The LYO business office is located in the St. Matthews Pavilion at 4121 Shelbyville Rd, 2nd Floor. Rehearsals take place at the Youth Performing Arts School, St. Matthews Pavilion, and Lincoln Performing Arts Elementary School.

It shall be the purpose of the Louisville Youth Orchestra to afford a quality musical experience for its members and to provide the opportunity to perform for the benefit of the community regardless of race, creed, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation or economic circumstances.

The LYO is a member of the Fund for the Arts and League of American Orchestras.

The LYO invites all young musicians up to age 21 to audition.

• Membership in each of four orchestras shall be decided through an audition. Playing ability and balance of instrumentation shall be the determining factors in the selection of members. Membership is not automatically renewed.
• All LYO members are required to participate in their school instrumental music program (orchestra or band). Home-schooled students and students who attend schools that do not have a school band/orchestra are exempt.
• All members are required to take private music lessons.
• A limited number of need-based scholarships are available.

• It is the player’s responsibility to take their music folder home to practice and to bring the music folder to every rehearsal/performance.
• Members are required to have a pencil at all times.
• Proper behavior is expected.
• An absence form must be filled out and turned in to your Production Manager one week in advance for all absences. In cases of day-of-rehearsal emergencies, the absence form must be e-mailed to your Production Manager no later than 9:00 am.
• Check the LYO website and your personal e-mail frequently for scheduling changes and updates.
• No refreshments are allowed in rehearsal rooms/concert halls.
• No member is allowed to leave the grounds during breaks.
• If you will not be returning with the group after a field trip, you must inform your Production Manager in writing and in advance.
• When performing away from your rehearsal location, each LYO member is to bring a music stand that has his/her name on each piece.
• All music in the LYO folder is the responsibility of the player. Players must report missing music to the librarian immediately and will be charged for lost copies.
• No electronic devices during rehearsal.

Parents/Guardians are expected to be on-site for pickup of members at the end of rehearsals/performances. Members left waiting at rehearsal/performance sites cost the LYO extra custodial fees and are imposing upon LYO staff members’ time. Parents/Guardians who pick up members late will be charged $1.00 per late minute. Members who have not paid this assessment will not be admitted to the next rehearsal.

In keeping with the purpose of the LYO to provide a quality musical experience, it is the belief of the LYO staff that ALL students are responsible to their colleagues, their conductor, themselves, and ultimately to the music itself. Therefore, as a member of LYO, it is the responsibility of each and every member to:

A.  attend all rehearsals and performances
B.  be in their seats at least 15 minutes before the start of rehearsal
C.  have practiced and prepared the music between each rehearsal
D.  turn in absence forms in a timely manner

As a member of LYO, you are making a commitment to your orchestra. The ensemble’s success is heavily dependent on regular attendance from EVERYONE. When you miss a rehearsal, not only are you missing out on important musical details that you can’t obtain by individual practicie, but you are also creating a void in the ensemble that cannot be filled in any way -   like a baseball team trying to play a scrimmage without a 1^st baseman. It doesn’t matter how good the 1^st baseman is or how much he practices on his own, the team can’t POSSIBLY be their best without him.

It doesn’t matter if you’re absent from LYO because you’re sick, have an academic competition, on a school trip, or on vacation. If you’re not there, you’re not there. With this kind of dedication and mindset needed in place, we also understand that other important events/commitments on Sunday afternoons are going to happen on occasion. Therefore, we expect that each member will use their judgment wisely and honor their commitment to the LYO on Sundays when making important decisions about other commitments.


With that in mind, the following guidelines will be strictly enforced.

1. There are no more excused or unexcused absences. An absence is an absence.
2. Every LYO member is allowed a maximum of FOUR (4) ABSENCES per season. Once a member obtains their fifth absence of the season, no matter what the reason, they will lose their membership for the remainder of the season without a refund. No exceptions. Mandatory school performances which conflict with Sunday LYO rehearsals (with the exception of a dress rehearsal) will NOT count toward your four absences. The required school performance absence form must be turned in to your Production Manager at least two weeks in advance for this exemption to be honored. These performances MUST be on the same instrument you play in LYO.
3. Every LYO member is allowed a maximum of TWO (2) ABSENCES per November concert cycle and March concert cycle. Every member is allowed ONE (1) ABSENCE for the December Holiday Concert and Spring Pops Concert. If you exceed those limits, you will not be permitted to play in that particular concert. You will still be able to participate in the remainder of the season.
4. THE DRESS REHEARSAL FOR ANY CONCERT IS 100% MANDATORY FOR ALL MEMBERS. There will be no exceptions to this rule - don’t ask for one.
5. Absence forms should be filled out at least one week in advance so we know you will be missing. If you are sick or have an emergency, please call your Production Manager as soon as possible BEFORE REHEARSAL and then fill out an absence form the following week at rehearsal.
6. Three tardies count as one absence.

It is obviously our hope that each of our members can participate in all of the concerts. If for some reason, however, you know that you will not be able to adhere to Policy #3 or #4 for a particular concert, please let as know as early as possible, so that we can make other arrangements to cover your part if necessary.

The LYO occasionally plans tours for its members. Members involved will be assessed additional tour fees above the usual membership fees during these years. Limited scholarships may be offered for those members in need of assistance.

All percussionists are required to assist with the moving of percussion equipment to and from concert locations. Any percussionist who does not actively participate may be dismissed from the LYO at the discretion of the Music Director.

In order to provide a professional and uniform appearance, the following dress code is required for concerts. Any attire which detracts from the music is considered unacceptable. Deviation from the following dress code WILL result in a player not being allowed to participate in a given performance. Decisions in this regard are at the discretion of the LYO staff. No perfume, cologne or aftershave during rehearsals or performances.

All fees associated with the Louisville Youth Orchestra are NON-REFUNDABLE.

Executive Director: Melody Welsh-Buchholz / info@lyo.org
Music Director/Symphony Orch Conductor: Jason Seber / jaseber@hotmail.com
Repertory Orch Cond: Fred Speck / frederick.speck@jefferson.kyschools.us
Concert Orch Cond: Chris Lerner / violinteacher@insightbb.com
Serenade Orch Cond: Elise Kotheimer Gambrell / aekoth01@gmail.com
Percussion Ensemble Coach: Mark Tate/tatemn@bellsouth.net
Horizons Ensemble Coaches:
     James Recktenwald (brass ) / jim@symphonicarts.com
     Dennis Robinson (winds) / robinson.d@insightbb.com
Co-Music Librarian / Co-Production Manager
     TBA (Sym/Rep/Horizons)
     Jessica Hubbard (CO/Ser/Perc Ens) / jelhubba@gmail.com / (502)994-3793