SUMMER ORCHESTRAL INSTITUTE
The LSYO Summer Orchestral Institute (SOI) brings together world-class performers and young orchestral musicians from across Northern Virginia for a week of music-making and orchestral study. As a member of one of our four SOI ensembles – Primo Strings, Concert Orchestra (formerly Intermediate), Chamber Strings*, and Woodwind Quintet* – each musician will work with professional conductors, coaches, and performers to hone their orchestral and ensemble skills.
Registration opens April 26, 2025.
LSYO’s 2025 Summer Orchestral Institute
July 20-25, 2025
Primo Strings
Concert Orchestra
Advanced Chamber Strings*
Woodwind Quintet*
* LSYO will not be hosting a separate advanced institute this summer. We are offering NEW advanced options during our day institute:
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Advanced Chamber Strings: by audition only, due no later than June 15
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Woodwind Quintet: by audition/invitation only, due no later than May 15
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Open for the following instruments (one of each): flute, oboe, clarinet, horn, bassoon
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More information about each ensemble is coming soon!
Refund Policy
Refunds will be given as follows:
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Before July 18: 50% tuition refund
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No refunds will be issued on or after July 18
Tuition
Register by July 1 for FREE t-shirt
Primo Strings: $550
Intermediate Orchestra: $550
Advanced Honors Orchestra: $525
Audition Requirements
Audition Fee: $20.00
All musicians not currently in LSYO must audition. Click here to register to audition. Upon payment of the audition fee, you will receive a link to upload your audition, a video of a current solo piece or excerpt. While most students are accepted into the program, this will help with placement. Please submit your video audition within one week of paying the audition fee - and no later than midnight on July 1st (for Advanced Honors) or July 10th (for Primo Strings and Intermediate Orchestra).
For musicians currently in LSYO:
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LSYO Philharmonic musicians do not need to audition.
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LSYO Symphonic musicians...
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...planning to attend the Intermediate Orchestral Program do not need to audition.
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...wishing to be considered for Advanced Orchestra must audition.
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LSYO String Orchestra musicians...
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...do not need to audition for Primo Strings.
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...wishing to be considered for Intermediate Orchestra must audition.
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LSYO Prelude String and String Orchestra musicians do not need to audition for Primo Strings.
If you are currently an LSYO member and do not require an audition, click here to register.
Musicians who need to audition should submit a video recording of one solo that best demonstrates their technical and expressive performance ability. Please see descriptions of each level above.
Open auditions for the Summer Orchestral Institute are now closed. If you missed the deadline, please email Dr. Laurie Hudicek (laurie.hudicek@loudounsymphony.org).
Deadlines
Tuition is due two weeks after acceptance notification.
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July 1: Advanced Honors Orchestra auditions are due. Preference will be give to auditions submitted by June 20.
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July 10: Intermediate and Primo String auditions are due.
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July 18: Registration and tuition due.
LSYO's SUMMER ORCHESTRAL INSTITUTE 2025
Sunday, July 20 - Friday, July 25, 2025
Location TBD
Schedule
Schedule:
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July 20
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5:15 p.m. Check-In
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5:30 p.m. Welcome to All Participants and Overview of the Institute
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6:00-7:15 p.m. First Rehearsal - Primo Strings, Concert Orchestra
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July 21-25
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9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. (drop off between 8:45am-8:55)
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July 25
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2:00 p.m. Closing Concert* This is earlier than in past years
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*This is a ticketed event. All SOI participants will receive 2 complimentary tickets for family and friends. Children 12 and under are free.
The LSYO Orchestral Institute brings together world-class performers and young orchestral musicians from across Northern Virginia for a week of music-making and orchestral study. As a member of one of our three SOI ensembles – Primo Strings, Intermediate Orchestral Program, and Advanced Honors Orchestra Program – each musician will work with professional conductors, coaches, and performers to hone their orchestral and ensemble skills.
Questions about our Summer Orchestral Institute can be directed to Dr. Laurie Hudicek, Director, Educational Programming and Community Engagement, laurie.hudicek@loudounsymphony.org.
We are thrilled to be joined by these world-class clinicians!
(Photos and bios to be added.)
Primo Strings Program
Ms. Sarah Geiger
Conductor
Beginning string musicians of all ages with a minimum of one year of private or ensemble experience are invited to join us for a week of ensemble music exploration and performance.
The week revolves around orchestra rehearsal and preparation for a final concert. In addition to the formal rehearsals and sectionals, musicians will enjoy fun ensemble-oriented enrichment classes, learn audition skills and instrument care, and socialize with other musicians.
Current LSYO String Orchestra and Prelude String members do not need to audition. All other musicians are required to submit a virtual audition prior to registration.
Sectional Coaches
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Samantha Oakley, violin
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Lauren Haren, viola
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Jennene Estes, cello/bass
Enrichment Instructors
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TBA
Schedule
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July 21
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5:15 PM: Check-in
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5:30 PM: Welcome to all participants and overview of the Institute
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6:00 - 7:15 PM: First rehearsal
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July 22-25
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9:00 AM - 3:00 PM: Rehearsal and enrichment activities
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July 26
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9:00 AM - 12:00 PM: Rehearsal and enrichment activities
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TBD: Concert call time
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7:00 PM: Closing Concert
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Intermediate Orchestral Program
Mr. Robby Carroll
Conductor
Young orchestral musicians of all ages with at least two years of ensemble experience are invited to join us for a week of orchestral music exploration and performance.
The week revolves around orchestra rehearsal and preparation for a final concert. In addition to the formal rehearsals and sectionals, musicians will enjoy fun ensemble-oriented enrichment classes and time to socialize with other musicians.
Current LSYO Symphonic and Philharmonic Orchestra members do not need to audition. All other musicians are required to submit a virtual audition prior to registration.
The following sections are now closed.
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Cello
Sectional Coaches
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Stephen Matthie, violin
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Lauren Haren, viola
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Jennene Estes, cello/bass
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Bryan Fay, winds/brass
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Aaron Bertoglio, percussion
Enrichment Instructors
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Aaron Bertoglio
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Huyen MacMichael, art
Schedule
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July 21
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5:15 PM: Check-in
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5:30 PM: Welcome to all participants and overview of the Institute
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6:00 - 7:15 PM: First rehearsal
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July 22-25
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9:00 AM - 3:00 PM: Rehearsal and enrichment activities
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July 26
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9:00 AM - 12:00 PM: Rehearsal and enrichment activities
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TBD: Concert call time
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7:00 PM: Closing Concert
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Advanced Honors Orchestra Program
Side-by-Side with Loudoun Symphony Orchestra Musicians
Dr. Hayden Denesha
Conductor
In a unique student-professional collaborative opportunity, advanced orchestral musicians with at least four years of ensemble experience are invited to audition to join us for a week-long orchestra intensive, which culminates in a side-by-side concert with professional musicians from the Loudoun Symphony Orchestra and the DC metro area.
Musicians will study original orchestral works and will work closely with professional coaches during and outside of rehearsal in preparation for a side-by-side performance of Gershwin’s Rhapsody in Blue featuring pianist Justin Budgerow.
Current LSYO Philharmonic members do not need to audition. All other musicians are required to audition and will be notified of acceptance on a rolling basis.
Advanced Honors Orchestra is now CLOSED. If you would like to be placed on a waitlist, please email laurie.hudicek@loudounsymphony.org.
Featured Soloist
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Dr. Justin Badgerow, piano
Featured Coaches and Performers
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Dr. Jie Kim, LSO Concertmaster
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Stephen Matthie, LSO Assistant Concertmaster
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Lauren Haren, LSO Assistant Principal Viola
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Michelle Choi, LSO Principal Cello
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Daniel Murray, Guest Bassist
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Michelle Rippey, LSO Flute and Piccolo
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Megan Cassada, Guest Bassoonist
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Dr. Daniel Twentey, LSO Principal Trombone
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John Guido Vitullo, LSO Percussion
Schedule
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July 21
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5:15 PM: Check-in
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5:30 PM: Welcome to all participants and overview of the Institute
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6:00 - 7:15 PM: First rehearsal
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July 22-25
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6:00 - 9:00 PM: Rehearsal and enrichment activities
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July 26
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TBD: Concert call time
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7:00 PM: Closing Concert
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Dr. Justin Badgerow
Piano
Sponsor our Summer Orchestral Institute
Does music matter to you? We invite you to support our young musicians who will be participating in the Summer Orchestral Institute. Click here to download a sponsorship form. Payments and artwork must be received by July 1, 2024 to be included in the program.
Listen to performances from
the 2023 Summer Orchestral Concert
Beginning String Orchestral Program
Advanced Orchestral Program
Intermediate Orchestral Program