Who are we?
Skill level: Advanced
Designed for students who have roughly 4-5 years of experience, NVYO offers an exciting chance to perform in a more advanced orchestral setting. NVYO helps high-school aged players to develop the nuances of technique and musicianship. Upper strings must have experience with shifting to 3rd and 5th positions; lower strings must be acquainted with shifting to thumb position. Regional orchestra audition experience is highly encouraged.
Director
Chuck Stewart earned a Master of Music degree in Orchestral Conducting from Ball State University where he studied with Douglas Droste. He studied conducting further at the Pierre Monteux School and Music Festival, and with renowned conductors and pedagogues such as Gerard Schwartz, Larry Livingston, Donald Schleicher, Victor Yampolsky, Gary Lewis, Markand Thakar, and Michael Jinbo. Stewart holds Bachelors’ degrees in both Music Education and Music Performance from Oklahoma State University.
Stewart is currently the Director of Orchestras at BASIS Phoenix, and serves as a regular guest conductor with the Chandler Symphony Orchestra and the Scottsdale Symphonic Orchestra. Stewart previously served as Assistant Conductor of the Muncie Symphony Orchestra in Muncie, Indiana, Music Director and Conductor of the East Central Indiana Chamber Orchestra, Music Director and Conductor of the Youth Orchestras of East Central Indiana, Graduate Assistant Conductor of the Ball State Symphony Orchestra, Conductor of the Ball State Campus Orchestra, and Music Director of the Ball State Pocket Opera.
Originally from Oklahoma, Stewart and his wife, Karen, currently live in Gilbert with their son, Gavin, and dog, CJ.
Join Us
If you have a passion to perform great music, can meet weekly for rehearsals, are willing to commit to the necessary practice, and want to have fun playing music with your friends, then we want you in our North Valley Youth Orchestra!
We offer a "ladder up" for young musicians. There are no limits! NVSO provides students the ability to progress from North Valley Symphonettes, to North Valley Youth Strings, and then to North Valley Youth Orchestra. Some students even choose to audition for the NVSO Adult Orchestra. See our current members at the NVSO Youth Ensembles page.
New Key Dates
July 15 - 19 - Summer Strings Camp
August 15 - Deadline for Early Bird Registration (10% Discount)
September 8 - Fall Semester Rehearsals Begin
December 6 - Youth Ensembles Winter Concert
January 26, 2026 - Spring Semester Begins
May 9, 2026 - Youth Ensembles Spring Concert
+Rehearsals and at Home Practice
Attend weekly live rehearsals with ensemble directors, which include rehearsals of assigned music, and lessons in technique and music appreciation. Rehearsals are held from 5:00 - 6:30 on Mondays.
The rehearsal venue is: Shiloh Community Church, 19021 N 32nd St, Phoenix, AZ 85050
+Concerts
North Valley Youth Orchestra performs at least one mandatory concert at the end of each semester. An optional “outreach concert” is sometimes scheduled for a performance in a mall setting or retirement center.
+ Tuition
- Full Season Tuition (Fall 2025 - Spring 2026) $325
- Half Season Tuition (Fall 2025 or Spring 2026) $170
- Sibling discounts of $100 ($50/half season) are offered for each additional sibling.
- Early Bird Discount! Register for the full year by August 15th, 2025, and receive 10% off your registration (which is less than last year's tuition pricing of $295)
- Financial assistance from the LEMM scholarship fund may be available upon request.
+ Acceptance to NVYO
If you are sure NVYO is the level of ensemble you should join, simply scroll to the bottom of the page and register! During registration, simply list yourself as an "advanced" student, and we will place you in NVYO. You can always change to an easier ensemble after we begin rehearsals.
If you would like advice or more information before joining NVYO, send a note through our "Contact Us" page. In the message please provide your name, and describe your age/grade, years playing your instrument, your training and your experience. This will help us determine the correct youth ensemble for you to join.
+ Optional Video Audition
You may also upload a short video if you would like. This is optional, but may help us better know your capabilites.
Include the following Scales - play the scale once detache, and then play it slur 4, at about 60-70 BPM:
Violin - 3-Octave A major scale and arpeggio
Viola and Cello - 3-Octave D major scale and arpeggio
Contrabass - 2-Octave G major scale and arpeggio.
Include a Solo Piece from your current techniques book or a concerto you are working on. Choose something you really enjoy that shows us how well you can play!
Test your video camera to ensure good lighting and sound. Make sure your fingers and bow arm are visible. Using a smart phone or iPad camera placed on a stand about 45 degrees to your right side usually works just fine.
After you record your video, upload it using the “Upload Video Audition” button below.
During the upload, you will be asked to sign into a Google account. If you do not have a Google account, and do not wish to or need assistance in creating one, contact NVSO at youth@northvalleysymphony.org to arrange for an alternate means to upload your video.
+ Community Health & Covid 19 Protocols
Each NVSO participant is individually responsible to take the personal precautions appropriate for their specific vaccination and general health status. Students are required to not attend rehearsals and concerts if they are sick.
Secure your spot in the ensemble.
Register and pay now!!
First, please read the Youth Ensemble Handbook.
After reading the Youth Ensemble Handbook, use the button below to register. Welcome to NVSO!
If you have general questions please contact the NVSO Youth Registrar at youth@northvalleysymphony.org or call 623-980-4628
Questions about the ensemble are best answered by the
North Valley Youth Orchestra Director, Mr. Chuck Stewart at: chucks@northvalleysymphony.org