Youth Orchestras
The Reno Phil hosts four Youth Orchestras, which together serve over 230 talented student musicians. Members benefit from full orchestral rehearsals, sectional coaching from professional musicians, and high-level guest conductors. The Reno Phil also sponsors tuition scholarships, a concerto competition with cash prizes for winners in each of five divisions, senior scholarships, and two summer camp scholarships.
Each year, the Reno Phil proudly supports young musicians in the Reno Phil Youth Orchestras through two special scholarships that make summer music experiences possible: the Oscar J. Fox Scholarship and the McKenna A. Miller Scholarship.
Both awards provide up to $2,000 for one student each year to attend a summer overnight music program, where they can learn from inspiring teachers, meet fellow young musicians, and grow through immersive study and performance.
The Oscar J. Fox Scholarship, established in 2013 by Bob and Nancy Cashell, honors composer Oscar J. Fox and helps students deepen their musical education through summer study.
The McKenna A. Miller Scholarship, created in 2024 by Chris and Janice Commons in memory of their granddaughter McKenna, a talented French horn player and Youth Symphony Orchestra member, carries forward her legacy of passion, dedication, and love for music.
Together, these scholarships celebrate the spirit of learning, creativity, and community that define the Reno Phil Youth Orchestras, helping young musicians take the next step in their artistic journeys.
YOUTH SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA
Open to advance students grade 5 to grade 12
Open to violin, viola, cello, bass, flute, oboe, clarinet, bassoon, horn, trumpet, trombone, tuba, & percussion students.
Rehearsals at McKinley Arts & Culture Center
Directed by Dr. Jason Altieri
The Youth Symphony Orchestra (YSO) was founded in 1995 to give a high-level orchestral experience to middle and high school students from northern Nevada and northern California. Since this time, the YSO has become the region’s premier youth orchestra, comprised of exceptional musicians who perform advanced symphonic repertoire.
Many YSO members have gone on to perform with the Reno Philharmonic and other professional orchestras. The YSO is conducted by Dr. Jason Altieri who is also the Assistant Conductor of the Reno Philharmonic and Director of Orchestras at the University of Nevada, Reno.
Youth Concert Orchestra
Open to upper intermediate students grade 4 through grade 12
Open to violin, viola, cello, bass, flute, oboe, clarinet, bassoon, horn, trumpet, trombone, tuba, & percussion students
Rehearsals at Damonte Ranch High School
Directed by Dustin Budish
In 1999 a second Youth Orchestra group was added—the Youth Concert Orchestra (YCO), a preparatory ensemble geared toward developing technical and performance skills. While YCO members often work toward becoming members of the YSO, the Youth Concert Orchestra has itself become an esteemed performing ensemble.
The YCO is conducted by Dustin Budish, who is also the principal violist in the Reno Phil and a Reno Phil Youth Orchestra alum.
YOUTH STRINGS SYMPHONIA
• Open to intermediate students grade 4 through grade 9
• Open to violin, viola, cello & bass students
• Rehearsals at Billinghurst Middle School
• Directed by Laurentiu Norocel
In 2009 the Reno Philharmonic Association created a third strings-only orchestra, the Youth Strings Symphonia (YSS). The YSS was established to serve the abundance of young string players in grades 4-8. In its first season the YSS consisted of 35 members, grew to over 60 in the second season, and now has annual membership of around 75 players. The Youth Strings Symphonia is conducted by Laurentiu Norocel.
YOUTH STRINGS ENSEMBLE
Open to beginning students grade 2 and up
Open to violin, viola, cello & bass students
Rehearsals at Billinghurst Middle School
Directed by Jeff Lindhorst
Launched in 2018, the Youth String Ensemble (YSE) is a strings-only orchestra serving students grades 2 and up. Under the direction of Jeff Lindhorst, the YSE rehearses weekly at Billinghurst Middle School, and gives string students who begin private lessons from a young age or are a member of the Reno Phil Association Kids (RPAK) program an opportunity to play in an ensemble from an early age. This ensemble is ideal for students in middle school or elementary school who are eager to explore additional playing opportunities in a group setting.