United in Harmony – We are OYO!
Oakland Youth Orchestras is a four-tiered orchestra program teaching students from 2nd grade through high school. Our students travel from numerous counties, nearly 30 school districts and 100 schools from throughout southeast Michigan to rehearsals each Thursday. We enroll nearly 350 students who want to be challenged beyond their school music experience. Our conductors are accomplished musicians with extensive backgrounds in performance and music education. As a 501(c)3 organization, OYO values its partnership with Oakland University School of Music, Theater and Dance as well as the local school music programs and private teachers, who share in the development of our student musicians.
Mission Statement
The mission of OYO is to inspire young people, through the power of music, to become outstanding musicians, individuals, and leaders.
Our Educational Philosophy
The primary educational goal of OYO is to develop the students’ comprehensive musicianship including: aesthetic awareness, music criticism, and music history skills. OYO emphasizes the process of teaching the performance skills necessary for the production of quality musical performances. The orchestras perform a wide variety of literature, which provides extensive musical experiences.
OYO provides an inclusive setting that encourages players to make musical decisions and solve artistic problems as individuals and as a group. OYO fosters team building, commitment and enthusiasm. OYO uses an interactive instructional model where learning is expected to occur both in and outside the rehearsal setting. While auditions for entrance to OYO are necessary, overt competition is de-emphasized. Audition results are based on the successful realization of musical criteria established for each orchestra.
Musicians accepted to OYO are expected to be enrolled in their school music programs. Commitments to local school music organizations take precedence over commitments to OYO.
We Are Community
- Students – Who come together through their love of music; who learn, laugh, and make friendships that last for years.
- Parents – Who see their children grow and excel; who meet other parents through OYO volunteer and fundraising activities.
- Conductors – Professional musicians and experienced music educators who understand that making music is a gift that lasts a lifetime.
- Board members – who provide their time and talents to see that OYO is guided by sound policies.
- Donors – Whose support allows OYO to advance the music education of our students and maintain the strength of our programs (link to support section). We couldn’t do it without you!