TBSYO
Thunder Bay Symphony Youth Orchestra
2025–2026 SEASON
Join the Thunder Bay Symphony Youth Orchestra! The Thunder Bay Symphony Youth Orchestra and Junior Strings are Thunder Bay’s premier classical music development programs for children and youth in Thunder Bay. We are looking for experienced school-aged and youth musicians to join our programs which run from late September to early May.
The Youth Orchestra, directed by Thomas Cosbey, offers a venue for talented young musicians to expand their knowledge, collaborate with their peers, contribute to our cultural community, and build life-long friendships. It is geared at students age twelve to twenty-four. The orchestra performs in two main concerts per year, one in December and one in early May. Weekly rehearsals take place at Trinity United Church on Tuesdays from 5:00 to 7:00 pm.
The Junior Strings, directed by Michelle Zapf-Bélanger offers a first orchestral experience to young violinists, violists, and cellists. Students work on the fundamentals of ensemble playing and etiquette. It is geared at students eight to fourteen who are taking lessons and who have acquired basic music reading skills. Weekly rehearsals take place at Trinity United Church on Tuesdays from 5:00 to 6:00 pm.
| Table of Contents | |
|---|---|
| Join | Book your audition for Youth Orchestra and Junior Strings |
| Schedule | The 2025-2026 Schedule |
| PA Days | PA Days Programming |
| Scholars Program | Become a Bassoon or Oboe Scholar! |
| The Key | Our ad in The Key |
| Donate | Help support this organizaton |
| About | About the TBSYO |
| Board Members | Memebers of the Board |
Join
Thunder Bay Symphony Youth Orchestra
2025–2026 SEASON
Join the Thunder Bay Symphony Youth Orchestra! The Thunder Bay Symphony Youth Orchestra and Junior Strings are Thunder Bay’s premier classical music development programs for children and youth in Thunder Bay. We are looking for experienced school-aged and youth musicians to join our programs which run from late September to early May.
The Youth Orchestra, directed by Thomas Cosbey, offers a venue for talented young musicians to expand their knowledge, collaborate with their peers, contribute to our cultural community, and build life-long friendships. It is geared at students age twelve to twenty-four. The orchestra performs in two main concerts per year, one in December and one in early May. Weekly rehearsals take place at Trinity United Church on Tuesdays from 5:00 to 7:00 pm.
The Junior Strings, directed by Michelle Zapf-Bélanger offers a first orchestral experience to young violinists, violists, and cellists. Students work on the fundamentals of ensemble playing and etiquette. It is geared at students eight to fourteen who are taking lessons and who have acquired basic music reading skills. Weekly rehearsals take place at Trinity United Church on Tuesdays from 5:00 to 6:00 pm.
| Important Dates | |
|---|---|
| Book Your Audition | Deadline: September 20, 2025 |
| Auditions | Tuesday, September 23, 2025 |
| First Rehearsal & Registration | Tuesday, September 30, 2025 |
How to Join
To join either Youth Orchestra and Junior Strings, students perform a brief audition.
Book your audition by filling out the TBSYO Audition Booking 2025-2026 Google form. Deadline to book is September 20.
Regular Auditions take place on Tuesday, September 23, 2025 from 4:00–7:00 pm at Trinity United Church. Students are asked to present one scale and one piece of their choice. We recommend selecting something that you know well and feels comfortable to play, but also is representative of current playing abilities. You can check the Audition Schedule to see what time slots are available.
Late Auditions take place on Tuesday, October 7, 2025 from 4:00–5:00 pm at Trinity United Church. Contact director Thomas Cosbey, at 807-251-5877, to book an audition or for more information.
Who Should Join
Youth Orchestra
- Ages: 12–24
- Instruments: violin, viola, cello, bass, flute, oboe, clarinet, bassoon, horn, trumpet, trombone, tuba, timpani, percussion, & harp
- Level: Recommended Level 5 RCM or equivalent.
- Lessons: We strongly recommend that Youth Orchestra members take private music lessons. We are happy to help connect students with local teachers.
Junior Strings
- Ages: 8–14
- Instruments: violin, viola, & cello.
- Level: Suzuki book 2 or equivalent. Basic music reading skills.
Fees
- Youth Orchestra tuition: $300
- Junior Strings tuition: $250
We are proud to offer financial support to cover the tuition of students with financial need. To apply, please contact Graham Matheson at counciloftrees@gmail.com.
Schedule & Information
- Tentative Schedule (web) | TBSYO 2025-2026 Tentative Schedule.pdf (PDF)
- TBSYO 2025-2026 Policies & Expectations.pdf
Schedule
2025–2026 SEASON
Rehearsals take place at Trinity United church on Tuesdays from 5:00 to 7:00 pm (Junior Strings finish at 6:00 pm) unless otherwise indicated. Students are expected to arrive at 4:45 pm to set up chairs and stands, and to get tuned and warmed up. Students are also expected to help reset the room following rehearsals.
| First Semester | |
|---|---|
| Sept 20 | Deadline to Book Your Audition |
| Sept 23 | Auditions |
| Sept 30 | First Rehearsal & Registration Day |
| Oct 7 | Rehearsal & Late Auditions |
| Oct 14 | |
| Oct 21 | |
| Oct 28 | |
| Nov 4 | |
| Nov 11 | |
| Nov 18 | |
| Nov 25 | |
| Dec 2 | |
| Dec 9 | |
| Dec 16 |
CONCERT — To Be Confirmed
Hilldale Lutheran Church:
Sat, Dec 13 14 pm — Dress Rehearsal
Sun, Dec 14, 1:003:30 pm — Rehearsal
♫ Dec 14 Concert: In the Spirit!
admission by donation
| Second Semester | |
|---|---|
| Jan 6 | |
| Jan 13 | |
| Jan 20 | |
| Jan 27 | |
| Feb 1 | ♫ Concerto Competition — 2:00 - 4:00 pm |
| Feb 3 | |
| Feb 10 | |
| Feb 17 | |
| Feb 24 | |
| TBA | ♫ Junior Strings Staycation |
| Mar 3 | |
| Mar 10 | |
| (No Rehearsal, March Break) | |
| Mar 24 | |
| Mar 31 | |
| Apr 7 | |
| Apr 14 | |
| Apr 21 | |
| Apr 28 |
CONCERT — To Be Confirmed
Hilldale Lutheran Church:
Sat, May 2 1-4 pm — Dress Rehearsal
Sun, May 3, 1:00-3:30 pm — Rehearsal
♫ Sunday, May 4, 4:00 pm — Concert
collaboration with Community Orchestra
admission by donation
Scholars Program
Oboe & Bassoon Scholars
The Thunder Bay Symphony Youth Orchestra is endeavouring to help young students get started on double reed instruments. Through our Oboe and Bassoon Scholars programmes we help young students get started on Oboe and Bassoon by providing instruments and connecting them with private instructors. Students interested in starting on Oboe or Bassoon should contact us to apply.
The Key
THUNDER BAY SYMPHONY YOUTH ORCHESTRA
2025–2026 SEASON
Join the Thunder Bay Symphony Youth Orchestra! The Thunder Bay Symphony Youth Orchestra and Junior Strings are Thunder Bay’s premier classical music development programs for children and youth in Thunder Bay. We are looking for experienced school-aged and youth musicians to join our programs which run from late September to early May.
🎻 Junior Strings (ages 8-14) String instruments only! Violin, viola, cello! Rehearsals: Tuesdays 5-6 pm at Trinity United Church Tuition: $250
🎺 Youth Orchestra (ages 12-24) Calling all orchestral instruments! Strings, woodwinds, brass, percussion! Rehearsals: Tuesdays 5-7 pm at Trinity United Church Tuition: $300
Please book your audition by September 20 We are proud to offer financial support to cover the tuition of students with financial need. See our website for details.
🥳 PA Day Programming — Open to non-members! We are offering PA Day programming, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on the following Fridays: September 26, November 14, February 27, and May 1.
🎶 Level Up PA Days — Grades 6 to 12 — own instrument required Do you have an instrument at home? Play in the school band? Come spend the day levelling up your playing with professional musicians from the Thunder Bay Symphony Orchestra!
🥁 Discover Music PA Days — Grades 4 to 8 — no instrument required Do you want to see what playing an instrument is like? Come and spend the day trying your hand at different instruments and uncover your hidden talent!
Donate
We couldn’t keep offering the high quality and affordable programming that we love without the generous support of our patrons. If you are able to support us, donations can be made online through Canada Helps, in the mail to the address below, and in person at any TBSYO event. Thank you for helping us do what we do!
About the TBSYO
Thunder Bay Symphony Youth Orchestra
P.O. Box 33044, Red River P.O.
Thunder Bay, ON P7B 0B1
Charitable Registration:
#89177 5918 RR 001