The Hernando Youth Orchestra Inc., a non-profit Florida Corporation, was formed in the summer of 2007. We aim to meet the needs of the community by providing an orchestra for young people and help find music scholarships for youth who cannot afford an instrument and/or lessons to participate.
Membership is open to anyone under the age of 18 provided they have some level of proficiency on their chosen instrument. Students who are learning Minuet No. 3 in Suzuki Book #1 have the proficiency required to participate. In order to encourage all to participate, no audition is required for the main orchestra. Students desiring more advanced work have the opportunity to participate in a string quartet which does require an audition.
Since it's foundation, the HYO has performed three free concerts, one for the city of Brooksville, a Christmas concert for Hernando county's "Bandshell Bash" and one for the Hernando Fine Art Council's "Art in the Park".
The orchestra is now funded by grants, community organizations and individual sponsors, thus fee collections from youth orchestra members are no longer required.
The Orchestra meets most saturday mornings at 10.30 am for rehearsals.
