Youth Honors Orchestras
YHO: String Orchestras and Musical Leadership Training
Contact: Hillary Harder, Program Director: yho@goshen.edu or (574) 535-7341.
Youth Honors Orchestras offers two string orchestras and a paid internship program for Elkhart County youth in grades 6-12. YHO consists of weekly rehearsals, 3-4 concerts per year, and a unique focus on peer mentorship and musical excellence in a collaborative, multi-age environment. *Note: students must be members of their school orchestra in order to be eligible for YHO.
YHO Program Offerings
YHO Concert Orchestra
Accessible, multi-level string orchestra
Rehearses Tuesdays, 6:30-7:30 pm
Open to grades 6-12
YHO Symphony Orchestra
Advanced string orchestra
Rehearses Sundays, 2:00-3:30 pm
Open to grades 6-12 *but likely to include mostly high school musicians
YHO Internship Program
Paid internship for YHO members 16 years or older
Hours tailored to fit each interns’ schedule
Interns work with the ECoSistema music program at the Boys & Girls Club of Goshen
Fall 2025 Auditions
- Sunday, August 24, 2025 1:00-4:00 pm
- Tuesday, August 26, 2025 6:00-8:00 pm
- Tuesday, September 2, 7:30-8:30 pm
*New YHO members must complete an audition in order to register.
*Continuing YHO members do not have to re-audition unless they want to move up into YHO Symphony Orchestra. To stay in YHO Concert Orchestra, simply click here to register for YHO next year.
*Auditions and interviews for the YHO Internship take place separately in late July. Please scroll down for more information.
How to Audition:
- Click the Audition Sign-Up link below. Sign up for one 5-minute time block.
- Prepare for your audition by checking the audition requirements (below).
- Arrive 5-10 minutes early for your audition at the Goshen College Music Center. Both parents and students should come inside, and visit the check-in table for instructions.
- You will be notified of your audition results within one week.
Audition Requirements:
- A 2-octave scale of your choice (3-octave scale to be considered for YHO Symphony Orchestra).
- Two minutes of a solo or piece from your school orchestra.
- Brief sight-reading passage provided by the director.
*See below for instructions on how to audition and interview for a paid YHO internship position.
YHO Key Dates 2025-2026
Fall 2025
- Sunday, August 31: First YHO Symphony Orchestra rehearsal
- Tuesday, September 2: First YHO Concert Orchestra rehearsal
- Wednesday, October 1: Fall registration deadline
- Saturday, November 1: YHO side-by-side with the Goshen College Symphony Orchestra – 7:30 pm in Sauder Concert Hall
- Tuesday, November 18: YHO Fall Concert – 7:00 pm in Sauder Concert Hall
Spring 2026
- Sunday, January 11: First YHO Symphony Orchestra rehearsal of spring semester
- Tuesday, January 13: First YHO Concert Orchestra rehearsal of spring semester
- Sunday, February 1: Spring registration deadline
- May TBD: YHO side-by-side performance with the Maple City Community Orchestra in Sauder Concert Hall
- Wednesday, May 6: YHO Spring Concert – 7:00 pm in Sauder Concert Hall
Cost
The Goshen College Community School of the Arts offers financial aid to any family whose income qualifies them for free or reduced lunch in the Federal School Lunch Program. We ask parents to use the “honor system” when selecting the appropriate YHO tuition.
*Students who register for the fall AND spring semesters will receive a Whole Year Discount of $20 off.
*A one-time $20 registration fee will be charged in addition to tuition.
| One Semester Only | Both Semesters with Whole Year Discount |
|---|---|
| Full Price: $100 +$20 = $120 | Full Price: $220 – $20 = $200 |
| Reduced Lunch: $70 + $20 = $90 | Reduced Lunch: $160 – $20 = $140 |
| Full Price: $50 + $20 = $70 | Full Price: $120 – $20 = $100 |
YHO Internship Program
Open to students ages 16-18, the YHO Internship Program is designed to provide hands-on musical leadership training for motivated, advanced high school musicians who are interested in making a positive impact on younger students and developing firsthand music-teaching skills.
YHO Internship Details…
- Interns must be members of YHO.
- YHO Interns spend at least 1 hour a week working with ECoSistema students at the Boys & Girls Club of Goshen.
- YHO Interns are considered employees of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Elkhart County: you will go through new employee onboarding and will be on the Club’s payroll. Pay: $12/hour.
How to Become a YHO Intern…
If you’d like to apply for one of our 8 string intern positions, the first step is to join YHO! As a prospective intern, you will meet with the YHO Program Director and Conductor for an audition and interview in late July. Click “Apply” below to schedule your audition and interview.
Questions? Please contact CSA Program Director Hillary Harder at yho@goshen.edu or (574) 535-7341.
Nathan Berkey, YHO Conductor
Nathan Berkey is an performer, conductor, and educator recently appointed as one of the Orchestra Directors at Pierre Moran Middle School and Elkhart High School. He received his Masters degree in Music Education with concentrations in Music Administration and Conducting from Ohio University in Athens, Ohio. While there, Nathan served as the viola graduate assistant, performing and teaching with the Klinder String Quartet. He previously graduated from Goshen College studying Music Education and Theater Education, where he also assisted the Youth Honors Orchestra for four years. Nathan currently enjoys performing with the Elkhart County Symphony Orchestra and various gigs around the local area.