Our Ensembles
Symphony Orchestra
The ETYO Symphony Orchestra offers a full orchestra experience to advanced string, woodwind, brass, and percussion players.
The ensemble regularly performs works from the standard orchestral repertoire, contemporary music, and more. The Symphony Orchestra is open to all musicians up to age 22 by audition.
Rehearsals for the Symphony Orchestra are held on Sundays, 2–4:30 PM at the UT Tyler Fine and Performing Arts Center (FAC), in the orchestra rehearsal hall.
**Season runs September through May
Philharmonic Orchestra
The ETYO Philharmonic Orchestra is a full orchestra experience that provides intermediate musicians the challenges to prepare for advancement into Symphony Orchestra.
The ensemble accepts musicians studying strings, woodwind, brass, and percussion instruments. The focus is on developing instrumental technique, refined ensemble playing, and different musical styles. The Philharmonic Orchestra is open to all musicians up to age 22 by audition.
Rehearsals for the Philharmonic Orchestra are held on Sundays, 2-4:30 PM at the UT Tyler Fine and Performing Arts Center (FAC), in the choir room.
**Season runs September through May
Preparatory Orchestra
The ETYO Preparatory Orchestra is a string orchestra experience that provides intermediate musicians the challenges to prepare for advancement into our full orchestras.
The ensemble accepts musicians studying string instruments. The focus is on developing instrumental technique, introduction to the orchestra experience, and different musical styles. The Preparatory Orchestra is open to musicians with at least one (1) year of playing experience on their instrument.
Rehearsals for the Preparatory Orchestra are held on Sundays, 1:00-2:00PM at the UT Tyler Fine and Performing Arts Center (FAC), in the choir room.
**Season runs September through May
Jazz Academy
The ETYO Jazz Academy provides young and talented musicians of East Texas the opportunity to study and perform America’s music – jazz.
The ETYO Jazz Academy provides instruction in instrumental techniques, improvisation, music theory, and jazz history to help each musician’s understanding of the art form and achieve excellence through performance.
Jazz Academy students perform repertoire that spans the history of writing for big band and combos through current day compositions. Musicians continually develop their improvisational skills and gain experience playing in both large and small, intimate settings. The ETYO Jazz Academy is open to all musicians up to age 22 by audition.
Rehearsals for the Jazz Academy are held on Sundays, 5-7 PM at the UT Tyler Fine and Performing Arts Center (FAC), in the orchestra rehearsal hall.
**Season runs January through May
After School Strings Clubs
Afterschool Strings Clubs get area fifth grade students started on their journey to the wonderful world of playing a stringed instrument and participating in an orchestra.
Fifth grade students meet one day each week after school for a quick snack, immersion in basic music theory and then a group lesson learning to play the violin. Parents join the group for the last 15 minutes of instruction, learning posture, positions and technique so they can help their child make progress during the week. Our staff is comprised of the area’s leading educators and music professionals.
These clubs are provided at no cost to participating families as they have been underwritten by very generous donors. ETYO currently has clubs in three Tyler ISD schools: Jack, Bell and Rice elementaries.
