Concerts & Events

Jack Lawrence Fall Concerts

Sunday, November 23, 2025

The Klein Auditorium, Bridgeport, CT

All GCTYO ensembles perform over 2 concerts.

The Inna Berson Wetmore Excellence in Teaching Award will be presented to this year’s honoree during Concert 2.

Concert 1, 1 PM: Steel Pan Future Stars, Steel Pan Junior Stars, Saxophone Ensemble, Saxophone Orchestra, Jazz II,  and Prelude, Sinfonia, and Virtuosi Orchestras. Virtuosi Orchestra will perform “Tenderly” by American songwriter Jack Lawrence. Other selections include music from Mozart, Dizzy Gillespie, and John Williams.

Concert 2, 5:30 PM: Steel Pan All Stars, Percussion, Flute, Jazz I, and String, Philharmonic, and Principal Orchestras. Hear music by Sibelius, Tchaikovsky, and Aaron Copland, among other selections. Our 88 Principal Orchestra musicians will perform the world premiere of “On Becoming Ungathered,” composed by Armando Bayolo and featuring Eric Schultz on clarinet. 

Play All Day: Music at the Mall

Saturday, December 6, 2025

11:00 AM-5 PM

The SoNo Collection, Norwalk, CT

Join GCTYO for a massive celebration of music and community at Play All Day on December 6! 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 320 students across 15 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

Summer Music Showcase

Saturday, January 10, 2026

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: 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 31, 2026

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.