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Youth Orchestra
Since 1962, the Philharmonic Youth Orchestra has been a dynamic ensemble providing orchestral experience for young musicians across the Metro-East area. Youth Orchestra members range in age from those just gaining proficiency to high school students. College students may serve as musician mentors. While the Belleville Philharmonic Youth Orchestra expects regular attendance at rehearsals and concerts, we recognize that school music programs take priority!
The purpose of the Belleville Philharmonic Youth Orchestra is to:
- Provide quality music and performance opportunities for young musicians throughout the Metro-East area.
- Offer young people the ability to expand their musical competence by performing in a full orchestral setting.
- Inspire students with a love of music.
- Encourage and challenge their talent to promote a desire to go beyond what is comfortable and achieve what is possible.
- Make available an extracurricular music program that complements local school band and music programs.
Auditions for the 2026-2027 season will be held on Monday, August 24th, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. If you are unable to make the in-person audition or all the time slots have been filled, you can participate by submitting a recorded audition to byo@bellevillephilharmonic.org. For more details on the audition requirements and to sign up for your audition slot, go to https://tinyurl.com/2xnp7mz7. All musicians will be auditioning with the ILMEA Junior High Etudes unless they are competing for first chair. First chair will audition using the Senior high etudes.
Dates are as follows:
August 24th – auditions – in person or virtual
August 31st – parent meeting
September 14th – Rehearsals start
Saturday, December 12th (1st Concert of the season)
December 15th to January 10th – winter break
Monday, January 11th – First rehearsal after winter break
Sunday, March 14th – 2nd Concert
Saturday, April 12th Kid’s Day in downtown Belleville. (Need to confirm date with Belleville Main Street)
Sunday, May 16th – Final concert of the season.
Fees are $90 for the first family member and $75 if you have additional family members. Musicians joining after December pay a prorated amount of $65. Fees this year include a membership t-shirt.
Meet the Conductor – Nicholas Pyles
Nicholas Pyles holds both a Master of Music and a Bachelor of Music in Music Performance and Music Theory from Southern Illinois University Edwardsville (SIUE). Prior to his current appointment, he served as Band Director at Ss. Peter & Paul Catholic School in Collinsville, Illinois, taught beginning band in O’Fallon Community Consolidated School District 90, and instructed courses in music theory, composition, and applied saxophone at McKendree University. He was also a tenured member of The Muny Orchestra.
Professor Pyles is presently Assistant Professor of Music, Head of Music Education, and Director of Bands at Greenville University. He is also pursuing doctoral studies at the Robert Webber Institute for Worship Studies.
Nicholas and his wife, Katie, are active members of St. Matthew Church in Belleville, Illinois, where he performs regularly in the church orchestra and occasionally serves as a worship leader.
Youth Orchestra CALENDAR
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