Black
Hills
Youth
Orchestra

The BHYO is always taking new members! Sign up here to join! All rehearsals and lessons take place in the Minneluzahan Senior Center at 315 N 4th Street in Rapid City, SD.

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Private Lesson/Academy Hour

Meeting time: Tuesdays, 3:30-4:30pm

In this block, students can receive free musical training from BHYO teaching staff in the form of individual or small group lessons.  Students may also receive non-musical mentorship in the form of career planning advice, assistance with college/scholarship/job applications, and homework help and tutoring. The BHYO has established partnerships with numerous organizations throughout the community to assist with a variety of challenges our students may face (transportation, food security, counseling services, etc). All of this comes from from vetted, background-checked BHYO staff and volunteers or our partnering agencies.

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Beginning Ensemble

Meeting time: Tuesdays, 4:30-5:15pm

The Beginning Ensemble includes students from 2nd-6th grades (and some adult beginners) who have been playing their instrument for 0-3 years. It focuses on the fundamentals of playing a string instrument, note reading, and rehearsing and performing with an ensemble. No audition is required to play in the Beginning Ensemble. 

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​Intermediate Ensemble

Meeting time: Tuesdays, 5:20-6:20

The Intermediate Ensemble includes students in 5th-9th grades who have been playing their instrument for approximately 3-6 years. This group focuses on refining the skills of playing string instrument in an ensemble. The Intermediate Ensemble performs repertoire that includes challenges like shifting and more advanced bow strokes and finger patterns. 

 

​Advanced Ensemble

Meeting Time: 6:30-7:45 

The Advanced Ensemble includes students in 8th-12th grades who have been playing their instrument for roughly 6 or more years. It performs new works and masterpieces from the standard orchestral repertoire at a highly proficient level. Members are selected through audition. (See audition information below.)