Which Orchestra is right for me?
At SYO there are multiple stages & ensembles in our weekly program with many of our musicians spending at least 2 years per ensemble.
Explore our ensemble pathway below to guide your SYO journey.
Our SYO Strings Program caters for string players beginning at AMEB Grade 2 or equivalent, and our Symphonic Orchestral Program caters for string, brass, woodwind and percussion players beginning at AMEB Grade 5 or equivalent. Our most advanced orchestra is The Sydney Youth Orchestra which is for musicians who are AMEB AMusA minimum standard or equivalent.
Prep
BASE LEVEL KNOWLEDGE: First year of playing up until AMEB Grade 2 or equivalent - Open to primary school aged orchestral string musicians - Musicians must be learning from a private instrumental teacher and have their own instrument.
Stage 1 Strings
BASE LEVEL KNOWLEDGE: AMEB Grade 2 or equivalent - Ability to play in first position in keys of up to 2 sharps & 1 flat - Open to orchestral string musicians - Recommended Age 6+
Stage 2 Strings
BASE LEVEL KNOWLEDGE: - AMEB Grade 3 or equivalent - Ability to play in first to third position in keys of up to 3 sharps & 2 flat - Previous ensemble experiences required - Open to orchestral string players - Recommended Age 6+
Stage 3 Strings
BASE LEVEL KNOWLEDGE: - AMEB Grade 4 or equivalent - Ability to play in first to fifth position in keys of up to 4 sharps & 3 flat - Previous ensemble experiences required - Open to orchestral string players - Recommended Age 6+
Richard Gill Chamber Orchestra
BASE LEVEL KNOWLEDGE: AMEB Grade 6 or equivalent - Very high standard ability of first to fifth position playing in keys of up to 5 sharps & 4 flat - Previous ensemble experiences required - Open to orchestral string players - Recommended Age 10+
Western Sydney Youth Orchestra
BASE LEVEL KNOWLEDGE: AMEB Grade 5 or equivalent - Musicians who live in Western Sydney - Open to Strings, Woodwind, Brass and Percussion - Recommended Age 12+
Symphonic Wind Orchestra
BASE LEVEL KNOWLEDGE: AMEB Grade 6 or equivalent - Previous large ensemble experience required - Open to Woodwind, Brass and Percussion only - Recommended Age 12+
Peter Seymour Orchestra
BASE LEVEL KNOWLEDGE: AMEB Grade 7 or equivalent - Previous large ensemble experience required - Open to Strings, Woodwind, Percussion and Horn - Recommended Age 12+
SYO Philharmonic
BASE LEVEL KNOWLEDGE: AMEB Grade 8 or equivalent - Previous large ensemble experience required - Open to Strings, Woodwind, Brass and Percussion - Recommended Age 14 to 25
The Sydney Youth Orchestra
BASE LEVEL KNOWLEDGE: AMEB AMusA minimum or equivalent - Significant previous large orchestral experience required - Open to Strings, Woodwind, Brass and Percussion - Recommended Age 14 to 25