Michigan Youth Symphony Orchestra
Updated May 18, 2026
Make-Up Application Deadline: July 6, 2026
The Michigan Youth Symphony Orchestra (MYSO) is composed of over 100 talented young musicians performing challenging works from the standard orchestral repertoire. The Michigan Youth Symphony Orchestra is open to advanced high-school-age string, woodwind, brass, and percussion musicians.
MYSO Announcements
(5/18/26) Make-Up Auditions Available
Information on Make-Up Auditions is now available! See the Auditions & Eligibility section below for more information.
Rehearsal Information
Time: Sundays, 12:30-3:15 pm
Location: Hankinson Rehearsal Hall
E. V. Moore Music Building
(U-M North Campus, 1100 Baits Dr, Ann Arbor, MI 48109)
All rehearsals / events will take place at this regular time and location unless otherwise noted.
MYSO Season Schedule
Select the link below for next season’s schedule. NOTE: A final 2026-2027 season schedule will be sent to students upon acceptance into the MYE program following auditions.
Instructors
Conductor/ Faculty Director – Jayce Ogren
Assistant Professor of Conducting / Associate Director of Orchestras
Jayce Ogren
Assistant Professor of Conducting / Associate Director of Orchestras
Jayce Ogren began his career as Assistant Conductor of The Cleveland Orchestra and Music Director of the Cleveland Youth Orchestra. In the years since, he has conducted many of the world’s most prominent orchestras, including the Boston Symphony, Ensemble Intercontemporain, Hong Kong Philharmonic, Los Angeles Philharmonic, New York Philharmonic, the Dallas and San Francisco Symphonies, and the Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra.
Among the wide-ranging progressive projects Ogren has conducted are Basil Twist’s The Rite of Spring with the Orchestra of St. Luke’s at Lincoln Center; the world premiere of David Lang’s symphony for a broken orchestra, bringing together 400 amateur and professional musicians in Philadelphia; 30th anniversary performances of Frank Zappa’s The Yellow Shark with Orchestra 2001; and the world premiere of Jack Perla’s Shalimar the Clown at Opera Theatre of St. Louis.
Auditions & Eligibility
*Make-Up Application deadline: July 6, 2026
Make-Up Live Auditions: July 11, 2026
Michigan Youth Symphony Orchestra Auditions
Students must submit a Michigan Youth Ensembles application and pay a non-refundable $30 application fee before their audition date. Fee waivers are available for those who qualify based on financial need (please view financial aid information below).
Those interested in auditioning for the Michigan Youth Symphony Orchestra should select their instrument below for full details on their specific instruments audition requirements. Be sure to read all information for your instrument carefully. If you have any questions about audition requirements, please contact SMTD’s Office of Engagement & Outreach at [email protected].
*The following instruments are eligible for make-up auditions:
Early Decision for Make-Up Auditions
Students have the option of auditioning in-person, or submitting an application with a video recording of all required materials in lieu of an in-person audition. Those who submit a video audition with all required audition materials will receive a decision on their admission within one week of submitting their application.
Ensemble Placements
Based on the applicant’s primary instrument, students will adhere to one of two schedules throughout the season:
- STRING PLAYERS: those whose primary instrument is a string instrument will rehearse each Sunday from 12:30 to 3:15 pm. A full schedule can be found above.
- *WIND & PERCUSSION PLAYERS: those whose primary instrument is a woodwind, brass or percussion instrument will join MYSO starting at 1:45 pm and will rehearse until 3:15 pm. They will then move over to MYSB. A full schedule can be found above.
Woodwind, brass and percussion players auditioning for MYSB and MYSO will be placed in one of two groups: Maize or Blue. Wind & percussion players in Maize will rehearse / perform with our Michigan Youth Symphonic Band only. Wind & percussion players in Blue will rehearse / perform with both our Michigan Youth Symphonic Band and Michigan Youth Symphony Orchestra. Schedules for both groups can be found on the MYSB and MYSO webpages. Final group placements are made by MYE Faculty.
Eligibility
Students interested in the Michigan Youth Symphony Orchestra must be enrolled in grades 9 (nine) through 12 (twelve) for the 2026-2027 academic year. The Michigan Youth Symphony Orchestra is also open to woodwind / brass / percussion students of exceptional ability enrolled in grade 8 (eight) for the 2026-2027 academic year.
Michigan Youth Symphony Orchestra accepts students who perform the following instruments: Bass Clarinet, Bass Trombone, Bassoon, Cello, Clarinet, Double Bass, Flute, Harp, Horn, Oboe, Percussion, Piano, Trombone, Trumpet, Tuba, Viola and Violin.
For questions about applications, audition requirements, or the audition process, feel free to contact SMTD Engagement & Outreach Staff via email at [email protected].
Tuition | Fees | Scholarships
Updated for the 2026-27 MYE Season
- Participant – $545
- Non-refundable application fee – $30
A discounted tuition rate of $375.00 per additional ensemble is available for musicians who participate in multiple ensembles. This discount is applied to the ensemble of equal or lesser value.
Refund Policy
Full refunds of MYE tuition are only available before the first regularly scheduled rehearsal of the current concert season. Find full details: SMTD Engagement and Outreach Refund Policy
Application Fee Waiver
Review the qualifications and the documentation you will need to provide here: How can I apply for a fee waiver for my application? Qualified students/families will reach out to the Acceptd Support team to request a waiver code to waive the $30 application fee. Fill out this fee waiver form to request a code.
Need-based Scholarship
A limited number of need-informed scholarships are available to families with an Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) of $125,000 or under in the previous calendar year, or with special circumstances. To be considered you must upload your financial aid materials by the application deadline as part of your application. This includes:
- Monthly Expenses
- Previous Year’s Tax Return
- Statement of Need
The William E. Root Engagement & Outreach Fund supports SMTD’s Engagement & Outreach Programs, with a preference for scholarships for participants in the Michigan Youth Ensembles. This fund allows us to fully support multiple students each MYE season.
Contact Us
Office of Engagement & Outreach-Youth & Adult Programs
University of Michigan School of Music, Theatre & Dance
Stearns Building │ 2005 Baits Drive │ Ann Arbor, MI 48109
Phone: 734-936-2660
Email: [email protected]
Emails and phone lines are monitored at the following times
Monday – Friday, 9:30 am – 4:00 pm EST