Join Our Youth Orchestra!
Rowan Youth Orchestra
This ensemble is dedicated to performing unabridged orchestral works as well as upper level arrangements from a variety of musical genres.


COME JOIN US!
AN INTRODUCTION TO THE ROWAN YOUTH ORCHESTRA
Interested in the Rowan Youth Orchestra? Watch this introductory video for RYO! Come join our community!
Come join Us!
More About Us
- The Rowan Youth Orchestra, now in its 39th year, under the Direction of Sue On (Artistic Director) a full orchestra including strings, brass, and percussion instruments. Orchestra members are typically in grades 8-12 from schools throughout southern New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Delaware. Auditions will be accepted in person on Sunday, September 11th: 1:00-3:30pm! Auditions will also be accepted via online submission before September 11, 2022, go.rowan.edu/contactus to inquire. Auditions will consist of scales, a prepared solo, and an orchestral excerpt for all instruments. For specific audition requirements for each instrument, please see below.
- The RYO is dedicated to performing unabridged orchestral works as well as upper level arrangements from a variety of musical genres such as these performed in the recent past:
-
Suite from The Firebird - Igor StravinskyViolin Concerto in A minor - Antonio Vivaldi featuring Dr. Timothy SchwarzOverture to Nabucco - Giuseppe VerdiFanfare for the Common Man - Aaron CoplandDance of the Tumblers from The Snow Maiden - Nicolai Rimsky - KorsakovCapriccio Italien - Pytor Ilyich TchaikovskyMenuet from L’Arlesienne - Georges BizetSymphony No. 5 IV. Finale - Dimitri Shostakovich
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- Faculty: Sue On, Rowan Youth Orchestra Artistic Director
- When: Sundays, 6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
- Where: Wilson Hall, Room 156
- Rehearsal Dates: 1/15/2023 - 4/29/2023
- Performances: December 4, 2022 & April 29, 2023
- Concert Tickets: Visit go.rowan.edu/boxoffice to purchase tickets for all ensemble concerts!
- Cost: $242 Spring 2023 Tuition due at time of registration. Audition Required. First Rehearsal Jan 15
- A payment plan option is also available for full year participation. All students are required to make tuition payments through the Marketplace online system after they have been accepted as per their audition. Credit Card, Check, or Money Order (NO CASH) officially.
- A late fee of $15 will be assessed for ensemble tuition not paid by October 1, 2022 and 2nd payments on the payment plan.
- A 10% discount is available for students taking private lessons through Rowan CMS. Please contact Rowan CMS for more details.
- Rehearsals are scheduled to take place in person at Rowan University.
- Please be advised that we reserve the right to change the format of offerings without notice based on the Federal, State and Local guidelines related to the COVID-19 global health pandemic.
- Please be advised all campus visitors must continue to follow the most up-to-date Rowan University campus visitor policies, which can be found here.
- The Rowan Youth Orchestra, now in its 39th year, under the Direction of Sue On (Artistic Director) a full orchestra including strings, brass, and percussion instruments. Orchestra members are typically in grades 8-12 from schools throughout southern New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Delaware. Auditions will be accepted in person on Sunday, September 11th: 1:00-3:30pm! Auditions will also be accepted via online submission before September 11, 2022, go.rowan.edu/contactus to inquire. Auditions will consist of scales, a prepared solo, and an orchestral excerpt for all instruments. For specific audition requirements for each instrument, please see below.
- The RYO is dedicated to performing unabridged orchestral works as well as upper level arrangements from a variety of musical genres such as these performed in the recent past:
-
Suite from The Firebird - Igor StravinskyViolin Concerto in A minor - Antonio Vivaldi featuring Dr. Timothy SchwarzOverture to Nabucco - Giuseppe VerdiFanfare for the Common Man - Aaron CoplandDance of the Tumblers from The Snow Maiden - Nicolai Rimsky - KorsakovCapriccio Italien - Pytor Ilyich TchaikovskyMenuet from L’Arlesienne - Georges BizetSymphony No. 5 IV. Finale - Dimitri Shostakovich
-
- Faculty: Sue On, Rowan Youth Orchestra Artistic Director
- When: Sundays, 6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
- Where: Wilson Hall, Room 156
- Rehearsal Dates: 1/15/2023 - 4/29/2023
- Performances: December 4, 2022 & April 29, 2023
- Concert Tickets: Visit go.rowan.edu/boxoffice to purchase tickets for all ensemble concerts!
- Cost: $242 Spring 2023 Tuition due at time of registration. Audition Required. First Rehearsal Jan 15
- A payment plan option is also available for full year participation. All students are required to make tuition payments through the Marketplace online system after they have been accepted as per their audition. Credit Card, Check, or Money Order (NO CASH) officially.
- A late fee of $15 will be assessed for ensemble tuition not paid by October 1, 2022 and 2nd payments on the payment plan.
- A 10% discount is available for students taking private lessons through Rowan CMS. Please contact Rowan CMS for more details.
- Rehearsals are scheduled to take place in person at Rowan University.
- Please be advised that we reserve the right to change the format of offerings without notice based on the Federal, State and Local guidelines related to the COVID-19 global health pandemic.
- Please be advised all campus visitors must continue to follow the most up-to-date Rowan University campus visitor policies, which can be found here.

Play to your Heart's Content.
Don't Miss Out on the Youth Orchestra here at Rowan!
Rehearsals are scheduled to take place in-person at Rowan University!
Come Prepared!
Audition Requirements
- This year (2022-2023) auditions will be accepted in person on Thursday, July 28th: 4:30-6:00pm and Sunday, September 11th: 1:00-3:30pm! Auditions will also be accepted via online submission before September 11, 2022. Click here to schedule your audition.
- Virtual Auditions will only be granted in special circumstances. Inquire within.
- If you choose to submit your video audition as one file or multiple files, they must be sent to the appropriate email either shared via google drive or privately shared on YouTube with a link. Your files must be clearly labeled with your First Name, Last Name, and Instrument.
- A solo piece of your choosing that you feel comfortable playing. The piece should demonstrate the full range of your technique and musicality.
- Percussion: One mandatory solo on the Snare Drum or Timpani (If you have accesses to the instrument). It is encouraged that if you have access to a mallet percussion instrument, you include a brief mallet solo.
- You will need to play 2 scales of your choosing.
- Violin/Viola/Cello/Bass: Major or minor scales in 2 or 3 octaves.
- Woodwinds & Brass: Major or minor scales, 2, or 3 octaves as appropriate for your instrument.
- Percussion: Demonstrate loud (fff) and soft (ppp) rolls on snare drum (mandatory) and timpani (optional, if available) and loud (fff) and soft (ppp) crashes on a pair of crash cymbals (optional, if available). It is encouraged that if a student has access to a mallet percussion instrument, 2 different major or minor scales in 2 octaves on marimba, xylophone, or bell set.
- In lieu of sight-reading this year, musicians will be asked to submit the corresponding orchestral excerpt(s) posted on the webpage.
- Percussion: Only play the mallet percussion excerpt if you have access to a xylophone.
- HINT: It is better to take a slow tempo that is comfortable rather than a fast tempo that will cause you to stop. Harps do not need to submit an orchestral excerpt.
- This year (2022-2023) auditions will be accepted in person on Thursday, July 28th: 4:30-6:00pm and Sunday, September 11th: 1:00-3:30pm! Auditions will also be accepted via online submission before September 11, 2022. Click here to schedule your audition.
- Virtual Auditions will only be granted in special circumstances. Inquire within.
- If you choose to submit your video audition as one file or multiple files, they must be sent to the appropriate email either shared via google drive or privately shared on YouTube with a link. Your files must be clearly labeled with your First Name, Last Name, and Instrument.
- A solo piece of your choosing that you feel comfortable playing. The piece should demonstrate the full range of your technique and musicality.
- Percussion: One mandatory solo on the Snare Drum or Timpani (If you have accesses to the instrument). It is encouraged that if you have access to a mallet percussion instrument, you include a brief mallet solo.
- You will need to play 2 scales of your choosing.
- Violin/Viola/Cello/Bass: Major or minor scales in 2 or 3 octaves.
- Woodwinds & Brass: Major or minor scales, 2, or 3 octaves as appropriate for your instrument.
- Percussion: Demonstrate loud (fff) and soft (ppp) rolls on snare drum (mandatory) and timpani (optional, if available) and loud (fff) and soft (ppp) crashes on a pair of crash cymbals (optional, if available). It is encouraged that if a student has access to a mallet percussion instrument, 2 different major or minor scales in 2 octaves on marimba, xylophone, or bell set.
- In lieu of sight-reading this year, musicians will be asked to submit the corresponding orchestral excerpt(s) posted on the webpage.
- Percussion: Only play the mallet percussion excerpt if you have access to a xylophone.
- HINT: It is better to take a slow tempo that is comfortable rather than a fast tempo that will cause you to stop. Harps do not need to submit an orchestral excerpt.