School Year Programs

LOU Youth symphony playing at Ole Miss Music building

LOU Youth Symphony

Grades: Open to 7th-12th graders
Rehearsal: Every Wednesday from 5:30 to 7:00 p.m., starting 9/3 and ending 12/3. (Excluding Fall break and Thanksgiving break)
Rehearsal venue: Choir Room in the UM Music Building
Concert: Saturday, 2 pm, Dec 6 at Nutt Auditorium
Tuition: $100 (due: 9/3)

Returning students (from the 24-25 season): No audition required.
Tryout audition (for NEW STUDENTS only): DIGITAL AUDITION. Students are required to submit their recordings online by August 22. Please follow the recording guidelines below.

Step 1: Complete Interest Form

Lafayette Oxford University (LOU) Youth Symphony aims to build excellent orchestra players for students in 7th through 12th grade. Orchestra classes and rehearsals are designed to teach students in an enjoyable, active and stimulating environment under the direction of Dr. Armee Hong, and conducted by Dr. Selim Giray and Dr. Morreale. Sectionals will be coached by: Dr. Armee Hong (violin/viola), Dr. Kelsey Smith (Cello/Bass), Dr. Philip Snyder (woodwind), and Dr. Morreale (Brass).

The orchestra rehearsals will take place on Wednesdays from 5:30 to 7:00 p.m. in the UM Music Building. Students must provide their own instruments.

In addition to classes and rehearsals, LOU Youth Symphony students receive more advanced musicianship skills to facilitate their ability to read, write, sing, and harmonize. The LOU Youth Symphony concert will highlight players’ beautiful tone, musical, and technical abilities.

  1. Complete the Getting Started Form

  2. Within 3 business days, you will receive an email from umprecollege@myschoolapp.com with steps to create your account and access the Admissions Portal through our Blackbaud MySchoolApp system.

    If already in the system, your student’s checklist will be updated to the new program checklist.

  3. Complete the LOU Youth Symphony application and checklist items.

  4. Submit up to two video files that include both scales and a piece of the applicant's choice by August 22nd, 2025. See Auditions Tab for more information.

  5. Students will be notified by August 25th of acceptance.

  6. Pay the $100 tuition fee by September 3rd.

Audition requirement: All instruments (String, Wind, Brass, Percussion)

  1. One major and one minor scale: You can choose any major/minor scale from 1 to 3 octaves.
    and
  2. Any one piece of the student's own choice: Please submit up to two video files that includes both scales and a piece of the applicant’s choice. You may use a cell phone, but ensure that you achieve good video and audio quality by capturing the full body of the student and the instrument. Record in a quiet environment with no background noise.

Application Deadline: Friday, Aug 22, 2025

Students will be notified of acceptance by Monday, August 25th.

For additional information, please contact:

  • Address: Outreach and Continuing Education, Office of Pre-College Programs, The University of Mississippi, P.O. Box 1848, University, MS 38677-1848
  • Phone: (662) 915-7621
  • Fax: (662) 915-1535
  • Email: precollege@olemiss.edu