Atlanta is home to two of the premier music education programs in the state of Georgia: the Atlanta Symphony Youth Orchestra and the Talent Development Program, both under the umbrella of the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra.
Celebrating its 50th Anniversary, the Atlanta Symphony Youth Orchestra (ASYO) is a dynamic ensemble for advanced young musicians who will study alongside their talented peers for an exciting season of orchestral performances. Rising 8th through 12th-grade musicians are encouraged to apply. The ASYO is led by ASYO Music Director William R. Langley, who holds the Zeist Foundation Chair.
Membership in the ASYO includes:
- Coaching and Sectionals with Atlanta Symphony Orchestra (ASO) musicians
- Masterclasses and workshops with ASO guest artists and musicians
- ASYO Chamber Players program, in partnership with Franklin Pond Chamber Music
- Free tickets to select ASO performances, and more.
ASYO student musicians regularly win auditions into the Georgia Music Educators Association All-State Ensembles, national summer music festivals (including National Youth Orchestra), and various chamber and concerto competitions, Alumni represent the ASYO across all fields nationally, including 11 full-time musicians in our own Atlanta Symphony Orchestra.
To learn more about the ASYO audition process, visit aso.org/asyo. The deadline for applications is March 10, 2024, at 11:59 pm.
“Young musicians in the metro Atlanta area have the unique opportunity to not only enjoy performances by some of the most talented classical musicians of our generation on the Atlanta Symphony Hall stage but to learn and train with ASO musicians and guest artists,” said Sarah Grant, Director of Education, Atlanta Symphony Orchestra. “We look forward to another wonderful season of creating music together through the Talent Development Program and Atlanta Symphony Youth Orchestra.”
Celebrating its 30th Anniversary season, the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra’s Talent Development Program TDP is a first-of-its-kind initiative among U.S. orchestras designed to identify, mentor, and develop middle and high school Atlanta musicians of African American and Latine heritage for careers as professional classical musicians.
The Talent Development Program is accepting applications for the 2024/25 season. Rising 5th to 10th-grade students are encouraged to apply by March 10, 2024, at 11:59 pm. https://www.aso.org/audition-information
Participation in the program includes:
- Weekly private lessons with an ASO musician
- Summer program financial assistance
- Solo recital and chamber music performance opportunities
- Technical and performance juries
- Assistance with preparation for auditions
- Mentoring and one-on-one coaching
- Complimentary tickets to ASO classical concerts for members and their families.
About the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra
Under the leadership of Music Director Nathalie Stutzmann, the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra (ASO) offers live performances, media initiatives, and learning programs that unite, educate, and enrich our community through the engaging and transformative power of orchestral music experiences. The ASO engages the diverse international community of our city, bringing people together in harmony—including our youngest citizens, with extensive opportunities for youth and families to fall in love with music. Two of the hallmark education programs celebrate anniversaries this season: the Atlanta Youth Symphony Orchestra celebrates 50 years, and the Talent Development Program turns 30.
The Orchestra’s range and depth are featured in more than 150 concerts each year, including the flagship Delta Classical Series, Movies in Concert, Family Concerts, Coca-Cola Holiday series, and many community and education concerts. In addition, the ASO presents many vibrant, wide-ranging events and artists through its Delta Atlanta Symphony Hall Live presentations. The ASO also performs with the ASO Chorus, originally founded by Robert Shaw, and currently under the direction of Norman Mackenzie. The Chorus is featured on nine of the ASO’s 27 Grammy® Award-winning recordings.
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