Youth Ensemble SigN up Form

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Name*

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Email*

Phone*

Zip Code*

Date of Birth*

Current School*

I am interested in:

Composing/Conducting with the Youth Ensemble Concert

Playing in the Youth Ensemble

Workshops with Festival Musicians

I play these instruments:

I have played these instruments for ____ years:

I would describe myself as a:

(All ability levels and backgrounds are welcome!)

Fan of music but not a musician

Beginner musician

Intermediate musician

Advanced musician

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I heard about the Youth Program from:

Health and Safety*

I have read and accept the Festival health and safety protocols

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Youth Ensemble Program

A unique music experience for young adults (age 16-24)

Cabrillo Festival’s Youth Ensemble (previously Student Staff Program) provides young adults age 16-24 with invaluable experience in concert planning, preparation, and performance, and unmatched access to world-class contemporary music artists. Led by two peer Youth Ensemble Co-Directors, students can engage in many ways– by curating, composing, and performing a chamber concert of their own works on the venerated stage of the Cabrillo Festival– America’s first and preeminent Festival dedicated to new orchestral music.

Available to all backgrounds and levels, participants get wide access to the Festival experience including front-of-house experience– ushering at all concerts, access to all open rehearsals including an “inside-the-orchestra” experience, coaching by select Festival artists, and more.

2025 season sign up deadline is MAY 31st!

Videography: Karla Hutton

During the Festival, Resident Conductor Octavio Más-Arocas, guest composers, and orchestra members will be available to coach the Youth Ensemble and provide stimulating workshops with orchestra members covering professional development and career guidance. The program culminates with the Youth Ensemble Concert, a program of contemporary chamber music including original chamber works written by Ensemble participants at the Santa Cruz Civic Auditorium during the Festival season!

Program highlights include:

Free workshops and discussions with world-class artists
Composition coaching sessions with program and Festival directors
Opportunity to compose, perform, and/or conduct for the Youth Ensemble concert (Sat., Aug 9)
Inside-the-orchestra experience
Free admission to Cabrillo Festival performances as ushers
A variety of fun social events during the two week Festival season

Program requirements:

Open to participants age 16-24
Participants must arrange for own housing and travel
Must attend two mandatory orientations (Saturday June 7 at 10:30am [held virtually] and Saturday July 26 at 10:30am [in person])
Must usher four Cabrillo Festival evening concerts for the 2025 season (August 1, 2, 9, 10) and one afternoon concert (August 3)
Ensemble rehearsal commitments begin July 26th and occur 5-6 days per week for 2-3 hrs over the course of the two week season. Rehearsal schedule will be determined once ensemble instrumentation is confirmed.

If you would like to join the Youth Ensemble, please use the provided interest form or call 831.426.6966. View/download a flyer about the program here. The 2025 season will run July 26-August 10.

*Health and Safety PROTOCOLS

Cabrillo Festival will follow national guidelines for safety, and reserves the right to implement or change protocols at any time based on recommendations and mandates issued by health officials and city, county, state, and federal authorities and agencies. Protocols may or may not include: testing, vaccination, masking, social distancing, hand and equipment sanitation, or other safety measures