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Registration

DCYOP accepts any student age 4.5 – 18 at any skill level and registration for our 2025-2026 programs is open now!

No Previous Experience

Beginner Classes

Registration for the 2025-26 school year is open!

Important Dates and Information

May 17– July 15, 2025: Early Bird Registration (5% discount)

September 2, 2025: Late Registration ($50 late fee applied) 

September 6, 2025: Season Kick-Off Orientation 

September 13, 2025: First Day of Classes and Rehearsals

Register for Beginner Classes

Click here to register.

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. View minimum age requirements below.

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

Register for the 2025-2026 Season Now!

To register for any of the available beginner classes for the 2025-2026 academic year:

Click here.

To view Registration Policies Click here.

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

Returning Students

Registration is now open - sign up today for your spot in one of our ensembles for 2025-26 school year.

New Students With Experience

Have experience studying the musical instrument you would like to play at DCYOP?

We are now accepting audition requests and registration for new students who wish to join us on one of our nine ensembles for 2025/26!

Requests for audition must be submitted via this link. Auditions will be held Saturday, August 16th and Saturday, August 23rd.

If you have questions regarding the audition requirements, please contact the Artistic Director, Evan Ross Solomon at [email protected]. For assistance signing up for an audition, please contact Tim Provost, Program Manager, at [email protected].

Sign Up 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 2025-26 Full Year Cost
$720/year*
Wind Ensemble / Young Artists Orchestra / Repertory Orchestra
SY 2025-2026 Full Year Cost
$860/year*
Debut Orchestra / Premiere Winds / Concertino / Sinfonia
SY 2025-2026 Full Year Cost
$790/year*
Youth Philharmonic / Youth Orchestra
SY 2025-2026 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.
Apply for Tuition Assistance 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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We are now accepting requests for auditions for new, experienced students to join us for the 2025-2026 program year. Requests for audition must be submitted via this link. Please contact Tim Provost, Program Manager, at [email protected] with any questions. Thank you!

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 [email protected] 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.
What are your registration policies?
Please see our 2025-2026 Registration Policies for more information.
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