The Quincy Area Youth Orchestra joined QSOA in 1993. QAYO attracts junior and senior high school students from the tri-state area of Illinois, Iowa, and Missouri. QAYO rehearses weekly during the school year, mostly on Saturday mornings and Sunday afternoons.
Tuition for the year is $60, with a discount for siblings. Tuition is free for families with significant financial need. More detailed information may be found on the QAYO Brochure, or call 217-222-2856 or e-mail us at [email protected].
Quincy Area Youth Orchestra Conductor
Richard M. Cangro
Quincy Area Youth Orchestra Conductor
Performances
Young Artists Concert
The QAYO will join the QSO side-by-side for a brand new work for orchestra composed by William Camphouse. The piece was commissioned for the youth orchestra in honor of the QSOA 75th Anniversary.
Sunday, Feb. 19, 2023 3:00pm
QJHS Morrison Theater
$15 Seniors, $18 other adults. Children under 18 admitted free.
Spring Concert
The progression and quality of our young musicians is showcased every year at a spring concert.
March 26, 2023 7:00pm
Baldwin School Auditorium
Admission is free – donations to the QAYO are encouraged.
Auditions
All musicians must audition each year for the QAYO. Auditions will be done virtually by submitting a video link to Dr. Cangro. Audition requirements are specified in the “QAYO Auditions Instructions” document below. Membership is limited. Submit video auditions by September 30, 2022.
Registration: Students will submit a Registration Form and tuition payment after being accepted into the ensemble.
QAYO musicians participated in the first Heart of Illinois Youth Orchestra Festival in June 2017. The combined orchestra performed in the beautiful Krannert Center on the U of I campus. A 2nd Festival is being planned for 2023.
QAYO Downloads
2022-23 Youth Orchestra Schedule
QAYO Brochure (PDF - Updated 9/24/21)
Richard Cangro with 2016-17 QAYO Seniors
This program was made possible by Encore! Symphony Volunteer Council and grants from the Illinois Arts Council Agency, the Tracy Family Foundation, the Michelmann Foundation, the J.W. Gardner II Foundation, and the following funds through the Community Foundation: Jayne & Leroy Boeckelman Fund for Young Musicians, Katherine Broemmel Endowment for the Arts, Paul H. & Anne B. Gardner Memorial Fund, Mary Ridder Cherny Fund and the Irwin Family Fund.
The QAYO rehearsing side-by-side with the Quincy Symphony Orchestra.
