05/14/2026
Meeting Northern Ohio Youth Orchestra - By: Kathryn Kasper
Iâve had the amazing opportunity to speak with Nathan Haloway, the Executive and Artistic Director of NOYO for a brief interview about the work they do with their students. The Northern Ohio Youth Orchestra (which is based in Oberlin, OH) has evolved significantly since its founding in 1969. NOYO continues to grow as a leading force in youth music education, offering varied opportunities for students of all skill levels and musical interests. With a mission that âprovides exceptional musical education through a variety of performance opportunities for young musicians of all backgrounds in an inclusive community of learning and growth.â (noyo.org)
Originally there were two groups in NOYO, Sinfonietta Strings (conducted by Peggie Willett) and the Philharmonia Orchestra (conducted by Daniel Heim). In the last 10 years, NOYO has worked on adding ensembles and growing their student body size. NOYO brought in a beginner string orchestra, Amati Strings (conducted by Lelauni McKee). 2 concert bands were also recently added. Symphonic Band (conducted by Brett Benzin) and Wind Symphony (conducted by Rachel Boettle). Most recent is the jazz combo band, Vanguard Jazz Combo (conducted by Nathan Haloway). That may feel like a lot to consider if youâre thinking about joining NOYO. However, âbecause NOYO is an access-based youth orchestra, we truly believe thereâs a seat for every student,â Nathan says. âWhether a student is just starting out or looking for advanced performance opportunities, we have something to offer.â
Joining NOYO is a flexible and accessible audition process. Auditions are free and can be completed in person, via video submission, or during summer camps. Nathan mentions their âNew Member Novemberâ initiative, âin which students can join us for a rehearsal after the Fall Cycle has been completed and we start Winter Cycle rehearsals to see if it is a good fit for them.â He also emphasizes this process helps the audition process stay âstress-free.â You are able to find their simple audition requirements for each ensemble at: www.noyo.org/auditions.
If youâre interested in coming to see a NOYO performance, there are plenty of chances to catch one throughout the year! Nathan tells us, âNOYO's season contains 3 cycles (Fall, Winter & Spring) and respectively performs 3 concerts per season for the public (usually in Warner Concert Hall or Finney Chapel). In addition to these season concerts, our jazz combo performs 2 concerts per year (one at the BopStop in Cleveland on the Sunday of Memorial Day weekend every year). NOYO also performs a Summer Winds concert (2 concert bands from summer camps) and a Summer Symphony concert (3 string orchestras from summer camps) in the summer (free of charge to the public) in Tappan Square along with our performance of the National Anthem every summer at a Lake Erie Crushers game at Crushers Stadium before our regular season begins.â Attending any of these concerts is another great way to support these young musicians as well as helping grow music education in our local communities.
Balancing extracurricular music with school orchestras and bands can be tricky. Nathan wants âteachers to know that NOYO is a partner to them and the hard work that they do each and every week in the classroom. We believe NOYO is a âsupplementâ to the music education students receive in school, not a âsubstitute!â We believe in working hand-in-hand with music educators, not against them.â Itâs important to them that students are involved in both the school music program and NOYO. Additionally, itâs important to support your student with private lessons. NOYO is able to provide âone-on-one private lessons for as little as $8 per hour!â This helps support student growth, both individually and as a group.
Nathan shared with us that their support for students doesnât stop there. âNOYO gives high schoolers many opportunities to add to their playing portfolio in that high schoolers are always welcome to become summer camp counselors for our Summer Winds and Summer Symphony camps for middle school age wind and string players. We find that this helps high schoolers become important mentors to the younger students. We also give high schoolers the opportunity to compete in our annual Concerto Competition in which the winners will be selected to perform a movement from their concerto with the accompaniment of their respective ensemble. Additionally, NOYO is always happy to provide letters of recommendation to any college or conservatory for NOYO members. Lastly, NOYO also hires college students (many who are NOYO alumni) to become assistant conductors or sectional coaches for our ensembles throughout our regular season in addition to hiring them to be concert ringers to play any parts that are missing from an ensemble for performances. We also help many Oberlin College students who are interested in Arts Administration and allow them to shadow the work we do in addition to sit down and ask questions about our everyday tasks and how the organization is run.â This truly reflects the support from not only people in the region but also within their own community. When it comes to NOYO staff and conductors, the most rewarding aspect of their work is witnessing the transformation of students over time. âWe see students grow not just as musicians, but as mentors and individuals,â they note. âThat growth is what makes everything we do worthwhile.â NOYOâs direction moving forward remains clear: continued growth, expanding access, and an unwavering commitment to enriching the lives of music students across Northern Ohio.
Beyond the walls of Oberlin College, community partnerships are also key to NOYOâs success. Local music stores like ours are able to help promote private lessons, auditions, camps, and events. This strengthens the network that supports not only young musicians throughout the region but as we see with NOYOâs mentorship opportunities, it supports adult musicians too. Community is what brings music together.
The Northern Ohio Youth Orchestra provides exceptional musical education through a variety of performance opportunities for young musicians of all backgrounds in an inclusive community of learning and growth.
