Welcome to the

Greater Boulder Youth Orchestras

Challenging Rewarding Fun!






2024

SCORE


A unique, interactive fundraiser.

Compose new music! Support the arts! Support the youth!

Join composer Leanna Kirchoff and GBYO students to create a brand-new piece of music on the spot. Raise funds while having fun creating music! The piece is performed only once in the history of human beings: that very night. You have to be there to take part and witness its creation.

2018: Andy Reiner, Gobby Boggy Fly
2019: Paul Fowler, 5638 Why Didn't We Get to Eat?
2020: Leanna Kirchoff, Blue Jay
2021: PROJECT Trio, Colorado Sunrise
2022: Tom Hagerman, Dry Erase Noise Explosion?
2023: Chappell Kingsland, Invasion of the...
2024: Leanna Kirchoff, ???

About the composer:

American composer Leanna Kirchoff writes vocal and instrumental chamber music, choral music, and opera. Her chamber operas, THE CLEVER ARTIFICE OF HARRIET AND MARGARET, SCRAPBOOKERS, and TO SEE THAT RED THINGS FLOW have been performed at numerous venues in the US. Kirchoff and librettist, Rachel J. Peters, were awarded an OPERA America Discovery Grant supporting FRIDAY AFTER FRIDAY developed in workshops in 2019. Most recently, “Arias from Friday After Friday” was awarded the 2021 Miriam Gideon Prize by the International Alliance of Women in Music. Kirchoff is profiled in the National Association of Teachers of Singing 2019 publication, So You Want to Sing Music by Women. She holds a doctorate degree from the University of Colorado and teaches at the University of Denver.





Audition workshop


Learn about auditioning for GBYO!
Join us on zoom for an introduction to GBYO, meet our Artistic Director, and learn about auditions.





2024

Spring Concert


Featuring the winners of the annual Concerto Competition, a world premiere, and special guest Francisco Fullana!

  • Sunday April 28, 2:00 pm
  • Macky Auditorium
  • Jiyu Kim, violin & Seungjae Kim, violin, Concerto Competition winners
  • Complimentary tickets available for music teachers.
  • Sponsored by Scherer Violin Shop and Paul's Coffee and Tea

Concert ticket: Spring 2023

Concert ticket: Spring 2024

$10.00 - $15.00

Buy now






Support GBYO




There are several ways to support the young musicians of GBYO


See some of the benefits of supporting GBYO.







GBYO Videos










Benefits of joining GBYO include:
  • Rehearsals. More than two dozen rehearsals throughout the school year conducted by professionals, during which students learn the finer points and collaborative nature of preparing ensemble music for performance.
  • New friends. Join like-minded excellent young musicians from across Colorado, encompassing approximately 45 different schools.
  • Outstanding conductors. Motivating, challenging, award winning, knowledgeable, in demand, inspiring… GBYO conductors are awesome! Young musicians typically have the opportunity to work with such conductors once or twice a year at a brief festival like All State. GBYO musicians work with these conductors each week!
  • Mentors. Outstanding professional musicians and graduate students work with GBYO students weekly. Read more.
  • Performances in a large ensemble. GBYO has three orchestras and a wind ensemble.
  • Performing works by master composers. Past performances have included works by Tchaikovsky, Beethoven, Bach, Gershwin, Copland, and so many more.
  • Performing world premieres. GBYO ensembles have premiered several new works.
  • Performing in concert halls like Macky Auditorium (or maybe even the Kennedy Center!).
  • Chamber music. Hone your skills in musicianship, leadership, and teamwork.
  • Community. Connect with many people from throughout Colorado. Perform in the community, outside of the concert hall.
  • Mini retreat. Each ensemble gets together for a special afternoon beyond the usual rehearsal time.
  • Collaborations. GBYO collaborates with oustanding professional groups like the Boulder Philharmonic and Colorado Music Festival.
  • Guest musicians. Musicians from professional orchestras like Colorado Ballet, Boulder Bach Festival, and universities often work with GBYO ensembles.
  • Masterclass opportunities. GBYO musicians have performed in masterclasses with musicians like Maureen Murchie, Takacs String Quartet, Brook Ferguson, Augustin Hadelich, Vadim Repin, and more.
  • Life skills. Participation in instrumental music results in profound and lasting positive change in behavior, as evidenced in much scientific research: music students have an easier time staying focused, learning new languages, and thinking abstractly, and have higher level cognitive processes. GBYO rehearsals fully engage students; the skills learned in practicing and preparing carry over to school and all areas of life, and our members use these skills to boost achievement.
  • Opportunities. GBYO students are better prepared for other prestigious opportunities, and have participated in programs like All State Orchestra, Interlochen, and Tanglewood. GBYO graduates have gone on to study music at leading institutions like Juilliard, University of Michigan, and Eastman.



Support

GBYO


GBYO is a non-profit organization and relies on the support of donors.

Your support makes a positive difference in the lives of gifted young musicians and the community they serve.

  • Make a donation
    Make your donation today through Colorado Gives.





Meet our team


Read more about the GBYO team

Three orchestras and a wind ensemble


Symphony, Wind Ensemble, Philharmonic, Sinfonia

GBYO Symphony

The most advanced strings, winds, brass, and percussion. Conducted by Gary Lewis.

GBYO Wind Ensemble

Winds, brass, and percussion from both the Symphony and Philharmonic. Conudcted by Dr. Erik Johnson.

GBYO Philharmonic

Full orchestra of strings, winds, brass, and percussion. Conducted by Emily Bowman.

GBYO Sinfonia

Entry level string orchestra. Conducted by Paul Rowinski.

GBYO Chamber Music

Small groups of 4-10. Led by Matt Dane.

Special events

Guests, masterclasses, and more. Free and open to everyone, not just GBYO students.

Tuition Assistance

We want to work with you!

Some of our Supporters









GBYO is a non-profit organization and relies on the support of donors.



Student tuition and ticket sales cover less than half of the costs
of this organization; the rest comes from donations and grants.


GBYO has supported dozens of students with financial assistance,
some of whom have gone on to study music in college.

Listen to GBYO


Recordings taken from live performances


What students and parents have to say about GBYO


Leave your own feedback

Contact GBYO


Contact Executive Director Dr. Jack: