Students interested in participating in DCYOP should prepare the following:
  • Any piece of music that you are currently practicing either at school or with your teacher
  • Two scales of your choice

For students interested in our advanced orchestras (Youth Orchestra and Youth Philharmonic), please prepare the following:

1
6 – 7 minutes of a solo work (concerto or sonata) or two contrasting works demonstrating your current ability
2
Two scales. You may pick between: all major scales and minor scales up to three flats and sharps (melodic form) for Youth Philharmonic; all major scales and minor scales up to four flats and sharps (melodic form) for Youth Orchestra. Scales should be memorized
  • Strings – three octave scales performed slowly, one note per bow, and 4 notes per bow, legato (eighth notes at quarter note = 72)
  • Winds – As many octaves as possible performed slurred and tongued (eighth notes at quarter note = 72)

Percussion students, please contact evan@dcyop.org for specific audition requirements.

FAQ

Where and when are rehearsals?
Takoma Elementary School, 7010 Piney Branch Rd. NW on Saturdays throughout the D.C. Public Schools calendar year.
What time will my child’s ensemble meet?
The timing of your child’s rehearsal depends on their level. In general, beginning classes and introductory and advanced ensembles meet in the morning and intermediate ensembles meet in the afternoon.
Do we need to live in D.C. in order to participate?
No! We accept students from the entire D.C. metropolitan area.
Is it too late to join?
We accept new students at the beginning of the fall semester in September and the spring semester in January. Registration stays open on a case-by-case basis for the first couple weeks of each semester.
Do you teach adults?
No
Do you teach guitar or piano?
No

Prospective student resources

resource1 Which instrument is right for me resource2 Where to rent instruments resource3 Age requirements for programs