Student Activities

CKYO offers additional opportunities for our students to use their talents. They are all optional; please pay careful attention to who is eligible.

This mentoring program was created in 1997 to provide beginning elementary and middle school musicians with free individual and small group music lessons. The program pairs an experienced CKYO member with a young musician who would not otherwise be able to afford private lessons. The lessons are held on Tuesdays at Lexington Traditional Magnet School or on Thursdays at Brian Station Middle School. The time for both locations is 4:30 p.m. The hours spent in the program can be applied to community service programs. This is has been a wonderful and rewarding experience for many of our students each year.

Great musicians and music educators have long stressed the educational and developmental benefits of playing chamber music. Students at every conservatory in the United States are required to play chamber music as undergraduates. We are pleased to offer a weekly chamber music program to our members, coached by some of the foremost musicians in the Lexington area.

We will attempt to accommodate as many students as possible but space is limited. Forming an ensemble of committed members in advance is recommended. Rehearsals will be held on Mondays from 6:00 – 6:50 p.m. at SCFA. Additional rehearsals as determined by the individual ensembles are encouraged. Each Chamber Ensemble will receive 12 – 15 coaching sessions by an experienced chamber musician, and will be required to participate in one soiree (a performance in someone’s home), one competition, and the spring recital. A few special events will be added during the season, as students’ schedules permit. Tuition of $110 per semester will be due when you are notified of your participation.

Each year CKYO sponsors a competition for member musicians. The competition, on October 2^th, is open to all CKYO students who were members last year, though mostly Symphony Orchestra members participate. Students will receive detailed comments from a panel of distinguished judges, and three winners will have the opportunity to perform solo with one of our orchestras during the upcoming concert season.

Competition Rules and Guidelines