We Are OYO

  • "We'll rehearse a piece several times… and then finally we reach that moment when everything comes together just right… Wow! It's incredible!"

    • We are OYO

    Oakland Youth Orchestras is a four-tiered teaching orchestra program serving students in grades 3 through 12 from numerous communities in southeast Michigan. Each year we attract over 300 students who want to be challenged beyond their school music experience. Our conductors are accomplished musicians with extensive backgrounds in performance and music education.

    Mission Statement

    The mission of OYO is to inspire student musicians by providing an exceptional orchestral experience. OYO fosters enrichment through opportunities in music theory, chamber music, community outreach performance and competitions. OYO values its partnership with local school programs and private teachers, who share in the development of our student musicians.

    Our Philosophy

    We foster the development of individual and group skills in an atmosphere of team building, commitment, and enthusiasm. Overt competition is de-emphasized. Many of our students make friendships that endure beyond their time with OYO.

    We offer 4 levels of orchestras:

    Studio String
    Advanced Beginner
    String musicians only (Violin, Viola, Cello and Double Bass)
    Suzuki books 1 (completed) through 3. Generally grades 3 through 7.
    String
    Intermediate
    String musicians only (Violin, Viola, Cello and Double Bass)
    Suzuki books 4 through 6. Generally grades 3 through 9.
    Philharmonia
    Advanced Intermediate
    Strings, Brass, Woodwinds and Percussion
    Suzuki books 5 through 7 (Strings). Generally grades 7 through 12
    Symphony
    Advanced
    Strings, Brass, Woodwinds and Percussion
    Generally High School musicians

    All prospective and returning members audition each year for acceptance for the coming season. Click here for audition for dates and requirements.

    Enrichment Opportunities

    To broaden the students performance skills, OYO offers Chamber and Theory classes. Chamber classes are offered in two 8-week semesters – fall and winter. Tuition is approximately $120 per semester. Rehearsals are on Thursdays 5:30 – 6:45pm at Varner Hall and University Presbyterian Church. Students are required to perform in the Chamber Concert at the conclusion of each semester. Theory is offered throughout the year dependent on enrollment.

    Chamber Orchestra
    OYO offers Chamber Orchestra with OYO Symphony Orchestra Conductor, Zeljko Milicevic.This orchestra is open to string players from Philharmonia and Symphony Orchestras by audition. Offered either semester based on enrollment. Tuition approximately $120 per 8wks.
    Chamber Ensembles
    OYO offers Chamber Ensemble classes for all Strings, Brass and Woodwind students from Studio String, String, Philharmonia and Symphony Orchestras. Students audition and are placed into a group according to instrument and ability. Students are coached by OYO conductors and Oakland University Music Preparatory teachers. Tuition approximately $120 per 8wks.
    Beginning Music Theory
    This class will teach OYO students the basic building blocks of music. Students will sing and spell intervals, scales and chords, as well as learn about key signatures, rhythmic notation in simple and compound meters, and figured bass notation. Students will also learn to analyze music using Roman numerals, and hear and understand basic musical forms. Throughout, students will reinforce their new knowledge with ear training. Tuition fees announced each fall.
    College Preparatory Music Theory
    This course is designed for OYO high school students interested in taking music theory at the college level. Concepts learned will help students succeed on music theory placement exams that are typically administered to incoming freshmen by most college music programs. This course will also prepare students for the AP Music Theory exam offered each May. Topics covered include key signatures, intervals, triads, Roman numeral analysis, sight-singing, melodic dictation and music analytical skills. Tuition fees announced each fall.

    Chamber Ensembles and Theory programs are offered in collaboration with Oakland University Music Preparatory Division.

    Board Members

    Our volunteer board members provide their time and talents to see that OYO is guided by sound policies. All board members are parents of OYO student musicians.