LOU Youth Symphony
Interdisciplinary
Dates: Every Wednesday (Starting September 2, excluding Fall and Thanksgiving breaks) |
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Registration Deadline: August 24, 2026 |
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Times: 5:30 to 7:00 p.m. |
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Rehearsal Venue: Choir room in UM Music Building |
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Concert: December 5, 2026, 7 p.m., at Nutt Auditorium |
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Tuition: $110 |
*Returning Students (from 25-26 season): No audition required.
*Tryout Audition (NEW STUDENTS only): DIGITAL AUDITION. Students are required to submit their recordings online by August 24th. Please follow the recording guidelines below.
Lafayette Oxford University (LOU) Youth Symphony aims to build excellent orchestra players for students in 7th through 12th grade. Orchestra classes and rehearsals are designed to teach students in an enjoyable, active and stimulating environment under the direction of Dr. Armee Hong and conducted by Dr. Selim Giray and Dr. Morreale. Sectionals will be coached by: Dr. Armee Hong (violin/viola), Dr. Kelsey Smith (Cello/Bass), Dr. Philip Snyder (woodwind), and Dr. Morreale (Brass).
The orchestra rehearsals will take place on Wednesdays from 5:30 to 7:00 p.m. in the UM Music Building. Students must provide their own instruments.
In addition to classes and rehearsals, LOU Youth Symphony students receive more advanced musicianship skills to facilitate their ability to read, write, sing, and harmonize. The LOU Youth Symphony concert will highlight players’ beautiful tone, musical, and technical abilities.
- Complete the Getting Started Form
- Within 3 business days, you will receive an email from umprecollege@myschoolapp.com with steps to create your account and access the Admissions Portal through our Blackbaud MySchoolApp system.
- If already in the system, your student’s checklist will be updated to the new program checklist.
- Complete the LOU Youth Symphony application and checklist items.
- Submit up to two video files that include both scales and a piece of the applicant's choice by August 24, 2026. See Auditions Tab for more information.
- Students will be notified of acceptance.
- Pay the $110 tuition fee.
Audition requirement: All instruments (String, Wind, Brass, Percussion)
- One major and one minor scale: You can choose any major/minor scale from 1 to 3 octaves.
and - Any one piece of the student's own choice: Please submit up to two video files that includes both scales and a piece of the applicant’s choice. You may use a cell phone but ensure that you achieve good video and audio quality by capturing the full body of the student and the instrument. Record in a quiet environment with no background noise.
Application Deadline: August 24, 2026
Students will be notified of acceptance by August 28th.
Please note, all checklist items are due by August 31st. Students who have not completed their checklist items may NOT participate in the program.
Benefit for UM Faculty and Staff
Full-time University of Mississippi employees can choose one of these payment options:
- Upfront Payment: Pay $170/week with a credit card and save $25 per week.
- Payroll Deduction: Pay $195/week over six pay periods, starting in July. Available until June 15th.
Only one payment option can be used per week; both options cannot be combined.
Financial Aid available.
Need-based assistance is available for Rebel Quest and other summer programs. Only one week per child can be scholarship-funded. Funding is limited and offered on a first-come, first-served basis.
