How to Join HCYO
To Join the Hill Country Youth Orchestras, please read the following instructions:
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The parent/guardian must fill out and submit a registration form for each child. The form may be emailed to the HCYO Staff Assistant. Registration forms will also be accepted in person by the HCYO Staff Assistant, or by mail (please mail to: HCYO, c/o First United Methodist Church, 321 Thompson Dr., Kerrville, TX 78028).
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Violin, viola, cello, and bass students will play for the conductors to determine orchestra placement. Auditions are held on specific Mondays in August and September at the First United Methodist Church in Kerrville. Please check the audtion dates posted on the web-site. New students may also audition for orchestra placement at the beginning of the spring semester in January. Audition music is on the HCYO web-site for Allegretto Orchestra, Concertante Orchestra, and the HCYO Sinfonia. Twinkle Beginning Strings Class (ages 5 to 7) audition on "Twinkle" from Suzuki method book, Volume I.
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New and returning string students are required to audition and attend the four day HCYO Summer String Camp held from 9am to noon at Kerrville First United Methodist Church in early August (see the web-site for details). The orchestras that participate in summer string camp are: Allegretto Orchestra, Concertante Orchestra and the HCYO Sinfonia. The HCYO Summer Camp is for students that are ages eight and up. The Twinkle Beginning Strings Class (ages five through seven) meets during the fall and spring semesters only.
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Wind, Brass, and Percussion students must fill out the registration form and will audition for the advanced level Hill Country Youth Orchestra in October or early November of the fall semester only. New wind/brass/percussion students will be considered for the spring semester on an as needed basis and will audition for the conductor prior to the start of spring rehearsals for the full orchestra. Please check the audition dates and times posted on the web-site. The wind, brass and percussion students accepted into the advanced HCYO attend four Monday night rehearsals each semester and participate in two Sunday afternoon concerts; one concert in December and one concert in April or early May. Both concerts are held at the Cailloux Theater in Kerrville. Wind, brass, and percussion students are required to attend the scheduled dress rehearsal and warm-up rehearsal at the Cailloux Theater prior to each concert.
