ALPHARETTA SYMPHONY Youth orchestras (ASYO)
This intrepid group of young musicians perform in your community, make music with friends, and work with professional musicians all right in Alpharetta!
ABOUT THE ASYO
Founded in 2018, the Alpharetta Symphony Youth Orchestras (ASYO) provide young musicians in the North Fulton area with a dynamic and educational performance experience. Each season runs alongside the school year, from August to May, and features four main concerts that showcase a diverse repertoire of orchestral masterworks, holiday classics, and popular selections spanning centuries and cultures.
The ASYO features multiple ensembles designed to support students at various levels of experience. Prelude Strings (no audition required) nurtures developing string players, while the Youth Orchestra provides young musicians the opportunity to perform in a full symphony orchestra setting featuring strings, woodwinds, brass, and percussion. The Youth Philharmonia, also a full symphony orchestra, is designed for more advanced middle and high school musicians.
Beyond large ensemble performances, ASYO musicians can participate in chamber music, collaborate with members of the Alpharetta Symphony, and engage in workshops with special guest artists. Additionally, students without an active band or orchestra program at their school can participate in GMEA auditions through ASYO, provided they commit to the full tuition pricing at the beginning of the season and maintain active membership in the ASYO for the entire school year.
Our Youth Ensembles
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Prelude Strings
Designed to support young beginners in string instruments, open to elementary through high school students. While no audition is required to join Prelude Strings, participating students should be comfortable reading music and familiar with basic instrumental skills. These include: Using all fingers in first position (including low 1, low 2, and high 3), playing a variety of slurred and hooked bow patterns, performing sixteenth note rhythms, as well as dotted eighth and sixteenth note variations.
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Youth Orchestra
A full symphony orchestra for young musicians ready to expand their ensemble experience and musical independence. The Youth Orchestra includes strings, woodwinds, brass, and percussion, with a focus on strengthening technique, artistry, and collaborative performance skills. Please see the audition information below for more details.
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Youth Philharmonia
Our advanced-level full symphony orchestra for highly accomplished middle and high school musicians seeking a rigorous and inspiring orchestral experience. Featuring strings, woodwinds, brass, and percussion, Youth Philharmonia cultivates refined musicianship, leadership, and high-level ensemble performance. Please see the audition information below for more details.
Meet the Team
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Education and Outreach Director
BARBARAANN BONGIOVANNI
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Youth Orchestra and Youth Philharmonia Conductor
JEREMY WOOLSTENHULME
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Prelude Strings Conductor
CLAIRE HANEBERG
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YOUTH OPERATIONS COORDINATOR
REBECA GRIFFITH
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ASSISTANT PRODUCTION MANAGER
PETER OTIM
2026-27 ASYO SCHEDULE
Auditions
In-person auditions for the Youth Orchestra and Youth Philharmonia—no audition needed for Prelude Strings, will take place at Preston Ridge Community Center (Preston Ridge Road, Ste. 100, Alpharetta, next to the Alpharetta YMCA). Interested in signing up for an audition? Fill out the form below or email us at youth@alpharettasymphony.org for more information.
Youth Orchestra and Youth Philharmonia:
Woodwinds, Brass, & Percussion: All auditions will be held in person on Sunday, August 2nd and Sunday, August 9th, 2-7 PM.
Returning Strings: Video submission due by Sunday, August 2, 2026 at 11:59 PM.
New Strings (except Prelude Strings students): In-person audition required. All auditions will be held in person on Sunday, August 2nd and Sunday, August 9th, 2-7 PM.
Prelude Strings: Prelude students should be comfortable reading music, using all fingers in first position (including low 1, low 2 and high 3), playing a variety of slurred and hooked bow patterns, performing sixteenth note rhythms (and dotted eighth sixteenth variations.)
Rehearsals and Concerts
Rehearsals and concerts will generally be held on Sundays. All rehearsals take place at Preston Ridge Community Center (Preston Ridge Road, Ste. 100, Alpharetta, next to the Alpharetta YMCA). Please be aware that this calendar is subject to change; however, the ASYO Team will contact you with any changes.
Rehearsal Times
Prelude Strings: Sundays, 3-4 PM
Youth Orchestra: Sundays, 3-4:45 PM
Youth Philharmonia: Sundays, 5-7 PM
Concert and Rehearsal Dates
Concert #1 (Innovation Academy Auditorium)
PRCC Rehearsals: 8/23, 9/13, 9/20, 9/27, 10/4, 10/18, 10/25
Concert: Sunday, November 1st, 2026, 5:30 PMConcert #2 (North Point Mall)
PRCC Rehearsals: 11/8, 11/15, 11/22, 12/6
Concert: Sunday, December TBA, 5:30 PMConcert #3 (Innovation Academy Auditorium)
PRCC Rehearsals: 1/10, 1/17, 1/24, 1/31, 2/7, 2/14, 2/21, 2/28, 3/7
Concert: Sunday, March 14, 2027, 5:30 PM
*Side by Side with Alpharetta Symphony Musicians
*“Sing Me a Story” concert.Concert #4 (Innovation Academy Auditorium)
PRCC Rehearsals: 3/21, 3/28, 4/4, 4/11, 4/18, 4/25, 5/2
Concert: Sunday, May 9, 2027, 5:30 PM
Workshop (Mandatory)
Concert and Pre-concert Talk with Maestros Michael Giel and Jeremy Woolstenhulme
Innovation Academy: Sunday, May 2, 2027
Alpharetta Symphony’s Beethoven’s 7th performance featuring Youth Conductor Jeremy Woolstenhulme playing Haydn’s Cello Concerto, preceded by a special pre-concert talk for students of the Alpharetta Youth Symphony Orchestras.
Other Activities (Updated Regularly)
Youth Season Kick-Off Party!
Preston Ridge Community Center: Sunday, August 16, 2026, Time TBA
Join us as we kick off the ASYO season with pizza, games, and a chance to connect and get to know one another.ASYO Scarecrow Set-Up
Wills Park: September TBA
Do you want to build a scarecrow? Each year, the ASYO selects a new “De-Composer” to decorate and bring to life.Polar Bear Plunge (Freezin’ for a Reason!)
Wills Park Pool: Saturday, February 6, 2027, 10 PM -12 PM
Support the ASYO and get your cold plunge in for the day as you jump into the icy waters of Wills Park Pool—all while supporting a great cause.
2026-27 MEMBERSHIP InfO COMING SOON
Learn more about the ASYO
Interested in learning more about the Alpharetta Symphony Youth Orchestras? Fill out this form and a member of our team will get back to you.
How Your Donation Supports the ASYO
& Youth Music Education
When you give to the Alpharetta Symphony, you’re not just supporting extraordinary performances—you’re investing in the next generation of musicians. A portion of every donation helps fund the Alpharetta Symphony Youth Orchestras (ASYO) and our expanding music education programs. Your generosity makes it possible for young musicians across our community to learn, grow, and thrive.
Your support helps us:
Provide high-quality musical instruction led by professional and experienced educators.
Offer meaningful rehearsal and performance opportunities, giving students the chance to play challenging repertoire in a supportive, inspiring environment.
Maintain affordable tuition and offer scholarships, ensuring that cost is never a barrier for young musicians who want to participate.
Purchase and maintain essentials, from percussion and stage gear to sheet music and learning materials.
Create side-by-side concerts and mentorship experiences that allow students to learn directly from the professionals of the Alpharetta Symphony.
Expand outreach into the community, fostering a lifelong love of music in children who may not otherwise have access.
When you donate, you help us build a vibrant future for music in Alpharetta—one student, one rehearsal, one performance at a time.