10 Ways To Get Involved As A High School Music Student In The Kansas City Area

Playing in your school orchestra can be a very fulfilling experience. Still, if you want to be involved in music beyond the classroom, this article provides a list of opportunities in no specific order that you may be interested in!

It is also important to note that private lessons are very helpful when participating in any of the following extracurricular activities, as they typically involve more difficult music than is taught in school orchestras. K.C. Strings provides lists of teachers in our studio and throughout the Kansas City Area if you are interested in starting lessons–just give us a call or stop by the shop!

Heartland Chamber Music

The Heartland Chamber Music program has both a year-round program and a summer festival. Students are placed in chamber music groups with peers at similar skill levels and assigned challenging chamber music repertoire based on their auditions. They are coached by professional musicians, play in masterclasses and concerts, and last year, students in the year-round program performed on Kansas Public Radio! Full-scholarship opportunities are available for the year-round program, and the summer festival works with the Band of Angels nonprofit organization to provide financial aid for students to participate.

Learn More: www.heartlandchambermusic.org

Prairie Classical

Prairie Classical is a non-profit organization that aims to boost the mental health of its participants and audience. It provides opportunities for youth to perform alongside professional musicians in chamber groups, and students have even played on Kansas Public Radio! It is completely free to participate.

Learn More: www.prairieclassical.org/about

Kansas City Youth Symphony

The Kansas City Youth Symphony (YSKC) is an opportunity for fifth through twelfth-grade students that allows them to play in higher-level orchestras and learn professional repertoire. The program features six different orchestras, and students are placed in the orchestra that will best fit their capabilities and playing style based on their audition. YSKC also has a chamber music program and elective courses for students interested in becoming more well-rounded musicians. Additionally, the program provides opportunities for students to audition for and play at solo concerts to practice managing nerves.

Learn More: www.yskc.org

Olathe Youth Symphony

The Olathe Youth Symphony comprises of two orchestral ensembles: Philharmonic and Symphony Orchestra. Students are placed in the orchestra that best fits their skill level based on their audition.

Learn More: www.olatheyouthsymphony.org/home

Northland Symphony Youth Orchestra

Students up to twelfth grade learn challenging orchestral music and play in a full orchestra ensemble (including wind, percussion, and brass instruments). All students must be in their school orchestra if it is offered.

Learn More: www.northlandsymphony.org/youth-orchestra/

Blanche Bryden Institute at Sunflower Music Festival

Students are placed in chamber groups with students of similar skill levels based on their auditions. They spend a week at Washburn University, where they are coached by professional musicians and university faculty. During evening hours, students can attend concerts featuring jazz, chamber, and orchestral music. They also get to attend masterclasses, perform in community outreach concerts, and finally perform in the university’s White Concert Hall.

Learn More: www.sunflowermusicfestival.org/institute/.

Midwestern Music Camp at the University of Kansas

Students spend four days at the University of Kansas, during which they get to participate in full ensemble rehearsals, sectionals, elective classes, and master classes with expert guest musicians. During evening hours, students participate in social activities and attend chamber performances.

Learn More: www.music.ku.edu/band/mmc

Ad Astra Chamber Orchestra of Kansas City

Ad Astra consists of two string orchestras of students from eighth through twelfth grade. 2024 is the program’s debut year. They participate in fun concerts at the Kansas City Zoo and the Chamber of Commerce as well as formal concerts. Students are required to be enrolled in their school orchestra if they are attending a school that has one.

Learn More: www.adastrakc.org

Solo and Ensemble Festival

The Solo and Ensemble Festival occurs each year in the spring and is free for middle and high school students to participate in. Students prepare a piece of music and perform for an experienced judge, who gives them a rating and suggestions to improve their performance of the piece. Talk to your orchestra teacher about signing up!

Learn More: www.ksmea.org/resources/kshsaa/

Kansas City Young Chamber Musicians

Students ages thirteen through eighteen work with students of similar ages and skill levels in a small ensemble. The ensembles are coached by professional musicians for eleven weeks, during which they prepare a piece to perform in a final concert.

Learn More: www.kcycm.org/calendar