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MEET OUR FUTURE ORCHESTRA & AUDIENCE

APYO 2025/2026 SeasoN

Audition Dates: August 16th & 23rd, 10 AM - 4 PM at Thaden school 

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Audition Materials

Been taking lessons for over a year? Ready to play with others and make some bigger music? Grab your instrument and join the APYO! Make new friends in NWA's exciting arts scene. 

 

Fall Auditions are held in August and parent/student orientation is in September. 

Spring Auditions are held in December and parent/student orientation is in December.

 

Rehearsals are Monday evenings from September until March, excluding US holidays.

Free Arkansas All Region Orchestra Video tutorials

Watch Now
Q: Why did the music coming out of Brahms's grave sound so awful? 
A: He was decomposing.

The Arkansas Philharmonic Orchestra (APO) team believes in making classical music fun and educational for local young people. We do that by teaching those who are keen to learn and by making it accessible for others who may be even just a little curious. 

When it comes to Arkansas arts education, we take the teaching and playing of music for youth seriously. But let's remember, it's called ‘playing' music for a reason. Below, you'll see all the playful ways the APO cultivates young talent from around Northwest Arkansas. 

ARLENE M. WARNEr MUSIC SCHOLARSHIP FUND

 

The Arlene M. Warner Scholarship fund was born from a little girl's dream. Without the resources to fulfill her desire to take piano lessons when she was a child, Arlene encouraged and endorsed each of her five children in their musical interests. That vision spread to her community as she suported young musicians in the APYO over the past decades. In 2022, her stewardship became formal with the creation of the Arlene M. Warner Scholarship Fund providing access to music education for young students no matter their situation. 

 

Mrs. Warner's fund provides resources to young musicians for lessons, instrument acquisition, music camps and special training opportunities. Her fund brings unique opportunities within reach for young musicians who may not be able to participate on their own.

 

Please consider being a part of this extraordinary vision for the youth of Northwest Arkansas. You, too can make dreams come true. 

 

 
SUPPORT THE FUND

 

THE ARKANSAS PHILHARMONIC YOUTH ORCHESTRA (APYO)

 

The APYO is a full Arkansas youth orchestra with music instruction and performances for its players. APYO students develop strong musical foundations and discipline. ‘Play' is a big idea. Our players learn to express themselves through music. They grow into confident individuals, developing deep friendships in the process.

 

WHO'S TEACHING? 

 

APYO conductors and coaches come from the Arkansas Philharmonic Orchestra and the University of Arkansas Department of Music. Expert trainers, these instructors know how to excite and motivate young musicians to make huge progress and celebrate their successes. 

Er-Gene Kahng
Music Education Lead
Matt Swerts
APYO Conductor
Ben Weir
APYO Instructor & Conductor's Assistant
Rocio Behler
APYO Conductor

OTHER APO ARTS EDUCATION PROGRAMS

 

SCHOOL RESIDENCIES

 

Part of the APO's mandate is to entice young talent to classical music, then empower them through patient training. Students enjoy formal instruction with professional musicians. It's a life changing experience — for both parties! 

 

LINK UP, SUPPORTED BY CARNEGIE HALL'S WEILL MUSIC INSTITUTE

 

Local 2nd through 5th graders can attend an APO performance, learn about the music and even sign, dance or play music with us before a live audience! To prepare these small performers for the big day, participating music teachers do Arkansas virtual learning, following a national curriculum, provided by Carnegie Hall. 
 

OTHER IN-SCHOOL PROGRAMS 

 
The APO is piloting a Before School Music Program for younger children at Parsons Hill Elementary. We hope to expand the pilot soon. We also offer After School Music Programs for Haas Hall campuses and can help create music programs for your charter or private school. 

 

Curious educators can contact us. In the meantime, these free videos make terrific lessons for young musicians and busy teachers. 

 

Meet The Orchestra Videos for Teaching
Link Up Lesson Presentations

OUR SPONSORS

 

The APO couldn't continue its vital music programs without the participation and generosity of these local schools and organizations: Haas Hall Academy, Fayetteville Public Schools, Rogers Public School, Springdale Public Schools, and Bentonville Public Schools.