Design and Curriculum: The DCYOP offers a comprehensive music education program that serves young people in the greater DC metropolitan area. Instruction is available for all orchestra and wind ensemble (band) instruments; beginning, intermediate, and advanced students, ranging in age from 4 1/2 to 19. Students participate in classes for their individual instrument or section, and also participate in one of 6 orchestras, 3 wind ensembles, 2 string orchestras, 1 Jazz ensemble and/or multiple class ensembles. Some students in upper levels also participate in smaller chamber ensembles.

Instruction is sequential; as their musical proficiency increases, students may move through a series of 12 levels by demonstrating their proficiency in a jury exam. Students advance at their own pace through these 12 levels (levels A through L), and students come together weekly to rehearse with an ensemble made up of students in the same or a similar level. Regular concerts are performed by all students in the program.

The program maintains a faculty of almost 40 professionals who provide music instruction, focusing on the proficiency outlined by the curriculum and jury system. In addition, these same faculty members assist with the evaluation and determination of jury requirements.