Concertino West
Conductor Dan Mollick applies his passion as an educator and classical musician to create a challenging experience for students. Concertino West students their musicianship to the next level by focusing on technical skills, excellence, and teamwork. String players have an average of 4 to 7 years of experience and wind/brass/percussion students have have an average of 1 to 4 years of experience. Special artistic projects, sectionals, retreats, and social activities provide a well-rounded experience which develops students’ musical, leadership, and lifelong skills.
2026–27 Highlights
Here’s a glimpse of what’s ahead:
- Rehearse weekly from September through mid-May with Dan Mollick, cellist and award-winning orchestra director
- Perform at 5 exciting concerts—2 at Orchestra Hall and 3 community performances around the Twin Cities
- Explore a wide variety of challenging music, including special collaborations with local artists and other GTCYS orchestras
- Learn from professional musicians during sectionals, with special seminars for brass, woodwinds, and percussion
- Make friends from across the region through 2 half-day retreats, social activities like treat nights, and optional bonus activities like chamber music and Student Leadership Team
Concertino West Schedule
Concertino West rehearses weekly on Mondays from 6:45–8:30pm in Edina beginning on September 14.
Virtual Kick-Off Meeting
- Thursday, September 10, 6:30–7:30pm
Rehearsals
- Mondays, 6:45–8:30pm at Good Samaritan UMC in Edina
Retreats
- Fall: Sunday, September 27 at YMCA Camp St. Croix, 10:00am–3:00pm (transportation available)
- Winter: January 23 or 24, time and location TBD
Concerts
- Fall Festival: Sunday, November 15 at Orchestra Hall
- Connection Concert: Saturday, December 12, Location TBD
- Midwinter Concert: Saturday, February 27 at Hopkins HS
- Connection Concert: Friday, April 16 School Tour (all day)
- Spring Festival: Sunday, May 9 at Orchestra Hall
Full online calendars will be shared after enrollment.
Tuition & Assistance
Concertino West Tuition: $1,235 for the full season
- Tuition supports the full season (30+ weeks) of exceptional orchestra experiences, including rehearsals with inspiring conductors, sectionals with top-notch musicians, fall and winter retreats, performances, artistic collaborations, and more. Because GTCYS is committed to affordability and access, tuition covers about half of each student’s actual program cost, with donor support bridging the gap and providing scholarships so these opportunities are possible for all students.
Payment and tuition assistance options:
- Pay in full with a credit card through the enrollment form, or
- Set up automated monthly installments from July–March ($137.22 per month) through the enrollment form, or
- Mail a check (pay in full only) to GTCYS, 10 River Park Plaza, Suite 730, St. Paul, MN 55107, or
- Apply for tuition assistance. We are still accepting applications! Contact miranda@gtcys.org with questions.
Sibling Discount
GTCYS offers a $105 tuition discount for each additional sibling enrolled.
Prorated Tuition
Tuition for students joining in January is $745.