Philharmonic
Conductor Paxson Amy leads students through a deep exploration of major symphonic repertoire and the music’s historical context. With a focus on developing individual musicianship that drives the orchestra’s collective success, Philharmonic builds students’ lifelong appreciation of music and desire to strive for excellence. With five annual concerts, including two at Orchestra Hall, Philharmonic attracts the area’s leading high school musicians. String players in Philharmonic have an average of 7 to 10 years of experience and winds/brass/percussion students have typically been playing their instruments for 5 to 8 years. Special artistic projects, sectionals, retreats, and social activities provide a well-rounded and transformative 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 Paxson Amy, horn player and passionate conductor studying under Artistic Director Mark Russell Smith at the University of Minnesota
- Perform at 5 exciting concerts—2 at Orchestra Hall, and 3 community performances around the Twin Cities
- Master spectacular repertoire that challenges and inspires, including Aaron Copland’s Billy the Kid: Ballet-Suite, Robert Schumann’s Symphony No. 4, and Samuel Coleridge-Taylor’s Overture to the Song of Hiawatha.
- 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
Philharmonic Schedule
Virtual Kick-Off Meeting
- Tuesday, September 1, 7:30pm–8:30pm
Rehearsals
- Tuesdays, 6:45–9:15pm at Westminster Presbyterian Church in Minneapolis beginning on September 8.
Retreats
- Fall: Saturday, September 19 at Ted Mann Concert Hall
- Winter: Saturday, January 16 at Ted Mann Concert Hall
Concerts
- Fall Festival: Saturday, November 14 at Orchestra Hall
- Symphony Series Concert with Philharmonic: Wednesday, December 16, 7:00pm at East Ridge High School, Woodbury
- Midwinter Concert: Sunday, February 28 at St. Andrew’s Mahtomedi
- Showcase Concert: April 24 or 25, time and location TBD
- Spring Festival: Sunday, May 9 at Orchestra Hall
Full online calendars will be shared after enrollment.
Tuition & Assistance
Philharmonic Tuition: $1,525 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 ($169.44 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 $915.
Watch a Philharmonic Performance
Enjoy their live performance of Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov’s Scheherazade, Op. 35, IV. Festival at Baghdad. Allegro molto at Orchestra Hall