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Youth SYMPHONY

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 Youth Symphony

Youth Symphony auditions are ongoing throughout the season until positions are filled. However, our general auditions for all the ASYO ensembles are held in August prior to the concert season, which runs from August through May. Priority seating will be given to those auditioning on the formal audition dates. However, a private audition can be scheduled at any time throughout the season. In addition there will be January auditions for the spring semester.

Auditions and membership is open primarily to students in middle school and high school. Younger students with exceptional ability will also be considered for membership.

The concert season generally includes 4 main concert events with music ranging from challenging orchestral works of great composers to holiday classics and some pop music. Opportunities to play in smaller chamber ensembles may also exist.

Students that do not have an active band or orchestra program in their school can participate in GMEA auditions through the ASYO, but their membership must stay active for the full school year.

ABOUT THE CONDUCTOR

Kim Stocksdale serves as the conductor of the Alpharetta Symphony Youth Orchestras. Ms. Stocksdale has 15 years of experience as a music educator. Most recently, she directed the Forsyth Central High School Orchestra as well as the Little Mill Middle School Orchestra Club. She maintains a private lesson studio offering lessons for violin, viola, cello, and piano. Ms. Stocksdale is currently a member of the Alpharetta Symphony and Forsyth Symphony Orchestra, where she plays violin.

Meet the Team

  • Education and Outreach Director

    BARBARAANN BONGIOVANNI

    Barbaraann Bongiovanni is the Education and Outreach Director for the Alpharetta Symphony, overseeing the Youth Orchestra and Chamber Music Outreach Program. A professional clarinetist with degrees from Bowling Green University and DePaul University, she studied with J. Lawrie Bloom of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra. Barbaraann has performed with ensembles across the U.S. and currently plays with the Alpharetta Symphony, Alpharetta Symphony Woodwind Quintet, DeKalb Symphony, Georgia Philharmonic, and Titan Winds Quintet.

  • Youth Symphony and Prelude Strings Conductor

    KIM STOCKSDALE

    Kim Stocksdale serves as the conductor of the Alpharetta Symphony Youth Orchestras. Ms. Stocksdale has 15 years of experience as a music educator. Most recently, she directed the Forsyth Central High School Orchestra as well as the Little Mill Middle School Orchestra Club. She maintains a private lesson studio offering lessons for violin, viola, cello, and piano. Ms. Stocksdale is currently a member of the Alpharetta Symphony and Forsyth Symphony Orchestra, where she plays violin.

  • YOUTH OPERATIONS COORDINATOR

    REBECA GRIFITH

2025-26 AUDITION INFORMATION

The Alpharetta Symphony Youth Orchestras will be accepting audition tapes for the 2025-26 season from May 18, 2025, to August 18, 2025, at 11:59pm. In-person auditions are available by appointment on August 18, 2025, at Preston Ridge Community Center. Our ensembles include the Youth Orchestra, the newly introduced Youth Wind Orchestra, and Prelude Strings (beginning strings – no audition required).

For more information or to schedule an audition during the season, please use the form at the bottom of this page.

Members from previous seasons should submit a 2 minute video of the audition requirements, along with the audition form.

Audition Requirements

For strings, woodwinds, brass, piano, harp: 

  • 2 major scales (2 or 3 octaves) 

  • 2 contrasting pieces (e.g. solo, etude, orchestral excerpt) written for your instrument​)

For percussion:

  • 1 excerpt or etude for timpani

  • 1 excerpt or etude for auxiliary instrument

Please click the buttons below to fill out the audition form and pay the $25 application fee to schedule your audition:

2024-25 MEMBERSHIP

Students who are accepted into the Alpharetta Symphony Youth Orchestras ​must read the ASYO Handbook, complete the Membership Form, and pay their Tuition. Links to the form and to pay tuition can be found at the bottom of the Member Handbook. Membership tuition is due on or before the first rehearsal of each "semester" (August-November/December and January-May). ASYO Tuition pricing for the 2024-2025 Season is $500 for the full season or $300 per semester. Pricing for Prelude Strings is $250 for the full season or $150 per “semester.”

2025-26 MEMBERSHIP INFO COMING SOON!

2024-25 REHEARSALS AND CONCERTS

Rehearsals and concerts will generally be held on Sundays from 5:00-7:00PM. All rehearsals take place at Preston Ridge Community Center (Preston Ridge Road, Ste. 100, Alpharetta, next to the Alpharetta YMCA).

REHEARSALS

  • Cycle 1: Sept 15, Sept 22, Sept 29, Oct 6, Oct 13, Oct 20

  • Cycle 2: Nov 3, Nov 10 (Venue TBA), Nov 17, Dec 1, Dec 8

  • Cycle 3: Jan 12, Jan 19, Jan 26, Feb 2, Feb 9, Feb 23, Mar 2

  • Cycle 4: Mar 16, Mar 23, Mar 30, Apr 13, Apr 20, Apr 27, May 4

CONCERTS

  • Concert 1: October 27, 2024 at 5:30pm
    Innovation Academy (125 Milton Ave, Alpharetta)

  • Concert 2: December 15, 2024
    North Point Mall (1000 North Point Cir, Alpharetta, near the Macy’s indoor entrance)

  • Concert 3: March 9, 2025 at 5:30pm
    Innovation Academy (125 Milton Ave, Alpharetta)

  • Concert 4: May 11, 2025 at 5:30pm
    Innovation Academy (125 Milton Ave, Alpharetta)

Workshop

  • Workshop featuring Jake Hood, Director of Orchestras at Alpharetta High School
    March 30, 2025 at 5:30pm
    Preston Ridge Community Center (Preston Ridge Road, Ste. 100, Alpharetta, next to the Alpharetta YMCA)

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.