Students accepted into RYO participate in the full orchestra and a “by invitation” rock ensemble.

Students receive insightful, expert coaching from RYO’s faculty, enabling them to reach for a truly professional level of performance and rock their potential.

The RYO experience includes intermediate, and advanced orchestra performance opportunities.

By providing this comprehensive approach, RYO helps every student improve their individual skills and musicality while gaining an understanding of performing as part of ensembles of different levels.

RYO follows the school calendar, and rehearses Saturdays at Graner Music in Colorado Springs.

A typical Saturday rehearsal schedule looks like this:

10:00 – 11:50 – Rock and Roll Youth Orchestra 

Rokstra consists of students ages 11-18 and is dedicated to performing well-known popular music on the orchestral stage.

Once per year RYO pairs a pop or rock artist with the orchestra in performance.

Past collaborations (through the Xibus program) have included the Turtle Island Quartet, singers from GLEE!, Riverdance, and Celtic Woman.

In addition to participating in our full orchestra, students from RYO may be selected to join a rock ensemble, which include string quartets and trios.

The ensemble music experience provides all students with a deeper, more involved understanding of music and their instruments.

Each year RYO hosts world renowned chamber musicians and sought-after performers, composers and clinicians.

Past featured guests have included members of the Boston String Quartet, Todd Sullivan, and recording artists from EMI Records.

Regular sectionals are a key component to a successful performance.

Hours of detailed instruction are provided by world class musicians. Our faculty have performed with Herbie Hancock, Paul Simon, Jennifer Holiday, and for President George H.W. Bush, Queen Rainia of Jordan, Queen Noor, and First Lady Laura Bush.

Sectionals occur 2 to 3 times per concert cycle during the Saturday rehearsal block.