Bands
We are still accepting applications for Bass Clarinet, Bassoon, Horn, Oboe, Percussion, Trombone, and Tuba. Apply Now!
Meet our faculty
Youth Wind Symphony
Rafael & Luisa DMH Foundation Director of Bands and Director of the Youth Wind Symphony, Eleanor Núñez, is a Spanish-American conductor, pianist, and educator currently based in Southern California.
Eleanor programs concerts that bridge the gap between audience and musicians, pairing classics with modern works across orchestral, wind ensemble, and choral repertoires. Eleanor holds the Rafael & Luisa DMH Foundation Director of Bands position. The Rafael and Luisa de Marchena-Huyke Foundation shares her belief that music should be accessible to all and applauds her creative repertoire programming, enthusiastic rehearsals, and inviting concert environment. Eleanor is also the conducting instructor for the Community School.
Youth Wind Ensemble
Emma Johnson is the Wind Ensemble Director at the Colburn Community School. She studied conducting with Dr. Shawn Smith and bassoon with Dr. Christian Smith at Brigham Young University, earning a Bachelor of Arts in Music with a minor in Family Life. Formative experiences included touring Spain and Portugal with the BYU Wind Symphony and performing Beethoven’s 9th Symphony at the Tabernacle at Temple Square.
Ms. Johnson then earned her master’s degree and teaching credential at California State University-Fullerton, studying with Dr. Dustin Barr and Dr. Gregory Whitmore while performing bassoon in the university’s ensembles. She recently made her international conducting debut in Spain leading the CSUF Wind Ensemble.
About the Ensembles
Colburn Youth Wind Symphony
Full orchestra with strings, winds, brass, percussion, piano, and harp
The Colburn Youth Wind Symphony is Colburn’s premiere youth winds, brass, and percussion ensemble comprised of select high school wind and percussion students who demonstrate advanced technical proficiency, musical maturity, and a commitment to excellence. With a focus on challenging original and transcribed repertoire for winds, the ensemble offers an intensive experience designed to refine ensemble playing, elevate musical interpretation, and strengthen individual preparation.
Admission is highly selective, and the small roster places a strong emphasis on each member’s personal accountability, leadership within the group, and artistry. Students are expected to arrive at rehearsals fully prepared and engaged, ready to contribute to a high-level, professional rehearsal environment.
Age Requirement
13–18 years
Schedule
Sundays, 5:30–8 pm
Colburn Youth Wind Ensemble
Full orchestra with strings, winds, brass, percussion, piano, and harp
The Colburn Youth Wind Ensemble is an ensemble designed for middle and high school wind and percussion students who demonstrate playing ability at the intermediate level. No previous band experience is required. This ensemble emphasizes music reading and ensemble skills.
Age Requirement
11–18 years
Schedule
Sundays, 6–8 pm
Audition Information
Audition Requirements
New students must submit a complete application and perform a live audition on either April 4 or May 16-17, 2026. Returning students must submit a complete audition with a video recording of their audition. Returning students do not need to perform a live audition.
Please see the audition requirements below:
- Excerpt for your instrument
- Full range chromatic scale (Concert Pitch)
- F, B-flat, E-flat, and A-flat Major in as many octaves as you can play
If you have any audition-related questions, please contact the Band Coordinator, Arnulfo Reyes, at areyes@colburnschool.edu.
Minimum Age Requirements
Colburn Youth Wind Ensemble: 6th grade (some age exceptions made)
Colburn Youth Winds: 9th grade (some age exceptions made)
Scholarships
The Colburn Community School of Performing Arts welcomes students of varying levels of experience and instruction. We recognize that some students may require financial support to cover the cost of their studies. Thanks to the generosity of individuals and foundations both locally and nationally, the Community School offers robust scholarships for students who are enrolled in private lessons, ensembles, and group classes.
For more information on how to apply visit our scholarship page.
Rolling acceptance dates
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- June 15th – application and video audition deadline
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Results by June 20th
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- July 31st – application and video audition deadline
- Results by August 10th
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