Kalamazoo Junior Symphony Orchestras

05/27/2026

Today is the last day to register for KJSO & Prep Strings auditions!

Auditions will take place on Saturday, June 6 and Sunday, June 7 at Kalamazoo College.

Unavailable on June 6-7? We would still love to hear you! Please fill out the appropriate registration form and we will be in touch to schedule an individual, in-person audition.

KJSO Audition Registration: https://kjso.org/auditions/kjso/
Prep Strings Audition Registration: https://kjso.org/auditions/prep-strings-audition-form/ See less

Audition Registration is now open for the KJSO and the Prep Strings! Auditions will take place on June 6-7 at Kalamazoo College. View audition requirements and register for auditions at KJSO.org

05/20/2026

REGISTRATION DEADLINE EXTENDED! Register to audition for the Kalamazoo Junior Symphony or Preparatory Strings by Wednesday, May 27. Students will be contacted with an audition time no later than Friday, May 29. Auditions will take place on Saturday, June 6 and Sunday, June 7 at Kalamazoo College.

Unavailable on June 6-7? We would still love to hear you! Please fill out the appropriate registration form and we will be in touch to schedule an individual, in-person audition.

KJSO Audition Registration: https://kjso.org/auditions/kjso/
Prep Strings Audition Registration: https://kjso.org/auditions/prep-strings-audition-form/

Audition Registration is now open for the KJSO and the Prep Strings! Auditions will take place on June 6-7 at Kalamazoo College. View audition requirements and register for auditions at KJSO.org

05/15/2026

We are so excited for this weekend’s Stulberg International String Competition! There have been so many amazing and inspiring performances in today’s semi-finals already.

Did you know:

🎻 Julius Stulberg conducted the KJSO for 33 years.

🎵 KJSO Alumna Anne Francis Bayless is one of this year’s Competition Judges! In addition to judging the semi-finals on Friday and the finals on Saturday evening, Anne will provide masterclasses on Saturday and Sunday morning.

🎶 Each of the Community Masterclasses on Saturday, May 16 will feature multiple KJSO members: violin, viola, and cello! Be sure to join us at Dalton Center from 9 AM-noon.

🏅 The Bronze Medalist will perform with the KJSO on Sunday, February 14, 2027. Attend the finals on Saturday at 7:30 pm in order to be one of the first to learn the results!

🗓️ View the full schedule of events here: https://stulberg.org/events/. Hope to see you there!

05/11/2026

Training for Orchestra is an opportunity for students to hone their ensemble skills over the summer! The perfect way to prepare for participation in the KJSO Training Orchestra or Concert Orchestra, this course is hosted by the Crescendo Academy of Music and taught by the Director of the Preparatory Strings and KJSO Alumna, Audrey Lipsey.

Class meets June 16-July 28 on Tuesdays 4:30–6:00 pm. The total cost is $150 and financial aid is available.

Summer program spotlight: Training for Orchestra

This class is for students with one to two years of experience playing a stringed instrument. In this introductory ensemble, students will learn basic orchestral techniques to help prepare them for school orchestra in the fall and advanced ensembles.

Audrey Lipsey, Crescendo Academy of Music s Executive Director and Conductor of Prep Strings and Training Orchestra for the Kalamazoo Junior Symphony Orchestras, will lead this special 7-week program.

Class meets June 16 - July 28 on Tuesdays 4:30 – 6:00 pm. Cost is $150; financial aid is available. Link to register in comments.

05/07/2026

Audition Registration is now open for the KJSO and the Prep Strings! Auditions will take place on June 6-7 at Kalamazoo College. View audition requirements and register for auditions at KJSO.org

05/06/2026

Congratulations to the members of the Preparatory Ensembles for an amazing performance on Sunday! The Symphonic Strings and Symphonic Winds, supported by members of the Junior Symphony wind section, joined together for an exhilarating performance of Grieg’s In the Hall of the Mountain King for the grand finale. View the performance, conducted by Preparatory Winds Director Jesse Williams, below. Bravi!

04/28/2026

Congratulations to the members of the Junior Symphony for an outstanding concert on Sunday! We are so proud of you.

There is one more opportunity to see members of the KJSO in concert: our Bon Voyage concert will take place on Friday, June 26 at 7:30 PM in the Dalton Theatre at Kalamazoo College. Stay tuned to this page for more details and cheer on the KJSO before they depart for the Balkans!

04/24/2026

Congratulations to our Executive Director, Dr. Megan Healy, who was recently awarded the Presidential Award for Outstanding Service by the American String Teachers Association!

04/23/2026

Check out Maestro Andrew Koehler's interview with Cara Lieurance to learn more about this Sunday's concert: Kalamazoo Junior Symphony Orchestra: "Souvenir" and our upcoming tour to the Balkans!

A conversation with Andrew Koehler

01/14/2026

Here’s a clip from last night’s Prep Strings rehearsal where the students got to work with RELIC