HPYO’s 2022-2023 Season
This year, the HPYO season will run in three terms. Players are encouraged to commit to the entire season, but do have the option to register for one term at a time. Late registration is available each term until the third rehearsal. Latecomers will be placed at the back of the section until seating renews the following term.
2022-2023 Season Schedule
Rehearsals run on Saturday mornings. The Concert Orchestra rehearses from 8:30 – 9:45 and the Philharmonic Orchestra rehearses from 10:00 – 12:30. There are no rehearsals on long weekends.
Term 1 runs from September 24 – November 26
Term 2 runs from January 7 – March 4
Term 3 runs from March 26 – May 27
There is a holiday side-by-side concert where the HPYO plays with the HPO at FirstOntario Concert Hall. Rehearsals for that concert run during the month of December. Any musicians registered in Term 1 or 2 may participate.
Tuition
Tuition for the Philharmonic Orchestra is $275 per term or $750 for the full season. Tuition for the Concert Orchestra is $175 per term or $450 for the entire season. Unfortunately, tuition cannot be pro-rated for latecomers.
If you are enrolling multiple musicians from the same household, we offer a $25 sibling discount. (The sibling discount applies to an entire season, and cannot be applied per term.)
In addition, players who participated in Tune Up! will receive a $25 reduction in their tuition for the 22-23 season.
Financial Aid
The HPO and HPYO strongly believe in creating as few barriers to accessing our programming as possible. As such we offer several ways to alleviate the potential financial impact of tuition.
- Tuition Instalments: Families are more than welcome to pay their tuition in instalments. Contact Megan Benjafield to arrange for a payment instalment plan that works best for you.
- Student Work Program: A limited number of youth musicians will be able to get subsidized tuition by applying for one of our student librarian jobs. Depending on the number of applicants, these may be interviewed positions. Applications will be available after auditions results are released.
- Bursary Fund: We have funds available for players who demonstrate financial need and a commitment to the ensemble. Bursary applications will be available after audition results are released.
Have questions about the season? Scroll down to find FAQs.
2022-2023 Auditions
Term 3 auditions are now open. Term 3 auditions will be by video submission only, please review the video submission guidelines below.
The video submission deadline is March 20. Successful candidates will be placed at the back of the section for which they have won the audition. If incoming candidates wish to be considered for principal seats, they should submit by March 3.
Please e-mail Megan Benjafield at mbenjafield@hpo.org with any questions or to submit your video.
Audition requirements can be found below.
Audition Requirements
1. Ensure you have registered to audition.
2. Solo and scale requirements for the Concert Orchestra and Philharmonic Orchestra.
3. Philharmonic Orchestra Orchestral Excerpts
For players auditioning for the Philharmonic Orchestra, you will also be required to prepare two orchestral excerpts.
Click on your instrument name below to open the excerpt package.
In-Person Auditions
Auditions will be held in Togo Salmon Hall at McMaster University on Saturday, September 10, 2022. An audition schedule will be available in early September. Those registered to audition are encouraged to leave that day open to avoid conflicts with the audition schedule. If you are unable to attend auditions on September 10, please submit a video audition.
Video Audition Submissions
Video submissions are due by September 8, 2022, so that they can be collated for our auditions panels.
Find instructions for submitting by video here:
FAQ
Who can audition?
Any musician 24 years of age or younger may audition. Former HPYO members must re-audition each season, so that we can determine their placement in the orchestra.
What is the minimum skill level or RCM grade level required for the HPYO?
There is no minimum age or grade level required to audition or participate in the HPYO. Applicants are accepted into the orchestra based on their performance in their audition. Excerpt packets may include repertoire excerpts from the upcoming season’s planned repertoire as well as pieces that may not be performed in the upcoming season.
To prepare and get a sense for the required skill level, our coaches recommend that you:
- Look up videos, recordings and scores of the orchestral repertoire from the excerpts in your audition packet
- Watch and listen to these pieces to gain an understanding of the level of skill required to play these pieces
What is the difference between the Concert Orchestra and the Philharmonic Orchestra?
Designed for musicians in the earlier stages of their music education, the Concert Orchestra provides a supportive environment for musicians to learn about the orchestra and develop their musical skills. The Philharmonic Orchestra is designed for more experienced musicians performing at a high musical level, and who have had past orchestral or ensemble experience. Placement in either of the orchestras is at the discretion of the coaching faculty and will be determined once auditions are completed.
What is required for an HPYO audition?
Players auditioning for the 22-23 HPYO Season may choose to perform in person or by video submission. All players are asked to prepare a solo, and a selection of scales. Players may also be asked to sight read a selection. In addition, players auditioning for the Philharmonic Orchestra are asked to prepare two orchestral excerpts. Please see above for instrument specific details. Your audition will be reviewed by HPYO faculty.
How do I know which orchestra I should audition for?
Private music teachers are an excellent resource when preparing for an audition – we encourage musicians to ask their teachers before beginning audition preparation which orchestra they would be best suited to audition for. Musicians are welcome to prepare the materials for the Philharmonic Orchestra if they wish, but coaching faculty reserves the right to make placement decisions based on the audition results. Please feel free to reach out to the HPYO General Manager, Megan Benjafield if you have questions regarding audition preparation and the two orchestras.
If you have further questions, please email HPYO General Manager Megan Benjafield at mbenjafield@hpo.org
HPYO Season Support provided by:
