FOOSA SYMPHONY PROGRAM

Conductor, Charles Latshaw
Repertoire 2025: Coming Soon

NEW! We are excited to announce the FOOSA Symphony, a new program for 2025. This program is designed for middle, high school, and college musicians who are serious about expanding their orchestral experience. Participants will have the opportunity to engage with standard orchestral repertoire while also exploring chamber music.

The FOOSA Symphony will incorporate a full range of orchestral instruments, including winds, brass, harp, and percussion. Musicians will not only play in an orchestra but also enjoy chamber music opportunities. They will perform side by side with faculty members, gaining valuable mentorship and insight.

The program culminates with an exciting concert at the Fresno State Concert Hall, showcasing the talents and hard work of the FOOSA Symphony. This new initiative promises to offer unparalleled growth for participants, both as performers and as mentors in the musical community.

Musicians accepted into this program enjoy

  • Daily sectional lessons/chamber music

  • Daily orchestra rehearsals

  • Recital opportunities

  • Masterclasses

  • Concert at Fresno State Concert Hall

Tuition and Fees

  • Audition fee: $75

  • Tuition: $950

  • Dorm (if applicable): $600

  • Total tuition + audition = $1,025

  • Total tuition + audition + dorm = $1,625

  • Non-refundable registration (if accepted): $250

Audition & Application Information

Instrumentation

Please take note of the following instrumentation requirements: violin, viola, cello, double bass, flute/piccolo, oboe/English horn, clarinet/bass clarinet/e-flat clarinet, bassoon/contra, horn, trumpet, trombone/bass trombone, tuba, timpani, percussion, and harp. We will be accepting applications on a rolling basis until all positions are filled.

Please note that the following is required for FOOSA Symphony:

  • A major or minor scale of your choice showing the range of your instrument

  • Two contrasting pieces or movements (no more than 10 minutes)

  • Auditions do not have to be accompanied.

The deadline for priority consideration is March 15, 2025. If additional instrumentalists are needed, rolling admissions will continue until all positions are filled.

Merit Scholarships for students

Merit scholarships are available for any student who qualifies for the FOOSA Symphony. These special scholarships are for advanced players with excellent recommendations and compelling audition videos. Scholarship students will mentor the younger players in our FOOSA Chamber Orchestra.

The application deadline is March 15, 2025. To be considered for a scholarship, you must include a letter of recommendation from your major teacher or a similarly authoritative source. Scholarship students are eligible for full or partial scholarships per faculty recommendation.

Tuition Assistance

Please be reminded of the following information:

If you meet the March 15, 2025 application deadline and submit a completed Tuition Assistance Form along with all required additional materials, you may be eligible for need-based tuition assistance. Do not submit a partially completed form or a form without the accompanying materials, as incomplete applications cannot be accepted. Please submit tuition assistance forms only after you have been accepted into the program. All tuition forms must be submitted by April 4, 2025.

Applications

All applicants must submit audition videos and information via Accceptd. Click Below to start your application today.

Audition videos

Please remember the following information:

  • A major or minor scale of your choice showing the range of your instrument

  • Two contrasting pieces or movements (no more than 10 minutes)

  • Auditions do not have to be accompanied.

Instructions for doubling instruments are also available. If you encounter any difficulties uploading videos or have additional questions, please contact us at cmarchese@yoofresno.org.

FAQs for FOOSA Symphony

    • The deadline this year is March 15th for FOOSA Philharmonic and FOOSA Symphony.

    • Notifications of acceptance will go out by March 25th

    • All applications for tuition assistance must be submitted by April 4th

    • Registration accompanied by a non-refundable $250 deposit must be submitted by April 15th.

    • May 15th Tuition payments in full

    • Fellowships are only given to a limited number of graduate level students and the request must be accompanied by a teacher recommendation.

    • The deadline for Early bird registration for the FOOSA Chamber Orchestra is April 15 with a final deadline of June 1st for all applications.

    • March 15 Audition deadline

    • March 25 Acceptance announcements

    • April 4 Tuition assistance applications are due

    • April 11 Notices to students of scholarship awards/tuition assistance

    • April 18 Non-refundable registration fee $250 due

    • May 15 Tuition balance is due

    • June 14 Travel Day/Dorms open

    • June 15 Registration, Seating Auditions and Opening Day Reception