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Registration

DCYOP accepts any student age 4.5 – 18.
  • Beginner Student Program registration is held only in the Fall for a full school year, culminating in a concert in May. Registration for 2026-27 beginner program begins April 25, 2026 and closes September 10, 2026.  Students 4.5 and up are welcome to join one of 40 beginner group classes to learn the foundations of music, instruments, and explore the wonder of being part of an orchestra.
  • Intermediate and Advanced Students New to DCYOP are accepted each semester through an audition process to ensure proper placement into one of 10 ensembles. Auditions for Fall 2026 will be held in-person on August 15 and August 22nd at Takoma Elementary School. For more information and sign up for an audition time, please click here. A video audition will be accepted if preferred, please click here to sign up.
  • Returning DCYOP Students will be sent a registration link following reviews at the end of May/Early June directly from our program staff. Registration is due by September 10, 2026.

No Previous Experience

Beginner Classes

Registration for the 2026-27 school year is open April 25 to September 10, 2026.

Register here

Important Dates and Information

April 25, 2026 - Registration for 2026-2027 Program Opens

April 25-July 25 - Early Bird Registration Discount of 5% available

September 10, 2026 - Registration for 2026-2027 Program Closes

September 12, 2026 - Parent Student Orientation at Takoma Elementary School

September 19, 2026 - First Day of Classes/Rehearsals at Takoma Elementary School

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

Registration for the 2026-2027 Season is Open April 25 to September 10, 2026

To register for any of the available beginner classes for the 2026-2027 academic year:

Click here.

To view Registration Policies Click here.

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

Previous Experience & Returning Students

Previous Experience

Returning and New Students

Intermediate and Advanced Student Programs accept auditions for each semester.

Auditions for Fall 2026 will be held in-person on August 15 and August 22, 2026 at Takoma Elementary School. Please select an audition day here.

A video audition submission may also be provided and more information can be found here.

Important Dates and Information

June 2026 - Returning Students will receive registration links by email from our program team in early June.

August 15 and 22, 2026 - In-Person Auditions for Intermediate and Advanced Students New to DCYOP

September 10, 2026 - Registration for Fall 2026 Program Closes

September 12, 2026 - Parent Student Orientation at Takoma Elementary School

September 19, 2026 - First Day of Classes/Rehearsals at Takoma Elementary School

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 2026-27 Full Year Cost
$756/year*
Debut Orchestra, Premiere Winds, Concertino, Sinfonia
SY 2026-27 Full Year Cost
$830/year*
Wind Ensemble, Young Artists Orchestra
SY 2026-27 Full Year Cost
$903/year*
Repertory Orchestra, Youth Philharmonic
SY 2026-27 Full Year Cost
$966/year*
Youth Orchestra
SY 2026-27 Full Year Cost
$1066/year*
*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 will be holding Auditions for Intermediate and Advanced students who are new to DCYOP for the Advanced Fall Programs in August. In-person auditions will be held on August 15 and August 22, 2026 at Takoma Elementarey School. Sign up for an audition time here. If you prefer to submit a video audition, more information is available here.

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 during 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 and advanced ensembles meet in the afternoon.
Do we need to live in D.C. in order to participate?
No! We accept students from the entire DMV metropolitan area.
What are your registration policies?
Please see our 2026-2027 Registration Policies for more information.
Is it too late to join?
We accept new beginner students at the beginning of the fall for the full school year. Intermediate and advanced students may audition in Fall or Spring. Auditions for the Fall 2026 semester will be in August. 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