The Chamber Orchestra is one of the San Jose Youth Symphony’s premiere ensembles alongside the Philharmonic Orchestra. It is for musicians of high school age at the advanced musical level. Rehearsals will focus on the full orchestra as well as small chamber music groups coached by professional musicians. Our goal is to involve as many Chamber Orchestra musicians as possible in small chamber music groups in addition to the full orchestra. Master classes will be presented during the season by leading musicians in the Bay Area.
Artistic Requirements
Musicians must meet these artistic requirements in order to be accepted into the Chamber Orchestra.
2025 – 2026 Season Repertoire
First Concert – January 24, 2026 at 5 pm, McAfee Performing Arts Center, 20300 Herriman Avenue, Saratoga
- Cimarosa – Il Matrimonio Segreto Overture
- Mozart – Clarinet Concerto in A Major
Daris Khajouei, clarinet - Weber – Andante & Rondo Ungarese for Bassoon and Orchestra
Kimoon Bae, bassoon - Cherubini – Symphony in D Major
Second Concert – May 16, 2026, 5 pm, McAfee Performing Arts Center, Saratoga
- J. C. Bach– Sinfonia in B-flat major
- Mozart – Violin Concerto No. 5 in A Major
Vyom Shukla, violin - Schubert – Die Zuillingsbrüder Overture
- Weber – Clarinet Concertino in E-flat major, Op. 26
Woobin Jang, clarinet
Chamber Orchestra – A Successful Season
The Chamber Orchestra finished their thirteenth season with their Season Finale at the Hammer Theatre. The program was extensive and included small group performances and orchestral pieces.
ConcertsChamber music is often described as “the music of friends.” A spirit of collaboration is at the heart of this art form as each musician is engaged in an intimate musical dialogue with the other performers. Some of history’s greatest composers viewed chamber music as a vehicle to create their most profound and important works.
Chamber music is an essential component of music education and it helps tremendously in developing ensemble playing skills. A chamber orchestra is typically comprised of 30-40 musicians. Unlike a full orchestra, the parts (with the exception of strings) are not doubled and this unique instrumentation allows the individual musician to stand out.
The Chamber Orchestra will perform two concerts every season. Programs will include chamber orchestra works as well as music written for small chamber groups. Musicians will have many opportunities to perform solo parts. Concert admission is $10 for adults; $5 for students and seniors; and free for kids under 5.
Rehearsals
Rehearsals for the Chamber Orchestra are held every Sunday from 3:00 – 6:00 PM at Los Gatos United Methodist Church (LGUMC) (details)
Sectionals
In every concert set musicians will receive up to two sectionals coaching by leading professional musicians from the area. Approximately every few weeks the orchestra will be divided into small groups and professional musicians will assist SJYS members to perform the assigned music and develop their musicianship.
Seating Auditions
In addition, at the start of the 2nd set, the orchestra musicians will take part in seating auditions, heard by outside judges (professional musicians) who will hear each musician play individually and rank them according to their preparedness of the repertoire, technique and musicality. The seating auditions are held anonymously to ensure complete fairness.
The seating auditions for the 1st Set take place at the overnight summer camp that takes prior to the start of the season and are heard by the conductor. Unlike the seating auditions held during the season, those held at camp are not held anonymously, but provide the opportunity for the conductor to get to know each student’s playing on an individual basis.
Make-ups are not permitted for missed seating auditions, for the reasons of accuracy and fairness to the other students who participate.
Tour Opportunity
Some members of the Chamber Orchestra might be invited to perform in Philharmonic Orchestra concerts, as well as participate in international tours depending on the spots available.