Question 1

What is YMCO?

Accepted Answer

Young Musicians Choral Orchestra is the only choral orchestra in the country, using year-round comprehensive music-training, academic tutoring and personal guidance to transform the lives of children and place them on a pathway to college.

Question 2

What Is A Choral Orchestra?

Accepted Answer

A choral orchestra is a miraculous combination of singing and playing orchestral instruments. Each student must sing in the chorus and play in the orchestra, on the same concert. The transformation occurs, seamlessly and in silence for all to witness. 
It challenges the mind, the vision and the ears of the audience.

Question 3

What Is YMCO’s Mission?

Accepted Answer

The mission of the Young Musicians Choral OrchestraTM (YMCO) is to use high quality, intensive musical training, academic support, and personal guidance to improve the lives of talented, low-income students, ages 9-18, from throughout the Bay Area. By advancing their academic, musical, and personal accomplishments throughout their middle-school and high-school years, YMCO enhances students’ competitive appeal and success at four-year universities and conservatories. All of YMCO’s services are provided at no cost.

Question 4

When Was YMCO Founded?

Accepted Answer

YMCO received its IRS Letter of Determination as an independent 501 (c) (3) non- profit organization on June 19, 2013. 
However, the first time that the students sang and played on the same concert was in June, 2011.

Question 5

Where Do The Students Come From?

Accepted Answer

YMCO students currently represent 4 counties in the Bay Area: Alameda, Contra Costa, San Francisco and Solano. 
They attend over 60 different schools.

Question 6

How Are They Chosen?

Accepted Answer

Students are chosen through a live audition and personal interview with the President & Artistic Director.

Question 7

How Do The Students Hear About The Program?

Accepted Answer

Students hear about the program from YMCO participants, their teachers and via direct mailings to middle and high schools in the Bay Area.

Question 8

Who Is Eligible?

Accepted Answer

Students between the ages of 10 (current 5th graders) and 17 (current 11th graders) are eligible for membership. They must live in the Bay area and meet low-income eligibility guidelines. Students at all levels of musical achievement may apply.
Students must have a 2.5 GPA upon entering YMCO but must commit to moving the GPA to 3.5 or better by graduation from the program.

Question 9

How Do You Define Low Income?

Accepted Answer

The income guidelines that YMCO uses to determine eligibility are calculated from the Federal Poverty Guidelines as published in the Federal Register, annually.

Question 10

2024 Eligibility Guidelines

Question 11

How Do I Apply?

Accepted Answer

Students are accepted on a rolling basis, throughout the year. Applications
are available by clicking here:

You may also request an application by calling the YMCO office: (510)845-YMCO
(9626) or by sending an e-mail to: ymco@youngmusiciansco.org.

Once accepted into the program, a student is eligible to continue until graduating from high school. YMCO scholarships are renewed, annually, based upon the Istudents successful execution of the three tenets of the YMCO Power Triangle:
Music, Academics and Citizenship.

Question 12

What Happens At The Audition?

Accepted Answer

Applicants are required to play or sing one or more of the following:
- A short composition (does not have to be memorized)
- Scales (one or more)
- Etudes (if applicable)

Beginners are welcome to apply. In those cases, applicants are accepted based upon innate musical skills, which are readily apparent via a brief musicality test.

Question 13

What Is The Summer Session?

Accepted Answer

Though YMCO is a year-round program, the most concentrated period of activity occurs in the summer. The summer session is an intensive 6-week program of daily music classes, 8:30 AM 5:00 PM. Daily attendance is mandatory.

Question 14

Are Students Given Transportation Assistance?

Accepted Answer

Complimentary BART tickets, ACT Transit and Clipper cards are provided to students to cover transportation for all YMCO sanctioned events, i.e., private lessons, summer session, special events.

Question 15

What Happens During The School Year?

Accepted Answer

Students take 1 or 2 private lessons per week, October through May. They attend weekly YMCO rehearsals at the YMCA/PG&E Teen Center. Monthly recitals are held at various venues throughout the Bay Area.

Question 16

How Much Does YMCO Cost?

Accepted Answer

YMCO is a full scholarship program. All instruction, supplies, music, instruments, breakfast & lunch during the summer and transportation are provided at no cost. However, students must make a commitment to work hard, be accountable and
become ambassadors for the program....at home, at school, and throughout the community. YMCO is a gift, to be valued and protected.

Question 17

Where Do YMCO Graduates Attend College?

Accepted Answer

YMCO graduates are admitted to attend the leading universities and conservatories in the nation. 100% of the students are given scholarships; 75% of them are for full tuition and room and board. The list includes: Harvard, Yale, Smith, Brown, Williams,
Stanford, UC Berkeley, University of Michigan School of Music, Juilliard, Manhattan School of Music, New England Conservatory, Cleveland Institute, Oberlin, San Francisco Conservatory, The New School, Wellesley, Columbia, Brown, University of Arizona, Auburn, Michigan State, San Jose State and Cal Arts.

Question 18

What Is The Value Of A YMCO Scholarship?

Accepted Answer

Each scholarship is valued at $12,000 per student.

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