Concert // All Performing Ensembles
2025-05-05 18:30 - 20:00 (America/New_York) | Kannapolis Middle School Auditorium, 1000 Virginia Dare St, Kannapolis, NC, United States
You won’t want to miss the NCYO’s Season Finale concert featuring ALL of the NCYO’s performing ensembles: Orchestra, Philharmonic, Brass Ensemble, Junior Brass Ensemble, and Woodwind Ensemble. Grab your tickets now!

Musical Exploration Day!
2025-06-21 09:00 - 12:00, 2025-07-19 09:00 - 12:00, 2025-08-09 09:00 - 12:00 | Bailey Middle School, 11900 Bailey Road, Cornelius, NC, 28031, United States

2025-2026 Rehearsals & Classes Begin
2025-09-08 | Bailey Middle School, 11900 Bailey Road, Cornelius, NC, 28031, United States

2025-2026 NCYO Faculty Recital
2025-09-28 14:30 - 16:00 | Davidson College Presbyterian Church, 100 N Main St, Davidson, NC, 28036, United States
The North Carolina Youth Orchestra will be hosting its third annual Faculty Recital on September 28, 2025 at Davidson College Presbyterian Church on the campus of Davidson College. Our team, primarily comprised of Charlotte Symphony Orchestra musicians, will be performing an exciting range of solo and chamber musical works.
Get your tickets!

Concert || Orchestra + Brass, Woodwind, & Percussion Ensembles
2025-10-20 18:30 - 20:00 | Joe V. Knox Auditorium @ Charles Mack Citizen Center, 215 N Main St, Mooresville, NC, 28115, United States
Join us at the Charles Mack Citizen Center in Mooresville for an exciting evening of music featuring the talented young musicians of the North Carolina Youth Orchestra! The concert will showcase a vibrant mix of brass, wind, percussion ensemble performances, followed by our orchestra.
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Concert || Philharmonic + Sinfonia, Junior Brass & Woodwind Ensembles
2025-11-15 15:00 - 16:00 | Ambassador Christian School, 2520 Ambassador Christian Way, Huntersville, NC, 28078, United States
Join us at the Ambassador Christian School in Huntersville for an afternoon performance featuring the talented young musicians of the North Carolina Youth Orchestra! The concert will showcase our intermediate brass, wind, and string ensembles, followed by our Philharmonic. Program TBA. Don’t miss this showcase of the incredible talent and musicality of our young artists!
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FREE! Community Concert - Woodwind Ensembles
2025-11-23 14:30 - 15:30 | The Pines at Davidson, 400 Avinger Ln, Davidson, NC, 28036, United States

Holiday Showcase Concert \ All Orchestras and Ensembles
2025-12-06 14:00 - 16:00 | Ambassador Christian School, 2520 Ambassador Christian Way, Huntersville, NC, 28078, United States
Experience the magic of the holiday season with the North Carolina Youth Orchestra’s highly anticipated “Holiday Showcase”! Join us for an enchanting evening filled with seasonal favorites, including a carol sing-a-long! This semester-ending concert will feature ALL of the NCYO’s performing ensembles: Orchestra, Philharmonic, Brass Ensemble, Woodwind Ensemble, Percussion Ensemble, Junior Brass Ensemble, Junior Woodwind Ensemble, and Sinfonia Strings. You won’t want to miss this musical celebration!
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Backstage with NCYO: Auditions
2026-01-31 09:00 - 10:30 | NC
Join us for a free youth orchestra-focused event as we host a helpful informational session centered on audition preparation for young musicians. Students and families will learn practical strategies for building an effective practice plan, selecting audition repertoire, preparing scales and excerpts, and developing confident performance habits. We’ll also discuss what adjudicators typically listen for, how to manage nerves, and how to make the most of your warm-up and audition day experience. This session will conclude with an audience Q&A. Young musicians and their families from across the Charlotte region and beyond are invited to attend, whether your student is preparing for youth orchestra auditions, honor orchestras, summer festivals, or other opportunities.
Get your FREE tickets here!

April 18 - Auditions
2026-04-18 08:30 - 12:00 | Davidson United Methodist Church, 233 S Main St, Davidson, NC, 28036, United States
Students may register to audition for a performing ensemble at www.ncyo.com/register .

Family Concert & Instrument Discovery Day
2026-04-25 10:00 - 12:30 | Davidson United Methodist Church, 233 S Main St, Davidson, NC, 28036, United States
Instrument Discovery Days let students and families try out all of the instruments that comprise the orchestra. Students and attendees will be guided through their experience with each instrument by experienced musicians and instructors. The decision to learn an instrument can be a big one, IDD gives kids the opportunity to find what sparks their interest and connect with NCYO artistic faculty and student and parent volunteers.
The North Carolina Youth Orchestra will kick off the event with a Free Family Concert, allowing aspiring musicians to hear the instrument play within an orchestra setting!
Get your FREE tickets!

Educational Classes Showcase!
2026-04-26 15:00 - 16:30 | Cain Center for the Arts, 21348 Catawba Ave, Cornelius, NC, 28031, United States
Join us for the first-ever showcase of the NCYO’s newest musicians from our educational classes! The concert will feature our Brass, Woodwind, Percussion Challenge, and Prelude Strings students. This is an opportunity to see the next generation of young musicians take the stage for the first time!
About the Brass Challenge class: The Brass Challenge provides an incredible and unique opportunity for upper elementary and middle school brass players to receive instruction from some of the area’s finest brass musicians. This beginner-focused semester program features classes for trumpet, horn, trombone, tuba, and euphonium and boasts a faculty comprised of exclusively Juilliard alumni. Students are given robust instruction on fundamentals and valuable instrument-specific technical insights.
About the Woodwind Challenge class: The Woodwind Challenge provides an incredible and unique opportunity for beginner woodwind players to receive instruction from some of the area’s finest wind musicians. This beginner-focused program features classes for flute, clarinet, saxophone, oboe, and bassoon. Students are given robust instruction on fundamentals and valuable instrument-specific technical insights.
About the Percussion Challenge class: The Percussion Challenge provides an incredible and unique opportunity for aspiring young percussionists to receive instruction from one of the Charlotte region’s finest percussionists and educators, Jordan McCray. This beginner-focused program features instruction on the full range of percussion instruments. Students are given robust instruction on fundamentals and valuable instrument-specific technical insights.
About the Prelude Strings class: NCYO’s beginning strings class is the perfect fit for students just starting their music education journey. The goal of the Prelude Strings is to introduce and develop the skills needed for orchestral playing in a fun and enjoyable environment.

Supporting Young Musicians: By attending this concert, you not only treat yourself to an extraordinary musical experience but also support the dreams and aspirations of our talented young musicians. Your presence in the audience helps nurture the next generation of musicians, ensuring music continues to thrive in our community.
Don’t miss this fantastic showcase of our NCYO students. Book your tickets now!

2025-2026 Season Finale Showcase
2026-05-03 15:00 - 16:30 | Ambassador Christian School, 2520 Ambassador Christian Way, Huntersville, NC, 28078, United States
You won’t want to miss the 2025-2026 Season Finale concert featuring ALL of the NCYO’s performing ensembles: Orchestra, Philharmonic, Brass Ensemble, Junior Brass Ensemble, Woodwind Ensemble, Junior Woodwind Ensemble, Percussion Ensemble, Sinfonia Strings Ensemble, and Youth Choir. Grab your tickets now!
Get Spring 2026 Season Tickets and enjoy the entire concert series!
About the Orchestra: The Orchestra is NCYO’s premier ensemble, featuring musicians from all four instrument families under the direction of Eric Boruff.
About the Philharmonic: The Philharmonic is the perfect opportunity for intermediate and advancing string musicians to further develop their orchestral playing! Under the direction of Jen Bassett, this group will perform a wide variety of musical genres.
About the Brass Ensemble: The NCYO Brass Ensemble is our premier brass program connecting elite instruction with more experienced brass youth musicians in the local area. The ensemble is directed by Tom Burge, a member of the Charlotte Symphony Orchestra.
About the Woodwind Ensemble: The NCYO Woodwind Ensemble is our premier woodwind program and is an exclusive opportunity connecting elite instruction with more experienced woodwind youth musicians in the local area. The ensemble is directed by Sam Sparrow, a member of the Charlotte Symphony Orchestra and instructor at Queens University.
About the Percussion Ensemble: The NCYO Percussion Ensemble is our brand-new percussion program and is an exclusive opportunity connecting elite instruction with more experienced percussion youth musicians in the local area. The ensemble is directed by Stephanie Wilson, principal timpanist with the Fayetteville Symphony.
About the Junior Brass Ensemble: NCYO’s intermediate brass ensemble is the perfect fit for brass students looking to learn ensemble skills. Students in the Junior Brass Ensemble will be given the necessary tools to achieve excellent fundamental technique while being introduced to chamber ensemble playing. The ensemble is directed by Andrew Fierova, a member of the Charlotte Symphony Orchestra and instructor at Davidson College.
About the Junior Woodwind Ensemble: NCYO’s intermediate woodwind ensemble is the perfect fit for wind students looking to learn ensemble skills. Students in the Junior Woodwind Ensemble will be given the necessary tools to achieve excellent fundamental technique while being introduced to ensemble playing. The ensemble is directed by Nick Ritter, a member of the Charlotte Symphony Orchestra.
About the Sinfonia Strings Ensemble: The NCYO’s Sinfonia Strings Ensemble is a beginning to intermediate strings ensemble for student musicians under the direction of Julia Fierova.
About the Youth Choir: NCYO Youth Choir is a welcoming choral program for young singers that emphasizes musical excellence, joyful participation, and community through singing. Under the direction of Renata Berlin, singers develop healthy vocal technique, musicianship, and ensemble skills through engaging rehearsals and carefully chosen repertoire. Instruction is designed to meet singers where they are while encouraging growth, confidence, and collaboration.
Supporting Young Musicians: By attending this concert, you not only treat yourself to an extraordinary musical experience but also support the dreams and aspirations of our talented young musicians. Your presence in the audience helps nurture the next generation of musicians, ensuring music continues to thrive in our community.
Don’t miss this fantastic showcase – book your tickets now!

Auditions - May 16
2026-05-16 08:30 - 12:30 | Davidson United Methodist Church, 233 S Main St, Davidson, NC, 28036, United States
