Chamber Music Center of NY youth orchestra group standing with their instruments after a performance.

Youth & Teen Chamber Orchestras

Young girl playing cello in CMC chamber orchestra.

The Orchestras of CMC (Con Brio and Camerata) allow our students the opportunity to expand their chamber music experience and delve into the larger ensemble works of the orchestral repertoire. We perform multiple times throughout the year in venues across New York City and beyond.

Dr. Sibylle Johner, Director of Orchestras

“CMC orchestra is a gem! It has a wonderful, caring conductor and the music is dynamic and challenging. My child has thrived being part of CMC!”
— CMC Parent

Our Chamber Orchestra Students Experience:

  • Young girl playing violin in CMC chamber orchestra performance.

    Power

    Led by Conductor Dr. Sybille Johner, our unique chamber music approach is the guiding force with orchestras as well, where every voice is heard and every instrument matters. This affords our students the opportunity to tackle larger works with their inherent power and drama and with the same level of commitment and diligence that they bring to their chamber groups. Strings, woodwinds and brass are all working towards a common goal and the overall effect is exhilarating. Whenever possible, students perform without a conductor, thereby taking ownership of the orchestral rehearsal and performance experience.

  • Chamber Music Center of NY youth orchestra performing.

    Community

    Expanded ensembles mean a larger community of peers for students to connect with. Our orchestras feature the unique, side-by-side collaboration between Con Brio (younger students) and Camerata (older students) for one piece each concert cycle. The younger students learn how to be a good orchestra member and the older students learn how to inspire and mentor the younger ones. These are strong bonds that instill a lifelong understanding of leadership, empathy, and collaboration.

  • Young flute and oboe players performing in orchestra.

    Collaboration

    Exciting collaborations abound in orchestra! A day with The Knights Collective, New York Philharmonic Youth Orchestra, or a collaboration with European youth orchestras such as il mosaico or Apulian Youth Orchestra allow our students to expand the repertoire to include symphonic orchestral works. Past collaborative performances have included Dvořák Symphony No. 9, "From the New World", Bernstein’s West Side Story, Marquez Danzon, Borodin Polovtsian Dances, and more.

Orchestra Information
CMC chamber orchestra performing from behind.

orchestra

There are two levels of CMC orchestras, Con Brio for the younger students and Camerata for the older students. Con Brio meets on Saturdays from 2:00 - 3:00 with extensions when collaborating with Camerata. Camerata meets on Saturdays from 3:00 - 6:00. 

CMC maintains a rotational philosophy in orchestra. Students rotate seating throughout the orchestra which allows every student to be in a leadership role as well as in a supportive role. Also first and second violins rotate within different pieces.

Collaborations:

  • The Knights Collective 

  • Mostly Mozart Festival Orchestra 

  • Orpheus Chamber Orchestra 

  • New York Philharmonic Youth Orchestra

  • Il mosaico

  • Apulian Youth Orchestra

Section Styles bullet-boxes

Three young violin players performing in CMC youth orchestra.

Past Repertoire Includes:

  • Barber Adagio for Strings

  • Beethoven Egmont Overture

  • Beethoven Symphonies No. 3, No. 4, No. 7

  • Copland Billy the Kid

  • Copland Appalachian Spring

  • Dvorak Symphony No. 9 "From the New World"

  • Grieg Holberg Suite

  • Holst St. Paul Suite

  • Holst Mars, the Bringer of War

  • Marques Danzon #2

  • Mendelssohn Hebrides Overture

  • Mendelssohn Symphony No. 3 "Scottish Symphony"

  • Mendelssohn Symphony No. 5 "Reformation"

  • Mozart Symphony No. 40

  • Prokofiev Classical Symphony

  • Schubert Symphony No. 8 “Unfinished”

Section Styles bullet-boxes

Two young students playing violins during a CMC youth orchestra performance.

Orchestra Requirements

Learn more about the requirements and how to apply for our Chamber Orchestras.