About the Youth Orchestra of the Rockies

The Youth Orchestra of the Rockies is an enrichment program developed to challenge and inspire young musicians to reach their full potential. Under the guidance of a professional conductor and coaches, YOR provides experience with a wide variety of major musical works and outstanding performance opportunities. YOR strongly supports our public school music programs, and requires that all of our musicians participate in their school music programs.

The Youth Orchestra of the Rockies offers two large ensembles. The Symphony Orchestra is our most advanced ensemble that tackles college and professional level repertoire, and the Concert Orchestra prepares younger musicians for the symphony.

In addition to the large ensembles, the Youth Orchestra of the Rockies provides opportunities for chamber ensemble instruction with professional coaches. Our Honors String Quartet receives training through Colorado State University and performance opportunities throughout the community. Symphony musicians are invited to participate in the Symphony Chamber Ensemble program, and every Concert Orchestra musician is placed in a Prelude Chamber Ensemble.

The Youth Orchestra of the Rockies is a 501(c)3 non-profit, and tuition covers approximately one-third of our overall costs. We could not operate without the generous contributions of our supporters. For information on how you can become involved, please contact us.

YOR Mission Statement
Through the study and performance of orchestral music, the Youth Orchestra of the Rockies seeks to challenge and nurture young musicians to strive for excellence, to explore their role in humanity, and to contribute beauty to the community.


History

The Youth Orchestra of the Rockies originated as the Larimer Youth Festival Orchestra in 1995 as a summer program. LYFO was established by Fort Collins resident Lisa Eakins, Executive Director, and Thomas Fairlie, Music Director, to provide the young musicians of the northern Front Range of Colorado with an opportunity to experience the rigors of professional music-making in an educational setting.

Each member of the Orchestra qualifies for participation by performing a live audition. Members who are interested in the further challenge of playing a concerto solo with the orchestra may compete for that opportunity.

Each year has seen growth in the membership of the Orchestra, and a greater involvement of the community in its activities. From the beginning, music professionals in the community have lent a hand in the selection of the membership and in helping the youth prepare their music for concerts.

In the 1996 season, the Fort Collins School of Fine Arts of the Fort Collins Front Range Community College participated by sponsoring our program through their Continuing Education Department. The Fort Collins Symphony Orchestra has shared resources with LYFO and in 1997 played a combined outdoor concert in Old Town Square.

Because the membership has grown to include youth from communities outside Larimer County and the program expanded to offer year-round opportunities, the name was changed to the Rocky Mountain Youth Orchestra the summer of 1999. Under this new name, Allan R. Scott was hired as the first Music Director and held this position from 2001 - 2002.

Cynthia Katsarelis became Music Director in 2004. In the summer of the same year, the board decided to change the name once again to the Youth Orchestra of the Rockies to avoid confusion with the Rocky Mountain High School Orchestra.

In 2006 the Board of Directors voted to realize a long-term goal of creating a junior string orchestra. A panel of judges accepted 21 members into the inaugural orchestra. For the 2007-'08 season, three wind players were added to the group, making it the Concert Orchestra. Ms. Katsarelis stepped down from the position of Music Director in Spring 2009, and currently three candidates are auditioning for the position, each conducting a concert with the Symphony.

In keeping with the original vision of its founders, the Orchestra operates as an official non-profit organization under the guidance of a Board of Directors, with federal tax-exempt status. The Orchestra continues to develop its relationships with other musical institutions in the area, exploring the possibilities for mentoring between professionals and students.

Repertoire History
Please click here to download and view the YOR Symphony Orchestra's repertoire history, 1995 - 2009.

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