If you have questions about joining a String Ensemble and/or Chamber Group, please contact Chloe Tantowi.
The VSO School of Music’s youth string ensembles are a uniquely supportive and friendly space for young people to build ensemble skills, challenge themselves musically, and experience unforgettable performance, masterclass, coaching and social opportunities. The ensembles are known as much for their jovial camaraderie as their commitment to excellence.
String ensembles meet weekly on Saturdays to rehearse a variety of music including specialized arrangements tailored to each group’s level. They enjoy an array of opportunities, including side-by-side and pre-concert appearances with the VSO; masterclasses with international guest artists; concerts in the Orpheum Theatre and other celebrated venues around Vancouver; collaborations with the VSO School’s jazz and world music departments; coachings with VSO principal players; weekend intensive retreats and much more.
Ensemble Levels
- Preludio: RCM level 2-5, Suzuki book 2-4
- Intermezzo: RCM level 6-8, Suzuki book 5-7. Ages 9-13
- Concertante: RCM level 6-8, Suzuki book 5-7. Ages 11-16
- Sinfonietta: RCM level 9 (advanced) – ARCT. Suzuki book 7-10
Please note that these levels are guidelines only. There will be some overlapping and/or exceptions.
Youth String Ensemble rehearsal times and dates (2025-2026)
All rehearsals take place on Saturdays. There are no rehearsals during October 11 (Thanksgiving) Winter & Spring Breaks.
- Fall term: September 20 – December 13
- Winter term: January 10 – March 14
- Spring term: April 4 – June 6
| Preludio | Saturdays, 2:30-4:00pm | $695 |
| Intermezzo | Saturdays, 12:45-2:15pm | $775 |
| Concertante | Saturdays, 4:15-5:45pm | $775 |
| Sinfonietta | Saturdays, 9:15-11:15am | $945 |
Instructor for Intermezzo & Sinfonietta is Carla Birston; Nadia Petriw for Preludio & Concertante.
Youth String Ensemble Performance dates
- Tuesday, December 2, 2025
- Thursday, June 11, 2026
Camp Elphinstone Strings Retreat
All students in the youth strings ensembles will be participating in an overnight strings retreat to YMCA Camp Elphinstone on the Sunshine Coast from Friday April 17 to Sunday April 19, 2026. More information on the schedule will be sent to parents in November 2025.
This program is part of The Tovey Centre for Music
