The Austin Youth Orchestra performing in Bates Recital Hall beneath its pipe organ, with the audience in the foreground

Austin Youth Orchestra

Celebrating 33 years of music, growth, and community.

Austin Youth Orchestra brings young musicians from across Central Texas together to develop their artistry, build friendships, and share the joy of orchestral music. Through five orchestras, inspiring musical experiences, and free public concerts around Austin, students find opportunities to grow—and a place to belong.

Explore Our Orchestras Learn About Auditions

This season, over 300 young musicians from more than 15 school districts are playing in AYO’s five orchestras.

Public, private, charter, and homeschool families from across Central Texas.

Fall 2026 · Celebrating America’s 250th

American Voices

This fall, Austin Youth Orchestra presents American Voices, a musical exploration celebrating America’s 250th birthday through the extraordinary range of traditions, histories, communities, and sounds that have shaped American music.

Featuring works by George Gershwin, William Grant Still, Florence Price, JaRod Hall, Robert Sheldon, and more, American Voices brings all five AYO orchestras together to ask: Whose voices and musical traditions make up American music?

  • 14composers
  • 5orchestras
  • 2free concerts
See the programs
Austin Youth Orchestra
American Voices concert poster: Philharmonic and Symphony Orchestras, Sunday, October 18, 2026, 7:00 pm, Westlake Performing Arts Center

Free and open to the public. No tickets required.

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Life at AYO

A Sunday at AYO.

Here’s what a typical rehearsal day looks like. Swipe through.

  1. Two AYO students smile through a black and gold balloon arch on orientation day
    01 Arrive

    Sunday afternoon. Cases open, and friends catch up before rehearsal starts.

  2. A young violinist tunes her instrument
    02 Tune

    Everyone is seated and tuned five minutes before the downbeat.

  3. An AYO conductor leads rehearsal with an outstretched arm
    03 Rehearse

    Our conductors work with every section and push everyone a little further each week.

  4. A young bassist rehearses with his orchestra
    04 Every part

    From the back of the orchestra to the concertmaster, every part matters.

  5. Two AYO woodwind players in concert attire give a thumbs up backstage
    05 Belong

    Students make friends with musicians from schools all over town.

  6. AYO violinists perform in concert
    06 Perform

    Then it’s concert time, with a hall full of families cheering them on.

  7. See you Sunday.

    Join AYO

Explore AYO

  1. I Our OrchestrasFive orchestras, from a first string orchestra to the full symphony.
  2. II Special ProgramsAnnual Concerto Competition, masterclasses, and more.
  3. III Leadership & StaffMeet the artistic leaders, conductors, and staff behind AYO.
  4. IV Our HistoryMore than 50 years of young musicians on Austin stages.

Family Resources

Current Families hub

Family PortalPayments, forms, and financial aid Report an absenceAt least one week ahead Season calendarRehearsals, concerts, breaks Handbook2026–27 policies and dress (PDF)

Support AYO

Gifts to the AYO Annual Fund go where they’re needed most: financial aid, free concerts, and coaching for every section.

The AYO Annual Fund

Give securely online through Givebutter. Every gift, at any size, supports young musicians across Central Texas.

Give to AYO
Other ways to give

Austin Youth Orchestra Academy is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit. Gifts are tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law.

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A young cellist concentrates during rehearsal An AYO harpist rehearses Flutists in rehearsal A percussionist plays timpani A cellist performs in concert Violinists rehearse together

Rehearsal moments, concert days, and behind-the-scenes photos all season long.