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The Philharmonic Orchestra is open to intermediate players of strings, brass, woodwind, percussion, and harp instruments. Students in the Philharmonic Orchestra should have proficiency reading music and should be of sufficient behavioral and emotional maturity to concentrate and participate in a weekly, 2 hour rehearsal.

Led by Dr. James Spinazzola, Philharmonic Orchestra is an intermediate orchestral experience intended for students who have had previous orchestral or ensemble experience and who wish to further develop their skills in this area. Placement in the orchestra is by audition.

Participation in the Philharmonic Orchestra is not intended to replace school or private music lessons.  Students are expected to continue to take weekly private lessons and participate in their school ensembles.

Philharmonic Orchestra rehearsals occur on Sundays from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m. from September through May, with time off for traditional school holidays. Typically the orchestra rehearses in Lilly Hall on the campus of Butler University. Philharmonic Orchestra participates in three to four concerts per year as part of the New World Youth Orchestras concert series.

Music selected is that of a typical high school or college orchestra level; past repertoire includes:

- Overture to The Creatures of Prometheus, L. Beethoven

- Rhosymedre, R. Vaughan Williams

- Symphony No. 3 (“Unfinished”), A. Borodin

Guest clinicians and master class coaches, who are members of the Indianapolis Symphony and Indianapolis Chamber Orchestra, professors at local music schools, work with the students throughout the year. 

There are also opportunities to compete in our Young Artist Competition and Philharmonic Concerto Competition.  Click here to read more about the competitions. 

This is a tuition-based organization. Click here to read more about our rates.  Limited scholarships are available in cases of financial need. To read more about financial aid opportunities, see the tuition page.

To download an application and to learn more about application procedures, click here. To find more information about the New World Youth Orchestras, and Philharmonic Orchestra, please see visit the rest of our website at www.nwyso.org or contact Executive Director Ruth Wolff at wolff@nwyso.org. Please mail your application and $30 application fee to:

New World Youth Orchestras

Symphony Centre

32 E. Washington Street

Suite 950

Indianapolis, IN 46204