Concerts & Events

Fall Auditions for New Students

Wednesday, November 4, 2026

5-8 PM, Fairfield, CT

Register today for your GCTYO audition and join the premier youth orchestra in Connecticut! We offer multiple different ensembles at all levels for young musicians from 4th-12th grade who have been playing their instrument for a year or more. Auditions are required for all instruments except steel pan. Registration is required for everyone. Visit our Auditions page for more information.

Registration is required! If accepted, new students would begin rehearsals on Saturday, Dec. 12.

Jack Lawrence Fall Concerts

Sunday, November 22, 2026

The Klein Auditorium, Bridgeport, CT

All GCTYO ensembles perform over 3 concerts.

The Inna Berson Wetmore Excellence in Teaching Award will be presented to this year’s honoree during Concert 3.

Concert 1, 1 PM: Steel Pan Future Stars, Steel Pan Junior Stars, Saxophone Ensemble, Jazz II, Prelude, and String Orchestras.

Concert 2, 3:30 PM: Steel Pan All Stars, Percussion, Saxophone, Virtuosi, and Philharmonic Orchestras. Hear music by Mendelssohn, Offenbach, and Dvorak, among other selections, as well as a Chinese melody by Li Huanzhi.

Concert 3, 6:00 PM: Jazz I, Sinfonia, and Principal Orchestras. Hear big band Jazz music, Vivaldi, and Dvorak. The Principal program features “Rainbow Body” composed by Yale-based Chris Theofanidis and Rachmaninoff’s 2nd Piano Concerto with locally acclaimed soloist Will Duchon. The audience will also be treated to a Jack Lawrence medley called “Upon a Dream.”

Play All Day: Music at the Mall

Saturday, December 5, 2026

11:00 AM-4 PM

The SoNo Collection, Norwalk, CT

Join GCTYO for a massive celebration of music and community at Play All Day on December 5! All 15 GCTYO orchestras will perform throughout the day in the Magnificent Room at The SoNo Collection in Norwalk. A special treat will be to hear all 330 students across all orchestras perform a single piece together! Join the holiday buzz at the mall, do your holiday shopping, and support GCTYO, all at the same time!

SUPPORT PLAY ALL DAY WITH A DONATION

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Summer Music Showcase

Saturday, January 9, 2027

10:00 AM-12:30 PM, Fairfield, CT

Some of the region’s best summer music programs will visit GCTYO so that families can learn more about what they offer. This event is free and open to the public, but you must RSVP if you are not a GCTYO member family. Past participants include these residential summer programs: Long Lake Camp for the Arts, Camp Encore Coda, French Woods, Interlochen, Kinhaven, Laurel Music Camp, Litchfield Jazz Camp, Luzerne Music Camp, New England Conservatory, New England Music Camp, Philadelphia International Music Festival, Summer Jazz Workshop, and Walden School Young Musicians Program. Local camps include chamber music camps at Suzuki Music Schools and Chamber Music Central, plus GCTYO’s own orchestra camp, GCTYO Summer Music Festival!

GCTYO Concerto Competition

Saturday, January 30, 2027

1 PM, Pequot Library, Southport, CT

Be wowed by GCTYO’s most accomplished musicians as they vie for a $500 prize and the chance to perform as soloist at the Spring Concert! The GCTYO Concerto Competition is open to Principal Orchestra musicians in GCTYO only.  Read about last year’s finalists and competition adjudicators HERE. Admission is FREE! Doors open by 12:45 PM.

Winter Concerts

Sunday, March 7, 2027

The Klein Auditorium, Bridgeport, CT

Open Rehearsals for Prospective Families

Saturday, April 24, 2027

9:45-11 AM, Fairfield, CT

Spring Concerts

sponsored by Masonic Lodges of Stratford

Sunday, May 16, 2027

The Klein Auditorium, Bridgeport, CT