Members–

In order to retain your membership with the Billings Youth Orchestra, simply follow these steps:

Step 1:  Application

You can apply to our program by visiting our website at www.billingsyouthorchestra.org and clicking on “Join BYO” and then the On-Line Application. Answer all of the questions, unanswered questions or blank spaces may lead to disqualification of your application. Be sure to click on submit and make note of the date. Please choose a method of payment as indicated within the application. Your application must be submitted through our website or presented in person to BYO no later than June 29, 2012. The next step is preparing your audition.

 Step 2:  Audition

The audition process is quite simple. Audition materials will be posted by June 1^st on our website. If you are a new applicant seeking membership in our program, or if you are a current member wishing to advance to a higher level ensemble, you will need to audition. For orchestra players, that means submitting a recording of yourself playing the audition music for the level you’re interested in. You will indicate on your application which orchestra you are applying and auditioning for.

If you are not accepted into the orchestra of your choice, we will typically offer you a position in the next level down so that you will still have the opportunity to participate. This will be an excellent opportunity to continue honing your skills, thus improving your chances of a successful audition next season for the higher level.

If you are a returning member of Young Artists (formerly known as T-Rep), or Repertory Orchestra, and you wish to stay in the same group, you are still required to submit an audition. For most players, this will be used by the conductor only to help determine seating assignments. However, when positions are limited (such as woodwind, brass, and percussion positions in Repertory Orchestra), the auditions are more significant. Returning members may be competing for admission or seating placements with new applicants.

The chart below should help you decide if you need to submit a recorded audition or not.

For orchestra students who need help making an audition recording, we will be offering recording services on two separate dates, July 7^th and July 21^st at the BYO office, located at 111 N. 30^th Street in Billings, from 9:00AM to 3:00PM.

Orchestra audition recordings must be postmarked or emailed to BYO by midnight on July 28, 2012.

Admittance to Chorale will require a live audition. Auditions will be held at the BYO office, located at 111 N. 30^th Street in Billings on July 14, 2012, from 9:00AM to 4:00PM. Qualified applicants with be notified of their audition time prior to July 14^th.

Step 3:  Acceptance

By August 7, 2012, new applicants for both orchestra and chorale will be notified if they’ve been accepted. New and returning orchestra applicants will also learn which ensemble they’ve been placed in. If you passed your audition, but were not accepted because of limited available positions (such as Repertory wind sections and Chorale), you will be placed on a wait list. If you were accepted, you must confirm your intention to join, and arrange tuition payment by August 18 unless prepaid with application. (See payment options below.) If we do not hear from you by that deadline, we will begin notifying wait-listed students, and you may lose your position.

Step 4:  Tuition

As shown below, tuition is different for each ensemble. The quoted amounts are for the entire season (including both semesters), starting in September and ending in March or April. If you have more than one applicant in your family, you are eligible for the family discount. Your tuition payment covers auditions, opening orientation (potluck dinner), 24 to 26 rehearsals, sectionals, two concerts, local tours and events, guest conductors, master classes, and receptions after the concerts. (Be advised that exact program content varies by group level.) Major tours for Repertory and Young Artists are optional and will cost extra depending on the tour.

We understand that in today’s economy it can be difficult to pay for additional programs outside of school. Therefore we’re offering the option of spreading tuition payments across the season to make joining BYOC less of a burden on families, especially those with more than one child in our program. We also offer tuition assistance. (See below.)

Option 1: Single Payment – Simply send us a check or money order, or submit your payment by credit card on our website via Pay Pal at time of application. Payment must be received by August 18^th to guarantee your position. All tuition payments must be received by August 30^th or a late fee of $35 will be assessed.

Option 2: Six Payments – Submit the enclosed ACH Withdrawal Form with your checking account and routing numbers. We will set up equal monthly payments covering the tuition for each student enrolled in the program. That amount will be withdrawn from your checking account each month for the duration of the season (total tuition/6 equal payments). The same deadlines apply as for Option 1.

Program Fees for the 2012 – 2013

Preludio String                                  $225 per musician

Concert Orchestra                           $250 per musician

Young Artists                                    $300 per musician

Repertory Orchestra                      $325 per musician

Chorale                                                 $250 per vocalist

Family Discount                               2 musicians: $25 discount on total tuition                   

                                                                3 musicians: $50 discount on total tuition

                                                                4 musicians: $75 discount on total tuition

Tuition Assistance

Part of our charter is to provide scholarships to students whose families may not be able to pay some or all of our tuition. We offer full and partial scholarships based on several criteria, submission of financial application and letter stating your particular situation, family interview, the student’s desire to participate, and a letter of recommendation from a local music instructor.

If you are in need of financial assistance, please follow the instructions on our Tuition Assistance application found on our website, and submit the forms along with a letter of recommendation from the music instructor. This should accompany your student’s application. Once we receive your application we will contact you to set up your personal interview to discuss your specific request and situation. Payment arrangements must be completed by the same deadlines as listed under Option 1 above.

Tuition Refunds

BYOC will only refund tuition until August 30^th. After August 30^th all tuition received becomes non-refundable.

Season Schedule

Our season runs from mid-September to late March or early April. Our rehearsals are held on Monday, in late afternoon or early evening. We make every effort to accommodate conflicts with school schedules and we have made an effort to keep our repertory rehearsals from conflicting with Tri-County Honor Band. To learn more about the entire season schedule (posted by June 1^st), and to make note of important dates, visit our website at www.billingsyouthorchestra.org. If you have questions, call us at the BYO office (406) 248-2200. You can also call our BYO cell phone at (406) 647-2749.