Guide To Youth Music Ensembles in Houston, TX
One of the best things you can do for the young musician in your family is to place them in environments with other musicians. Perfecting instrumental or singing technique can be a lonely pursuit, but the arts are really about making music with, and for, others.
This guide includes information about youth orchestra, choirs, and more for pre-college musicians in the Greater Houston area. We’ve included ensembles in surrounding suburbs as well.
If you’d like more information about our piano lessons in Houston, voice lessons in Houston, or other music lessons in Houston, please get in touch!
Houston Youth Orchestra Opportunities
Yes, it’s challenging to learn a second instrument, but in most cases, you’ll have an easier time with the second instrument than your first. You will already have a solid grasp of musical notation, time signatures, theory, and more, and you can relate your second instrument to the first.
Consider the Similarities Between Second Instruments and Languages
Houston Youth Symphony
The Houston Youth Symphony has five different orchestras and chamber ensembles under its umbrella, and students are placed in ensembles based on skill level and audition results. Generally speaking, rehearsals take place at the University of Houston and Strake Jesuit College Preparatory School. You will need to pay an audition fee and submit a performance video to apply. All orchestral instrumentalists, including brass and woodwind players, are invited to apply.
houstonyouthsymphony.org/auditions/
Houston Youth String Orchestra
HYSO is open to violin, cello, bass, and viola players, and members are divided into an intermediate ensemble and an advanced ensemble. Rehearsals happen on Sunday evenings, and your child will benefit from social events and sectional rehearsals with professional orchestra members.
More info: Hyso.info/
Virtuosi of Houston – Young Artists Chamber Orchestra
This audition-only youth ensemble includes around 50 advanced middle school and high school musicians who meet for rehearsals and three annual performances. Virtuosi of Houston also sponsors a competitive concerto competition and a summer chamber music festival. Many of the musicians in this ensemble plan to attend conservatory or a university for music upon graduating from high school.
More info: Virtuosiofhouston.org/audition/
Opus99 Youth Orchestra
Opus99 welcomes students between 6-12 grades to audition for two age-appropriate ensembles. Rehearsals are held for two hours on Tuesday nights at Klein Collins High School as the groups prepare for a culminating performance. The musicians also benefit from sectional rehearsals with members of the Axiom Quartet, a professional chamber string group.
More info: Opus99.orgaudition/
Houston Youth Choir and Theater Opportunities
Houston Children’s Chorus
The Houston Children’s Chorus has two opportunities: the preparatory choir for 2-3 graders, and a Concert Choir for young singers grades 4-8. Tuition for the Concert Choir is $800 for the year, and there are year-round rehearsal and ticketed performance opportunities. Your child will benefit from working with professional choristers and meeting friends who also love music.
More info: Houstonchildren.org
Houston Youth Korus
The Houston Youth Korus serves children in Houston’s Korean-American community. School-aged children are welcome to join the chorus, attend regular rehearsal, and perform in seasonal concerts for friends, family, and the community.
More info: houstonyouthkorus.com/
Katy Youth Choir
KYC is an intensive organization in the Houston area with opportunities for young kids, middle schoolers, and high schoolers. You may enroll on a semester-by-semester basis in one of the choirs, and if your child is in one of the older two ensembles, they will be required to attend a singing “boot camp” at the beginning of the season.
Start Taking Music Lessons in Houston
If you would like to start your child on Houston guitar lessons, violin lessons, or anything else, please get in touch! We would love to hear from you and work towards your family’s musical goals. We can schedule a trial lesson at your earliest convenience.
