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. beginning 9/4 until 12/4.
Rehearsal venue: Choir Room in the UM Music Building
Concert: Saturday, December 7th at 2 p.m. at the Nutt Auditorium 
Tuition: $100 (due 9/4) 

Live Audition Date: Saturday, August 24th from 9-1 pm 
Live Audition Location: Strings - Nutt Auditorium; Wind/Brass/Percussion - Band Hall  
Application Deadline: Monday, August 19th

Step 1: Complete Interest Form

Lafayette Oxford University (LOU) Youth Symphony aims to build excellent orchestra players for students in 7th through 12th grades. 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). Registrations are open to strings, wind & brass, and percussion.

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

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.

  1. Complete the Inquiry form,
  2. Create a MySchoolApp account, and complete the LOU Youth Symphony application and checklist items by August 19th, 2024.
    • If already in the system, your child’s checklist will be updated to the New Programs Checklist.
    • Please use a personal email account, not a school affiliated email address, as most servers block external emails.
    • Within 3 business days, you will receive an email from umprecollege@myschoolapp.com with steps to create your Admissions Portal through our Blackbaud MySchoolApp system.
  3. Complete the in-person audition held at the University of Mississippi on August 24th, 2024.
    1. Strings should report to Nutt Auditorium.
    2. Wind/brass and percussion auditions will be at the Band Hall in the Music Building.
    3. You will find the necessary requirements to prepare for the audition under the Audition tab, as well as the downloadable music excerpts.
    4. When completing the supplemental application, please select an audition time block:
      a. 9:00-9:30 a.m. 
      b. 9:30-10:00 a.m.
      c. 10:00-10:30 a.m.
      d. 10:30-11:00 a.m.
  4. Students will be notified by August 26th of acceptance.
  5. Pay the $100 tuition fee by September 4th.

An in-person audition will be held at the University of Mississippi on August 24th. Strings will report to Nutt Auditorium, while wind/brass and percussion will be at the Band Hall in the Music Building.

When completing the application, please select the audition time block:

  1. 9:00-9:30 a.m. 
  2. 9:30-10:00 a.m.
  3. 10:00-10:30 a.m.
  4. 10:30-11:00 a.m.

Audition Requirements
Below, you will find the 3 audition requirements as well as the downloadable music excerpts for each instrumentation.

1. One major and one minor scale: You can choose any major/minor scale from 1 to 3 octaves. 

2. Any one piece of the student's own choice, or an excerpt from the Sound of Music Suite (R. Rodgers/O. Hammerstein) below:

  1. Violin: you can choose either the first violin excerpt or the second violin excerpt. 
    1. 1st violin
      1. from pickup to m. 21 to m. 48
      2. from m. 193 to m. 224
    2. 2nd violin
      1. From m. 193 to m. 224
      2. From m. 393 to m. 406
  2. Viola
    1. From pickup to m. 21 to m. 48
    2. From m. 193 to m. 224
  3. Cello
    1. From m. 297 to m. 312
    2. From m. 365 to the downbeat of m. 380
  4. Bass
    1. From m. 177 to m. 191
    2. From m. 393 to m. 406
  5. Oboe
    1. From m. 313 to m. 328
    2. From pickup to m. 365 to m. 380
  6. Flute
    1. From m. 393 to m. 406
    2. From m. 415 to m. 430
  7. Bb Clarinet
    1. From m. 115 to m. 130
    2. From pickup to m. 329 to m.344
  8. Bb Bass Clarinet
    1. From m. 329 to m. 348
    2. From m. 365 to m. 380
  9. Bassoon
    1. From m. 339 to m. 348
    2. From pickup to m. 423 to m. 434
  10. Horn
    1. From m. 37 to m. 48
    2. From m. 259 to m. 274
  11. Trumpet
    1. From pickup to m. 21 to m. 36
    2. From pickup to m. 365 to m. 380
  12. Trombone
    1. From pick up to m. 21 to m. 36
    2. From pickup to m. 365 to m. 380
  13. Tuba
    1. From m. 283 to m. 296
    2. From m. 393 to m. 406
  14. Percussion 
    1. From m. 407 to m. 423: Bells
    2. From m. 429 to m. 442: Timpani
    3. From m. 177 to m. 196: Drums 

3. Sight reading

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