Oklahoma Youth Orchestras

09/04/2026

✨Attention OYO and Percussion Ensemble Seniors✨
Applications for OKYO’s 2026-27 Concerto Competition are open until September 15th!
Once your repertoire is approved, the deadline to submit your video audition is October 10.

Each season, Oklahoma Youth Orchestras hosts our annual Concerto Competition known as the Louisa Francelia Waldorf Prize for Excellence in Solo Performance. The winner receives a scholarship prize and performs as a soloist with OYO.
OKYO’s Concerto Competition is sponsored by longtime OKYO supporter Dr. Lin-Lin Liu and honors her former teacher, Miss Waldorf.

Last season’s winners were Patrick Markes with Koussevitzky’s Double Bass Concerto, Op. 3, mvt. 1 and Abby Tai playing Bruch’s Violin Concerto No. 1, mvt. 1

Apply now at www.okyomusic.org/concerto-competition

09/03/2026

Last Sunday, we hosted Sinfonia, Chamber Orchestra, Percussion Ensemble, and OYO’s annual pre-season retreat!

Students got to meet connect with their ensemble, play through their new music together, and enjoy some ice cream and social time!

We hope you had a wonderful time, and we will see you for this season’s first rehearsal on September 14!

Note: OYP and OYW’s retreats will take place in November. Festival Strings and Festival Winds do not have a retreat, but will participate in a workshop and showcase later in the season.

09/01/2026

The OKYO conductors and administration team got together to plan an amazing season with our amazing staff. We can’t wait to welcome you at our first Monday night rehearsal on September 14! ✨

Not pictured: Dr. Matthew Mailman, Conductor of Oklahoma Youth Winds; Francisco Venegas, Program Manager - Concerts and Logistics

Featuring: Toby Markes, Good Boy

08/28/2026

Sunday is retreat day! Each year, we host a retreat for students to meet their ensemble, mingle, receive their music, and play through it for the first time together. We can't wait to kick off our 49th season with you!

This retreat is for Sinfonia, Chamber Orchestra, Percussion Ensemble, and OYO.
OYW and OYP (full orchestra) will have their retreat November 15.
Festival Strings and Festival Winds do not have a retreat, but will take part in a workshop and showcase on November 16.

***OYO and OYO Percussion***
Don't forget about the NYC Tour Meeting after your retreat! If you're interested in participating in our Summer 2027 tour, we encourage you to attend this meeting. If you cannot attend in person, a virtual link has been provided in your weekly update and on our website's calendar.

See you Sunday!

08/21/2026

Join us in congratulating OYO alumnus Jaylin Vinson on winning the 2026 Hermitage Prize in Composition! To learn more about Jaylin, his music, and the Hermitage Prize, click the link below.

Congratulations, Jaylin! We are so happy your hard work and artistry have been recognized by this prestigious award.

The Hermitage Artist Retreat and the Aspen Music Festival and School (Aspen, Colorado) are pleased to announce Jaylin Vinson, a composit ...

08/18/2026

Congratulations to OYO students Eden Bales, Ely Gonzalez, and Evan Goodson on completing their multi-week residencies with NYO-USA and NYO2! 🌟

Bringing together some of the brightest young musicians in the country, both ensembles kicked off this year's program in NYC with unforgettable performances at Carnegie Hall. From there, NYO2 took the stage across the Dominican Republic, while NYO-USA embarked on a European tour through Berlin, Amsterdam, Aldeburgh, and Edinburgh.

We are so proud of these students for making the most of this incredible opportunity to create music with new friends, and share their talent on the world stage!

photo credit: NYO USA / NYO2

08/17/2026

All of us at OKYO would like to wish a very happy birthday to Kris Markes, Executive Director! We hope you have a wonderful day. Thanks for everything you do!

08/16/2026

All of us at OKYO would like to wish a very happy birthday to Francisco Venegas, Program Manager of Concerts & Logistics! We hope you have a wonderful day. Thanks for everything you do!

08/06/2026

We sent our first Weekly Update of the 2026-27 season last Thursday (7/30). Did you receive it? If not, add [email protected] to your safe senders list and be sure to check your spam. If you are still not receiving emails, contact [email protected].

OKYO's Weekly Updates go out every Thursday and will keep you updated on important information regarding both your ensemble and the organization as a whole!

08/03/2026

Registration is open for Festival Strings and Festival Winds!
Do you know a music student who could benefit from an additional musical experience, but isn’t quite ready for the audition process? Oklahoma Youth Orchestras operates two ensembles that do not require an audition! Both ensembles are designed to challenge and develop young students with new music and new skills. Students who participate in our ensembles should have at least one year of playing experience and the ability to read music.
Festival Strings is a strings-only ensemble for students through grade 8, and has three satellite locations in the metro: Edmond, Norman, and Oklahoma City.
Festival Winds serves woodwind, brass, and percussion students and rehearses at Oklahoma City University.
Students also receive a trial period to assess if the ensemble is a good fit for them with no financial commitment for the months of September and October!
Register today at

The Oklahoma Youth Orchestras organization operates additional three ensembles plus a dynamic summer strings camp that do not require an audition.