Orchestras
Applications for the 2026-27 academic are open now!
About the Advanced Orchestra
The Community School of Performing Arts offers two different advanced orchestras for students between the ages of 13 and 18. Members of each ensemble are selected through competitive auditions each year.
About the Director
A search is currently in process for the 2026-27 Director of Orchestra. The new Director of Orchestras will be announced in April 2026. Eleanor Nunez will continue as the Rafael & Luisa DMH Director of Bands at the Colburn Community School of Performing Arts.
Eleanor Núñez leads the Colburn Youth Orchestra and the Colburn Youth Sinfonietta is an accomplished Spanish-American symphonic conductor, pianist, and in-demand educator who routinely guest conducts district honor orchestras and adjudicates district orchestra festivals in Southern California. She has served as the Symphony Orchestra Director at Irvine Valley College and conducted concerts with professional ensembles like the Orquesta Sinfónica de la Ciudad de Asunción in Asunción, Paraguay, and Camerata Antonio Soler String Orchestra in San Lorenzo de el Escorial, Madrid, Spain, in addition to groups in the US. Eleanor holds the Rafael & Luisa DMH Foundation Director of Bands position and is the conducting instructor in the Colburn Community School of Performing Arts.
About the Ensembles
NEW Colburn Youth Philharmonic
Full orchestra with strings, winds, brass, percussion, piano, and harp
The Colburn Youth Philharmonic will replace the Colburn Youth Orchestra as the premiere orchestral ensemble of the Colburn Community School of Performing Arts (CSPA). In its inaugural year, it will be a comprehensive addition to Colburn’s NEW Advanced Musicians Performance Program. Colburn’s top orchestra is renowned for its high level of artistry and musical excellence. This ensemble is dedicated to performing a diverse repertoire that spans from standard and contemporary symphonic literature to newly commissioned works and unique arrangements created specifically for the orchestra.
The Colburn Youth Philharmonic’s dynamic programming is designed to challenge and inspire its young musicians, highlight the technical skill and artistic maturity of the ensemble, and contributing to the evolution of orchestral music. This ensemble performs at some of the most prestigious venues in Los Angeles, including the iconic Walt Disney Concert Hall, the Alex Theatre in Glendale, the Aratani Theatre in Little Tokyo, and the Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA), and soon at Colburn’s new concert hall, Kohl Hall.
Duration
Sundays, 1–4 pm
Colburn Youth Orchestra
Full orchestra with strings, winds, brass, percussion, piano, and harp
The Colburn Youth Orchestra (CYO) is the 2nd orchestral ensemble at the Colburn Community School of Performing Arts (CSPA), dedicated to providing young musicians with the experience of performing large-scale symphonic works throughout the academic year. This ensemble offers students a comprehensive introduction to the demands and rewards of performing in a full orchestral setting and focuses on developing essential skills like playing in a variety of styles with a high-level expressive musicianship.
The CYO fosters an environment where students can grow as musicians, learning the importance of musical teamwork, and the intricacies of orchestral balance and interpretation. This experience not only enhances their technical abilities but also instills a deep appreciation for the collaborative nature of orchestral music.
Duration
Saturdays, 4–7 pm
Audition Information
Minimum Age Requirements: must be 13 years old by September 1, 2026
Audition Requirements
We are doing prescreens this year for continuing students and inviting new student for in-person auditions. Please complete the application and prepare the audition requirements listed below.
- Solo concerto, etude, or showpiece (without accompaniment) that demonstrates technical and interpretive accomplishment.
- Two excerpts for your instrument – excerpts are listed by instrument family in the file linked below.
Details regarding live auditions will be sent to all applicants in the coming weeks. If you have any questions, please contact the Coordinator, Josiah Vietti, for more information.
2026–27 Advanced Orchestra Application Form
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.
Important Dates
Early Applicants
April 1: Application Deadline
April 4: New Student Live Auditions
May 1: Results Release
May 15: Deposit Deadline
Regular Applicants
May 1: Application Deadline
May 17: New Student Live Auditions
June 2: Results Release
June 15: Deposit Deadline