Make music with us
Now recruiting all instruments
We’d love to watch your talents soar! We're actively recruiting strings, woodwinds, brass, and percussion musicians now.
Our 26/27 Season starts September 14, 2026. Sign up for your audition TODAY!
If you’re brand new to Bay Phil Youth Orchestra (BPYO), discover all about our Youth Programs below.
The Bay Area’s Best Music Education Destination!
When you make a gift, you support vibrant, ongoing music education, helping us build contributing community members.
It’s no secret that arts and music programs are among the first cut from school budgets, and the Bay Phil Youth Orchestra exists to continue providing this valuable, extended education! Will you join us and help shape a better future for our young people and our world?
Any and every gift you wish to provide is appreciated. All funds collected will go to young people pursuing music education:
$50 buys an instrument for a young musician
$100 purchases a music arrangement
$250 pays for more than one instrument and rehearsal equipment
$600 buys sheet music and rentals for one ensemble for a concert series
$1,500 provides a BPYO tuition scholarship for someone who can’t afford to pursue music education. (Our focus: underserved and foster children.)
$5,000 supplies music stands for the entire orchestra*
$10,000 purchases timpani and other large percussion equipment*
*Please contact us for donations over $5000.
Matching Company donations - If your company has a matching gift program, make your donations there and increase the value of your gift! Bay Philharmonic on Benevity: 840-941638842
Give by Check: Mail to Bay Philharmonic, PO Box 104, Fremont, CA 94537
Give by Phone: Call 341.201.4206. We’re happy to process your gift over the phone.
In Memory Giving: You can give in honor or memory of a special person and remain anonymous.
Thank you for supporting music education for Bay Area youth!
Bay Philharmonic is a 501(c)3 organization: Federal Tax ID #94-1638842.
Your donation is tax-deductible to the full extent allowed by law.
Who are we?
The Bay Philharmonic Youth Orchestra (BPYO) shapes young musicians. We develop not just their musical abilities, but also their creative, collaborative, and leadership skills.
BPYO is an encouraging training ground for young musicians to discover and develop excellence through high-quality performance experiences. We help musicians develop important skills needed to become leaders in local communities: within, and beyond, musical bounds.
In addition to the youth orchestra, Bay Phil offers an opportunity to participate in small group Ensembles, with young musicians receiving additional training and performance experiences.
Merit and need-based scholarships may be available (as funds support).
Bay Philharmonic Youth Orchestra Leadership
Who leads the BPYO and Ensembles?
We are delighted to announce that Judy Lam, BPYO Director Emeritus, is continuing to direct the youth orchestra and ensembles in the 26/27 Season! She will conduct auditions year-round (as individually needed) and plan all BPYO programs and performances. (Her musical expertise and leadership experience is below.)
What makes BPYO different?
Uplifting, joyful, and fun experience
Emphasis on personal growth and musical development
Opportunity to play side-by-side with professional musicians
High-quality, cost-effective education and instruction
Judy Lam
Founder & Director Emeritus
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Judy Lam has conducted flute ensembles, chamber groups, choruses, and musicals, many of which featured her original ensemble arrangements. She has performed with Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra and the Hong Kong Youth Orchestra.
She has received coaching from Jacqueline Pullinger, MBE; Jane Loschen; Hans Jürgen Möhring, former principal flautist of the German Cologne Chamber Orchestra; and Peter Lloyd, former principal flautist of the London Symphony Orchestra. She received her music education from the University of California in Los Angeles.
Since moving to Fremont in 1990, she has been keeping a busy schedule teaching and nurturing a new generation of flautists. She is the Director of Virtuoso International Flute Ensemble, which dedicates their performances to serve the community with the gift of music. She serves as a school band consultant with the Fremont Unified School District coaching young flautists in elementary, middle, and high schools.
She is also the recipient of the 2015 Alameda County Arts Leadership Award.
Marcella Schantz
Audition Assistant & Conductor Emeritus
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Marcella Schantz graduated with honors from the University of Southern California Thornton School of Music. As a violinist, she has performed in numerous genres: orchestra, opera, ballet, shows, recording, film appearances, pop, rock, backup and more.
Marcella performs regularly with many Bay Area orchestras, including the Bay Philharmonic, Sacramento Philharmonic, Santa Cruz Symphony, West Edge Opera and other Bay Area performing ensembles. In Southern California, she performed with the Pacific Symphony Orchestra for 10 years, the Los Angeles Philharmonic New Music Group, and the Los Angeles Mozart Orchestra.
In addition to a busy teaching studio, Marcella has significant experience conducting youth orchestra ensembles and coordinating musical showcase performances.
Merna Morse
BPYO Ambassador & Liaison
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Merna Morse is a pianist, cellist, and retired Fremont Unified School Teacher who taught Social Science at Washington High School, where she served as department head.
She was one of the original cellists in the Bay Philharmonic (previously known as the Fremont Philharmonic) and continued as a member for many years.
She also had her own piano studio for some time.
Audition Preparation
For the audition, you’ll need to prepare:
Any solo piece
2 scales & (optional) chromatic scale
Be prepared to sight-read
*Audition duration is 8-10 minutes. Please arrive 15 minutes earlier to warm-up before the audition.
Rehearsal Time & Location
Weekly on Mondays | 4:30-7:30 pm
Cole Hall
2950 Washington Blvd., Fremont, CA 94539
MAP
(Auxiliary Space behind First United Methodist Church)
Audition and Rehearsal Information
Discover your musical potential and join BPYO for a golden opportunity to develop musical and life skills while showcasing your talent through performances and high-quality instruction.
Auditions are available for young musicians aged 7 to 20 and open for all instruments. Younger, talented players are also considered with a recommendation from their private instructor and/or school teacher.
Bay Phil Youth Orchestra is currently accepting new enrollments for 25/26 season!
Auditions are ongoing and can take place anytime throughout the year.
If you’re interested, click the Schedule An Audition button. We’re accepting new students who play: violin, viola, cello, bass, flute, oboe, clarinet, bassoon, saxophone, french horn, trumpet, trombone, euphonium, tuba, piano, electric bass, electric guitar, acoustic guitar or a percussion instrument. A fee of $30 is due at the time you request an audition.
We look forward to meeting you and hearing you play!
*Audition duration is 8-10 minutes. Please arrive 15 minutes earlier to warm-up before the audition.
For more information: Call 341.201.4205 | EMAIL
Ensemble Descriptions
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Virtuosi
Very Advanced Orchestra
(strings, winds & percussion)Typically 4-8 years of ongoing lessons or by teacher referral
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Bravi
Advanced Orchestra
(strings, winds & percussion)Typically 2-6 years of ongoing lessons or by teacher referral
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Melodia
Intermediate Orchestra
(strings, winds & percussion)Typically 1-3 years of ongoing lessons or by teacher referral
Melodia
Preparatory Ensemble
(Strings & Woodwinds)
In addition to the current youth orchestra programs, the BayPhil Youth Orchestra also has the Melodia Ensemble, which is for preparatory level string and woodwind players.
We meet weekly on Mondays for 1 - 1.5 hours.
Location:
First United Methodist Church
2950 Washington Blvd.
Fremont 94539
Skill Level:
Late beginning level with 1.5 + years of prior lessons.
Concurrent weekly private lessons required.
Time:
Mondays, 4:10 pm to 5:40 pm
(exception for school holidays)
To Pay by Check*
Pay by check in the amount of $650.00 (non-refundable), payable to:
Bay Philharmonic
ATTN: BPYO Melodia Program
3010 Middlefield Ave.
Fremont, CA 94539
Please note “Melodia / Student's Name”
*Complete and submit the below online application before mailing your check.
Marcella Schantz
Preparatory Ensemble Conductor
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Marcella Schantz graduated with honors from the University of Southern California Thornton School of Music. As a violinist, she has performed in numerous genres: orchestra, opera, ballet, shows, recording, film appearances, pop, rock, backup and more.
Marcella performs regularly with many Bay Area orchestras, including the Bay Philharmonic, Sacramento Philharmonic, Santa Cruz Symphony, West Edge Opera and other Bay Area performing ensembles. In Southern California, she performed with the Pacific Symphony Orchestra for 10 years, the Los Angeles Philharmonic New Music Group, and the Los Angeles Mozart Orchestra.
In addition to a busy teaching studio, Marcella has significant experience conducting youth orchestra ensembles and coordinating musical showcase performances.
The Summer Intensive Program provides training to ensure uninterrupted progress and readiness when the Fall orchestra season begins.
Young musicians aged 8 - 18 (strings, brass, winds & percussion) of all skill levels are offered opportunities to receive invaluable training, insight, and encouragement. In-person classes are conducted by our distinguished BPYO Music Director, Judy Lam.
Please provide a link in the registration form to a video recording of any major scale and a solo piece that best represents your current skill level (3 minutes maximum and an excerpt on longer solo permitted). This will give us information to place you in ensembles according to your skill.
Music assignments will be emailed to you in advance so you can prepare accordingly.
Summer Program-General Information
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Dates & Location
Date: TBD
Mon–Fri | 9 AM – NOON
2950 Washington Boulevard, Fremont
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Format
Large Ensemble & Chamber Music
Monday to Thursday - Rehearsal
Final Recital Held in June… TBD
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Register
The Registration Application will be linked when available.
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Program Tuition
$650
Payment link will be added when available.
Bay Phil Youth Orchestra Internship Program
Community Service Hours available
BPYO high schoolers receive priority when signing up for the Bay Philharmonic Internship program. Interns will volunteer under the direction of the Music Director for ushering at concerts and office assistance.
You will earn community service credit for your volunteer hours and depending on the quantity of volunteer hours and the quality of your services, Letters of Recommendation for college applications may be offered.
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Practice Buddies
To assist members as practice buddies via zoom. (Open to advanced musicians only)
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Audio/Visual Tech Support
To compile videos for virtual performances.
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Ushers/Stage Hands
To assist with ushering and stage set-ups at performances.
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Bay Philharmonic Office
Assistance dates/hours: TBD
The Bay Phil Youth Orchestra (BPYO) Summer Ensemble Program the week of July 22-26 was a wonderful experience for the young musicians, culminating with a fantastic concert!