St. Louis Symphony Youth Orchestra Musician Resources
2025/2026 Season
Welcome to the St. Louis Symphony Youth Orchestra!
We are very excited to welcome you as a member of the YO, and we hope that you are looking forward to a season full of excitement and music-making with your peers. This season will prove to be not only memorable, but truly historic, as we return to the newly renovated Powell Hall at the Jack C. Taylor Music Center.
Below, you will find several forms and documents that you will utilize throughout the concert season such as an overview of the YO calendar, information regarding rehearsals and concerts, and tuition information.
Rehearsal Information
Rehearsals for the YO are held in the Jack C. Taylor Music Center on Saturday afternoons from 1:30pm-4:30pm, unless noted otherwise.
An overview of the 25/26 YO Calendar can be viewed by following the link.
Cycle I: September 6-November 23 | Season Opener: Sunday, November 23, 2025
Cycle II: January 10-March 29 | Spring Concert: Sunday, March 29, 2026
Cycle III: April 4-May 31 | Season Finale: Sunday, May 31, 2026
Cycle III Absence Request Form
Tuition
Tuition for full-time YO members is $660.00, while tuition for alternate members is $220.00 per cycle that they are asked to perform.
For both full-time and alternate YO members, tuition is non-refundable and must be paid in full by Friday, February 6, 2026.
Additionally, no adjusted rate will be offered to full-time musicians that miss a cycle.
YO Online Tuition Payment Form
Tuition payments are securely processed by PayPal.
If you prefer to pay by check, please make it out to “St. Louis Symphony Orchestra” and mail to:
SLSYO
c/o Alfredo DeLeon
718 N. Grand Blvd.
St. Louis, MO, 63103
Concerto Competition
The YO Concerto Competition affords one YO musician the opportunity to perform a full concerto with the orchestra.
This year’s winner will perform their concerto on the Season Finale concert, subject to change at the discretion of the Music Director.
The Concerto Competition will be on stage at Powell Hall—Wednesday, December 3, 2025, from 4:30pm-8:30pm. Exact times will be assigned to auditionees closer to the competition date. The necessity for a preliminary round will be determined and communicated by the Youth Orchestra Manager following the closing of the application window.
The deadline to apply is Saturday, September 27, 2025.
Financial Assistance and Scholarships
It is a priority for the YO that no qualified musician be turned away based on an inability to pay tuition. Musicians with a demonstrated need for financial assistance may be eligible for a partial or full scholarship.
Additionally, partial or full scholarships are available for musicians who demonstrate exceptional musicianship and professionalism.
Financial Assistance Application
Merit-Based Scholarship Application
The deadline to apply is Saturday, September 27, 2025.
YO Musician Conduct
A respectful and supportive environment makes learning and music-making richer for everyone. Celebrate differences and embrace each person’s unique identity—keeping this statement in mind fundamentally guides our commitment to treating all musicians, staff, and audience members with respect, kindness, and understanding—always.
Behavior that does not align with our values includes, but is not limited to:
- Bullying, harassment, or intimidation
- Discrimination based on race, gender, sexual orientation, religion, or disability
- Inappropriate or threatening language
- Physical aggression or unsafe conduct
- Any action that creates a hostile or unsafe environment
If you witness or experience harmful behavior, you are strongly encouraged to report it promptly. All concerns should be directed to the Youth Orchestra Manager and can be done so in person or in writing, with the latter offering the option to remain anonymous.
Discrimination, harassment, or any form of harmful behavior will not be tolerated and will result in disciplinary action, up to and including removal from the orchestra.
Questions?
Please do not hesitate to contact Alfredo DeLeon, Youth Orchestra Manager, at alfredod@slso.org with any questions.