Dear Parents,
APYO had a wonderful Fall term breaking ground exploring innovative and creative ways of virtual music learning! We are excited at the prospects of continuing our Virtual APYO program in 2021 with more ways to engage in a community of virtual music learners!

APYO will continue meeting on Monday nights, on Zoom, for a 10-week session. Our first classes will be held Monday, January 25, 2021, beginning at 6:30pm.
We will have a live Zoom orientation on Monday, January 18 at 6:30pm. Please plan to attend.

We are exploring the possibility of offering some classes on Saturdays, so please note the survey questions on your registration regarding schedules.

Students will attend up to 3 virtual classes every Monday night. Younger or beginning students may want to opt for just 1 or 2 classes. Chamber Ensembles will be offered as an elective, to maximize the participation on Bandlab projects.  Our CORE classes will add to their competence and understanding through a Reading/Theory Class and a Technique/Expression Class. For students choosing 3 classes, they may take an additional CORE class, or may choose an Elective. Electives may vary, but will include: Conducting, Music Composition & Technology, "Not Your Father's" Music History, Music Time Traveler, Rhythm & Body Percussion, Improvisation, and others may be offered in the future.

A typical Monday schedule could resemble this:
6:20 - Log on to Zoom for Warm-up & Check In to Breakout Rooms
6:30 - Reading & Theory (at appropriate level)
6:55 - Return to Main Room
7:00 - Chamber Rehearsal using Bandlab
7:25 - Return to Main Room - Beginning students may be dismissed
7:30 - Elective - Composition (for example)
8:00 - Classes End - Parent Session (15 minutes)

There are so many advantages to having a Virtual Youth Orchestra! You will only travel as far as your computer (but stay close to the router)! We can serve students living ANYWHERE and will also bring guest teachers from around the world into the APYO Classrooms. We are making plans to invite students and teachers to participate from the entire state of Arkansas and surrounding states, with a vision for the future of Youth Orchestra that has never been seen here.

We are expanding our partnership with NAfME (National Association for Music Education) members and faculty at the University of Arkansas to bring more innovation to the use of technology for teaching music and orchestra. All courses will be taught and overseen by expert teachers and musicians. Please see the APO website for more detail and bios of our excellent staff who have been growing APYO for several years.

Please complete this Registration and make a placement video! This is NOT an Audition. We want to hear each student play so we will know how and where they fit into classes, but the pressure of Auditions for placement is GONE. We want every student to feel included and welcome! Rehearsals begin Monday, September 28 from 6:30-8:00pm. You will receive a schedule of virtual rehearsals and group instruction by January 22.  

We are thrilled to have you  join us!