Concerts & Events
Open Rehearsals for Prospective Families
Saturday, October 26, 2024
10-11:15 AM, Fairfield, CT
Prospective musicians and their families are invited to view and listen to Saturday morning rehearsals in Fairfield. In addition to touring the school and popping in on orchestra and sectional rehearsals, families will be invited to meet students, parents and Board Members and participate in a Q&A with Music Director Chris Hisey. Learn the history and philosophy of GCTYO and what makes us a thriving and exciting organization valued by more than 300 families. Attending a Fall Concert on November 24 will round out the GCTYO experience for prospective members. We welcome all orchestral instruments plus saxophone and baritone. GCTYO serves students in 4th grade through 12th grade. Kindly RSVP to gctyo@gctyo.org
Fall Auditions for New Students
Wednesday, November 13, 2024
6-8 PM, Fairfield, CT
Visit our Auditions page for more information. Registration is required! If accepted, new students would begin rehearsals on Saturday, Dec. 7.
Jack Lawrence Fall Concerts
Sunday, November 24, 2024
The Klein Auditorium, Bridgeport, CT
All GCTYO ensembles perform over 3 concerts. Tickets will go on sale October 21, 2024.
Concert 1, 1 PM: Steel Pan Future Stars, Junior Stars, and All Stars, and Percussion, Jazz II, Saxophone, and Jazz I Orchestras.
Concert 2, 4 PM: String, Sinfonia, and Virtuosi Orchestras. Classical selections, plus music by American songwriter Jack Lawrence.
Concert 3, 6:30 PM: Principal & Philharmonic Orchestras. Our 88 Principal Orchestra musicians will perform the “New World Symphony” (Symphony No. 9) by Antonin Dvorak under the baton of Christopher Hisey. Philharmonic will perform works by Schubert, Sibelius, and Dvorak. In addition, GCTYO will present its inaugural Inna Berson Wetmore Excellence in Teaching Award to Bernice Friedson, longtime music educator and former Concertmaster of the Greater Bridgeport Symphony.
Summer Music Showcase
Saturday, January 11, 2025
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. These residential summer programs came last year and we expect to see them again this year: BU Tanglewood, 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 25, 2025
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 2, 2025
The Klein Auditorium, Bridgeport, CT
Details and ticket link to come.
Open Rehearsals for Prospective Families
Saturday, April 26, 2025
10-11:15 AM, Fairfield, CT
Prospective musicians and their families are invited to view and listen to Saturday morning rehearsals in Fairfield. In addition to touring the school and popping in on orchestra and sectional rehearsals, families will be invited to meet students, parents and Board Members and participate in a Q&A with Music Director Chris Hisey. Learn the history and philosophy of GCTYO and what makes us a thriving and exciting organization valued by more than 300 families. Attending a Spring Concert on May 18 will round out the GCTYO experience for prospective members. We welcome all orchestral instruments plus saxophone and baritone. GCTYO serves students in 4th grade through 12th grade. We also offer a summer camp for string players. Kindly RSVP to gctyo@gctyo.org.
Spring Concerts
sponsored by Masonic Lodges of Stratford
Sunday, May 18, 2025
The Klein Auditorium, Bridgeport, CT
All GCTYO ensembles perform! The winner of the 2025 GCTYO Concerto Competition will perform as soloist with Principal Orchestra.
New Student Auditions
Wednesday, June 11, 2025
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 5th-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. Watch our Audition Video.
Register
GCTYO Summer Music Festival
July 21-August 1, 2025
Roger Ludlowe MS, Fairfield, CT
- 10 full days of music!
- All ages 5th grade and up with at least 1 year experience on instrument
- No audition necessary
- Learn from GCTYO Teaching Artists
- Financial assistance available for those who qualify
Registration will open in 2025.