OUR PROGRAMS
OrcheSTARS! Choir• OVERTURE ENSEMBLES • PRELUDE & INTERMEZZO ORCHESTRAS • YOSAL YOUTH SYMPHONY • YOSAL MARIACHI BANDA
YOSAL provides free, year-round music education in a welcoming and supportive environment where students grow not only as musicians, but also as confident, responsible, and engaged young people.
Every instrumental student is loaned a YOSAL instrument for the season to use both in class and at home while receiving instruction from our dedicated teaching artists. Throughout the year, students participate in concerts, community performances, masterclasses, field trips, leadership opportunities, and other enriching musical experiences that foster discipline, perseverance, teamwork, and confidence.
YOSAL is completely FREE for all accepted students. There is no tuition to participate in our program. In return, we ask families to make a commitment to consistent attendance, open communication, and active participation in their student's musical journey.
OrcheSTARS! Choir
OrcheSTARS! is YOSAL’s introductory program for 1st and 2nd graders. Through choir, movement, rhythm, and fun group activities, students develop the building blocks of music, including ear training, breathing, diction, listening, and music reading basics. Guided by our Choir Teaching Artist, OrcheSTARS! nurtures a love for music while preparing students for their transition into orchestra.
CLASSES MEET:
1st Grade: Monday, Wednesday, and Friday – 3:30 PM to 4:30 PM
2nd Grade: Monday, Wednesday, and Friday – 4:30 PM to 5:30 PM
OVERTURE Ensembles
Overture is the starting point for students in 3rd through 12th grade who are beginning their instrumental music journey. Whether they are new to music, new to their chosen instrument, or continuing from OrcheSTARS! into 3rd grade, students receive a YOSAL instrument on loan for the season and begin developing the skills needed to become successful musicians.
Through one weekly instrumental class and one weekly Overture ensemble rehearsal, students build strong musical foundations while learning to perform confidently as part of a string or wind ensemble.
CLASSES MEET:
Monday (ALL Overture students): 3:30-4:30pm
Tuesday (Winds, Brass & Percussion): 3:30-4:30pm
Wednesday (Strings only): 3:30-4:30pm
PRELUDE ORCHESTRA
Prelude is YOSAL's beginning orchestra for students who have successfully completed one year in Overture. New students in 3rd grade and above with instrumental experience may also audition for placement in this orchestra.
Students attend two classes each week: one sectional class and one full orchestra rehearsal; they start to understand how their instrument fits into the larger group setting.
As members of Prelude, students strengthen their technique, build confidence, and develop the ensemble skills needed to perform successfully as part of an orchestra.
CLASSES MEET:
Monday (ALL Prelude Students): 3:30-4:30pm
Thursday (Winds, Brass & Percussion): 3:30-4:30pm
Friday (Strings only): 3:30-4:30pm
INTERMEZZO ORCHESTRA
Intermezzo is YOSAL's intermediate orchestra for students who have successfully completed one year in Prelude. New students in 3rd grade and above with more than two years of instrumental experience may also audition for placement in Intermezzo.
Students attend two weekly sectional classes and one full orchestra rehearsal, where they continue strengthening their technique, refining their music-reading skills, and developing greater musical independence. As members of Intermezzo, students perform increasingly challenging repertoire while deepening their understanding of ensemble performance and their role within a full orchestra.
CLASSES MEET:
M ( ALL Intermezzo Students) : 4:30-6:30pm (Orchestra & Instrument Sectionals)
T & TH (Winds, Brass & Percussion): 5:30-6:30pm
W & F (Strings): 5:30-6:30pm
YOSAL YOUTH SYMPHONY & MARIACHI BANDA
In our most advanced group, YOSAL Youth Symphony (YYS) members focus on a higher level of music-making in their group classes as well as in full orchestra, led by our Music Director.
YOSAL Mariachi Banda (YMB) is made up of YYS members who have auditioned and are accepted by the Director. All orchestra instruments are eligible to join YOSAL Mariachi Banda.
CLASSES MEET:
M: 4:30-6:30pm (Instrument Sectionals & Orchestra Rehearsal), 6:30-7:30pm (Mariachi Banda)
T & TH (Winds, Brass & Percussion): 5:30-6:30pm
W & F (Strings): 5:30-6:30pm