Who are we?
North Valley Youth Orchestra (NVYO) is an advanced level string orchestra. The ensemble is comprised mostly of high school age students. However, dedicated middle school students, and high school graduates who are 20 years old or younger are welcome to audition. Typically, students must have studied their instrument for 4-5 years, and completed Suzuki Book 5 or an equivalent before successfully auditioning for the Youth Orchestra. Violins, violas and cellos should be proficient in all 2-octave scales, and are learning 3-octave scales. (Basses should be proficient in 2-octave scales.)
Director
Born and raised in Hilo, Hawai‘i, Mr. Suehiro studied trombone and music education at the Indiana University Jacobs School of Music, and earned the Master of Music in Conducting from ASU. Mr. Suehiro is an avid multi-instrumentalist, having spent several seasons in the NVSO bass section, and he has played flute, violin, and horn in the pit orchestra for Paradise Valley High School musical productions. He is committed to coaching students to musical excellence. Outside of music, Mr. Suehiro thrives in the kitchen and is active in the local food community.
Join Us
If you have a passion to perform great music, can meet weekly for rehearsals, are willing to commit to the necessary practice, and want to have fun playing music with your friends, then we want you in our North Valley Youth Orchestra!
We offer a "ladder up" for young musicians. There are no limits! NVSO provides students the ability to progress from North Valley Symphonettes, to North Valley Youth Strings, and then to North Valley Youth Orchestra. Some students even choose to audition for the NVSO Adult Orchestra. See our current members at the NVSO Youth Ensembles page.
New Key Dates
Monday September 9 - First Rehearsal
Friday September 13 - 2nd Audition Window Extended - (join NLT Sep 16)
Saturday December 7 - Winter Concert - Paradise Valley HS
Monday December 9 - Final Fall Semester Rehearsal/Christmas Caroling Party
Friday January 17 - Spring Semester Audition Deadline
Monday January 27 - Spring Semester First Rehearsal
Saturday April 5 - Summerford Violin Competition
Saturday May 10 - Spring Concert - Paradise Valley HS
All students must audition to participate in Youth Orchestra, including returning students.
Register below after receiving notification of your acceptance.
+Rehearsals and at Home Practice
Attend weekly live rehearsals with ensemble directors, which include rehearsals of assigned music, and lessons in technique and music appreciation. Rehearsals are held from 5:00 - 6:30 on Mondays.
The rehearsal venue is: Shiloh Community Church, 19021 N 32nd St, Phoenix, AZ 85050
+Concerts
North Valley Youth Orchestra performs at least one mandatory concert at the end of each semester. An optional “outreach concert” is sometimes scheduled for a performance in a mall setting or retirement center.
+ Tuition
Full Season Tuition (Fall 2024 - Spring 2025) $295
Sibling discounts of $100 are available.
Financial assistance from the LEMM scholarship fund may be available upon request.
+ Community Health & Covid 19 Protocols
Each NVSO participant is individually responsible to take the personal precautions appropriate for their specific vaccination and general health status. Students are required to not attend rehearsals and concerts if they are sick.
+ Audition Materials
Download the Excerpt and Scales appropriate to your instrument below:
+ Video audition
All students desiring to join NVYO must audition every season. This requirement helps more serious students become accustomed to the audition process. Please record a short video and upload it for us to review.
Include the following Scales - one played detache, and one played slur 4, at about 60-70 BPM:
Violin - 3-Octave A melodic minor and Bb major scale and arpeggio
Viola and Cello - 3-Octave D melodic minor and Eb major scale and arpeggio
Contrabass - 2-Octave G melodic minor and A major scale and arpeggio.
Include the Excerpts listed for your instrument in the Audition Materials. Everyone must prepare Excerpt #1 & #2. Individuals auditioning for leadership roles in the orchestra must prepare all three excerpts #1, #2 & #3.
Include a Solo Piece from your current techniques book or a concerto you are working on. Choose something you really enjoy that shows us how well you can play!
Test your video camera to ensure good lighting and sound. Make sure your fingers and bow arm are visible. Using a smart phone or iPad camera placed on a stand about 45 degrees to your right side usually works just fine.
After you record your video, upload it using the “Upload Video Audition” button.
During the upload, you will be asked to sign into a Google account. If you do not have a Google account, and do not wish to or need assistance in creating one, contact NVSO at youth@northvalleysymphony.org to arrange for an alternate means to upload your video.
If you have general questions please contact the NVSO Youth Registrar at youth@northvalleysymphony.org or call 623-980-4628
Questions about the ensemble are best answered by the
North Valley Youth Orchestra Director, Mr. Dylan Suehiro at: dylans@northvalleysymphony.org