HCYO

The High School Gifted and Talented Orchestra has been renamed the Howard County Youth Orchestra. The orchestra got their start as the Howard Regional Youth Orchestra over a quarter century ago.  One of Maryland's premier youth orchestras, the HCYO has performed at New York's Carnegie Hall, Washington, DC's Kennedy Center, The Midwest Clinic in Chicago, and Baltimore's Meyerhoff Symphony Hall. In 2019, we shared the stage with TwoSet Violin for two incredible concerts and in 2022, we had the distinct pleasure of performing with Time for Three.

Our next concert will be on May 17, 2025 and will feature the music of Ruth Gipps, Michael Gandolfi, and our concerto competition winner, Lydia You performing the Mozart C Major Oboe Concerto! This concert is at the Jim Rouse Theatre in Columbia, MD at 2pm. There are no tickets required for this concert.

On May 18th, we will be joining Ben Folds at Merriweather Post Pavilion for an incredible evening. Tickets are on sale now at Ticketmaster.

Auditions

Here is the information you will need to audition for the 2026-2027 season of HCYO! All applications must be received by May 31st, 2026.

For all instruments beside percussion, students will submit an audition recording to be considered for HCYO. We will hold a live audition for percussion students so that all students have access to the instruments required for the audition.

All applications and audition submissions for the 2026-2027 season will be due on May 31st.

Percussionists will audition in person on June 5th at HOWARD COMMUNITY COLLEGE.

Audition requirements, including excerpts for each instrument are available for download using the links (click on the picture) at the bottom of the page. Our process for auditions is as follows:

Winds and Strings (all except for percussion):

1) Click on the appropriate link (picture) below, review the audition requirements for your instrument, and prepare the audition materials. Be sure to listen to any reference recordings that are provided.

2) Create a recording that you will submit. Here are some guidelines:

• Find a place to record that is free of distractions and resonant enough to capture the sound of your instrument.

• Lighting should be in front of you and should orient yourself toward the camera in a way where your technique is visible.

• Record your audition in one take. While you may make several attempts to record, you may not splice together different elements of the audition.

• The audition recording should begin with an introduction: Include your name, the school you are attending next year, and your graduation year. The audition requirements should be played in the order they are listed on the audition requirements page.

• It is not allowed to edit your recording after it is made. Videos that use sound editing or video editing software will be disqualified.

• Upload your video to YouTube using your school account. The title of your recording should be (Your Name), (Instrument), and “2026 HCYO Audition.” Use the “Unlisted” privacy option. Here is an instructional video: https://youtu.be/W1jnptpEC7c

3) Scan or take a picture of your solo piece. You will need to submit that image on your application.

4) Once you have your video and solo piece image, please click here to fill out an application.

5) All applications must be received by May 31st. It is highly recommended that you submit a few days early so that any problems you encounter can be resolved prior to the deadline.

Percussion:

1) Click on the appropriate link below, review the audition requirements for your instrument, and prepare the audition materials. Be sure to listen to any reference recordings that are provided.

2) Fill out the application form. All applications must be received by May 31st.

3) Percussionists will audition in person on June 5th at HOWARD COMMUNITY COLLEGE. Upon receiving your application, you will receive an audition time. If your assigned time does not work for you, please email ‘directors@hocoyo.org’ so we can arrange a time that does.

Eligibility: You must be a student in the Howard County Public School System and be enrolled in your school band or orchestra for the 2026-2027 school year. String players must be entering grades 9-12, wind and percussion players must be entering grades 8-12.

Auditions for the 2025-2026 season will be held on May 27th-30th, 2025 at Ellicott Mills Middle School and Howard Community College.

NOI Side by side

• Tuesday, June 10th - 7pm-9pm - River Hill Rehearsal Room

• Friday, June 20th - 2pm-5pm - River Hill Rehearsal Room Reservoir HS Rehearsal Room

• Saturday, June 21st - 9:00am-9:00pm - University of Maryland, College Park

Concert 1

• Tuesday, August 26th - 7pm-9:15pm River Hill Rehearsal Room

• Tuesday, September 2nd - 7pm-9:15pm River Hill Rehearsal Room

• Tuesday, September 9th - 7pm-9:15pm River Hill Rehearsal Room

• Tuesday, September 16th - 7pm-9:15pm River Hill Rehearsal Room

• Tuesday, September 23rd - 7pm-9:15pm No Rehearsal - Rosh Hashanah

• Tuesday, September 30th - 7pm-9:15pm River Hill Rehearsal Room

• Tuesday, October 7th - 7pm-9:15pm River Hill Rehearsal Room

• Tuesday, October 14th - 7pm-9:15pm River Hill Rehearsal Room

• Tuesday, October 21st- 7pm-9:15pm River Hill Rehearsal Room Cancelled due to multiple conflicts with the Marching Band Showcase.

• Tuesday, October 28th - 7pm-9:15pm River Hill Rehearsal Room

• Tuesday, November 4th - 7pm-9:15pm River Hill Rehearsal Room

• Tuesday, November 11th - 7pm-9:15pm River Hill Rehearsal Room Reservoir HS

• Tuesday, November 18th - 7pm-9:15pm River Hill Rehearsal Room

• Tuesday, December 2nd - 7pm-9:15pm River Hill Rehearsal Room

• Sunday, December 7th - Concert - 2:00 pm (11am call) - Jim Rouse Theatre at Wilde Lake HS

• Wednesday, January 7th - Winter Concert Snow Date

• Tuesday, February 10th - 7pm-9:15pm River Hill Rehearsal Room

• Thursday, February 12th - 7pm-9:15pm Snow date for 2/10 rehearsal)

• Thursday, February 19th - 7pm-9:15pm River Hill Rehearsal Room - moved due to Lunar New Year

• Tuesday, February 24th - 7pm-9:15pm River Hill Rehearsal Room

• Tuesday, March 3rd - 7pm-9:15pm River Hill Rehearsal Room

• Tuesday, March 10th - 7pm-9:15pm River Hill Rehearsal Room

• Tuesday, March 17th - 7pm-9:15pm River Hill Rehearsal Room

• Tuesday, March 24th - 7pm-9:15pm River Hill Rehearsal Room - cancelled due to conflicts with the Howard County HS Orchestra Assessment.

• Tuesday, April 7th - 7pm-9:15pm River Hill Rehearsal Room

• Tuesday, April 14th - 7pm-9:15pm River Hill Rehearsal Room

• Tuesday, April 21st- 7pm-9:15pm River Hill Rehearsal Room

• Tuesday, April 28th - 7pm-9:15pm River Hill Rehearsal Room

• Tuesday, May 5th - 7pm-9:15pm River Hill Rehearsal Room

• Tuesday, May 12th - 7pm-9:15pm River Hill Rehearsal Room

• Saturday, May 16th - Concert - 2:00 pm (11am call) - Jim Rouse Theatre

• Merriweather Show to be announced

HSGTO Concert Attire
*All orchestra members are required to wear formal attire for all performances*
Below are three choices. Choose the option with which you are most comfortable:
1. Tuxedo or black suit jacket and black slacks (no jeans or khaki pants), black button shirt, black bow tie, black dress shoes and long black socks.
2. Long black dress with black shoes. The dress doesn’t have to be long sleeved, but elbow length, 3/4, or long sleeves are preferred.
3. Black slacks (no jeans) and a black dress shirt/blouse (3/4 or long sleeved) with black shoes and long black socks/hose.

HSGTO Attendance Policy

We strive to create an orchestral experience for our students that is musically rewarding and challenging.  In order to achieve this, it is important for all involved to exhibit commitment to rehearsal attendance, integrity in music preparation, and proper rehearsal etiquette.  With this in mind, we would like to provide a clear attendance policy to ensure a success for the orchestra as a whole.

1. Attendance for all rehearsals and concerts is mandatory.

2. Students will be permitted one excused rehearsal absence per concert. All excused absences must be communicated by email to directors@hocoyo.org and approved by the directors at least two weeks in advance of the absence (except for sickness and emergencies). Absences due to illness must be communicated before 3pm on the day of the rehearsal.

3. Excused absences may include the following: college visits, school concerts, athletic games (not practices), school Spring trips.

4. All other absences are unexcused, including: Social activities, school homework/projects, studying for tests, etc.

5. After any absence, students may be required to play for the directors before the next rehearsal at 6:00PM.

6. After one excused absence per concert or after ANY unexcused absence, the student’s participation in HCYO will be subject to review by the directors.

It is our expectation that all students will abide by these guidelines, thus creating a more positive and productive musical experience for everyone. 

Concerto Competition Results

We were treated to an afternoon of wonderful performances as 5 musicians took the stage at Reservoir HS on January 4th to compete in our annual concerto competition.  The performers were incredible, and did not make it easy for Nana Vaughn and Richard Scerbo, our judging panel, to pick the winners.

We would like to congratulate Sylvia Johnson.  Sylvia performed the Introduction and Rondo Capriccioso by Saint-Säens with a beautiful sound and excellent technique and was chosen by our panel as the winner. Sylvia wins the opportunity to perform with HCYO on Saturday, May 16th.

Our runner up is Lauren Jackson, who delivered a wonderful performance of the Oboe Concerto by Vaughn Williams.  Lauren will also serve as the alternate if Sylvia is unable to perform with the orchestra.

Again, congratulations to all of the participants. 

Past Seasons

Click on some images to hear recordings.

2023-2024

• Ranaan Meyer: Concerto for My Family

• Jessie Montgomery: Coincident Dances

• Copland: Four Dance Episodes from Rodeo

• Bolcom/Primatic: Graceful Ghost Rag

• Mussorgsky: Pictures at an Exhibition

• Prokofiev: 2nd Suite from Romeo and Juliet

• Brahms: Academic Festival Overture

• Kabalevsky: Cello Concerto #1, Yehji Hwang - Cello

• Shostakovich: Symphony #5

• Tank and the Bangas at Merriweather

2022-2023

• Tchaikovsky: Symphony #4, Finale

• Beethoven: Symphony #6

• Moncayo: Huapango

• Borodin: Polovetsian Dances from Prince Igor

• Guster at Merriweather

2021-2022

• Hisaishi: Howl’s Moving Castle

• Hisaishi: Totoro

• Back to the Future

• Chronicles of Narnia

• John Williams: Star Wars Suite

• Time for Three
  

2019 - 2020

• Sibelius: Finlandia

• Copland: Our Town

• Saint-Saëns: Danse Bacchanale from Samson and Delilah

• Mozart: Symphony #35, 1st mvt.

• Holst: The Planets, I. Mars, II. Venus, III. Mercury, IV. Jupiter

2018 - 2019

• Marquez: Danzon #2

• TwoSet Violin

• Strauss: Feierlicher Einzug

• Mozart: Don Giovanni Overture

• Vaughan Williams: English Folk Song Suite

• Delius: The Walk to Paradise Garden

• Shostakovich: Ballet Suite No. 1

• Verdi: Nabucco Overture

• Tchaikovsky: Symphony #5, 4th mvt.

• Sibelius: Symphony #2

• Rimsky-Korsakov: Scheherazade

2017 - 2018

• Kabalevsky: Overture to Colas Breugnon

• Dvorak: Symphony #9, from the New World

• Ginastera: Estancia

• Rossini: La Scala di Seta Overture

• Stravinsky: The Firebird (1919)

• Weber: Oberon Overture

• Rachmaninoff: Symphony #2, 1st and 4th mvts.

• John Mackey: Mass

• Leonard Bernstein: Overture to Candide

• Robert Schumann: Piano Concerto, op. 54 in a minor, 1st mvt. Gloria Cai, piano

• Walter Piston: The Incredible Flutist

2016-2017

• Copland: Buckaroo Holiday and Hoedown from Rodeo

• Rossini: William Tell

• Berlioz: Rakoczi March

• Faure: Requiem

• Mendelssohn: Hebrides Overture

• Tchaikovsky: Swan Lake

• Gershwin: Cuban Overture

• Mozart: Overture to the Marriage of Figaro

• Tchaikovsky: Romeo and Juliet

• Shostakovich: Symphony #5, 1st and 4th mvts.

• Dvorak: Carnival Overture

• Copland: Clarinet Concerto (Madelyn Armes, Clarinet)

• Hindemith: Symphonic Metamorphosis

2015 - 2016

• Tchaikovsky: Nutcracker Suite

• Borodin: Symphony #2

• Borodin: Polovetsian Dances

• Beethoven: Symphony #5, 3rd and 4th mvts.

• Wagner: Die Meistersinger Overture

• Rimsky-Korsakov: Capriccio Espagnole

• Prokofiev: Symphony #7

• Saint-Saens: Bacchanale from Samson and Delila

• Grieg: Piano Concerto

2010-2011

2009-2010

2008-2009

2006-2007

2004-2005

2002-2003

Directors

Ben Denne

Ben Denne is a graduate of Northwestern University where he studied Euphonium performance with Rex Martin and conducting with Mallory Thompson and John Paynter. He received a bachelor of music degree with an emphasis in both performance and education. He received his masters' degree in music education from the University of Maryland, College Park.

Mr. Denne has directed the orchestra program at Ellicott Mills MS since 1998.   In that time, the orchestra has grown from a small group of 4 violinists to a program that currently reaches ~170 students in four orchestras.  Mr. Denne is a frequent guest conductor around the state of Maryland, where he has conducted county middle-school and high-school honor groups.  He has also served on adjudication and assessment panels for Baltimore, Anne Arundel, Harford, and Montgomery Counties.  He has had a place on the music leadership team in Howard County for 8 years and has worked on many curriculum writing teams over the past 18 years.

A conductor of the Howard County High School Gifted and Talented Orchestra (formerly the Howard Regional Youth Orchestra) since 2002, Mr. Denne has taken students to perform at Carnegie Hall, the Midwest Clinic, and most recently the Kennedy Center, where the orchestra performed a side-by-side concert with the top student orchestra from Beijing, China.

For 10 years, Mr. Denne also served as the director of the Howard High School orchestra, adding a second orchestra and doubling the number of students reached in the program.  The Howard High Orchestras and Mr. Denne were awarded recognition and won competitions for performances in Boston, Chicago, Orlando, Virginia Beach, and Myrtle Beach.

Ben maintains a small studio of private students on euphonium, trombone, and tuba, and performs with Butte and Friends and One Flight Up on trombone.  He resides in Columbia, MD with his wife Beth, daughter Katie, and puppy Rio.

Colin o'Bryan

Colin O’Bryan has been an educator in Howard County Public Schools since 2000.  A graduate of the Peabody Institute of the Johns Hopkins University with a degree in Double Bass Performance, Mr. O’Bryan has previously been the Orchestra Director at Atholton, Howard, and Mount Hebron High Schools in Howard County Maryland.  He is currently the Orchestra Director at Reservoir High School, where he also teaches Music Theory I and  Theory II AP.  In addition, Mr. O’Bryan has served as Director of the Howard County Gifted and Talented Orchestra, Howard County Repertory Orchestra, Baltimore County Middle School GT Orchestra and the Southern Maryland All County Orchestra.  Mr. O’Bryan also served on the review and appointment panel for the position of Conductor for the Baltimore Symphony Youth Orchestra.   As a bassist, Mr. O’Bryan has served as a clinician with the Maryland Youth Symphony Orchestra, the Greater Baltimore Youth Orchestra, and the New York String Teachers Association Summer String Institute at Ithaca College.  He has also been an adjudicator for various county and state festivals and assessments.  Colin has been a part of Bassworks since its inception, and serves as director of one of its many chamber groups.

Tim McKay

Tim McKay has been the percussion coach for the youth orchestra organization since 2007. He currently serves on faculty at Howard Community College where he teaches applied percussion lessons and maintains a strong private teaching studio through HCC's Music Institute program. Many of his students have performed in county and state-level ensembles, prestigious national music festivals, and have been accepted into the leading music schools and conservatories across the country. He is the director of the Drummin' Dragons Summer Percussion Camp, and is a former recipient of HCC’s Adjunct Faculty of the Year award.

Mr. McKay is an active freelance performer and enjoys his myriad of playing opportunities - everything from accompanying local choirs and musical theater, to classical and contemporary music. He performs most often with the Apollo Orchestra. Notable performances include Christopher Rouse's percussion concerto Der geretette Alberich with the University of Maryland Symphony Orchestra, and PBS's A Capitol Fourth celebration on the National Mall with American Idol winner Phillip Phillips.

Mr. McKay holds degrees from the Oberlin Conservatory of Music (BM) and the University of Maryland (MM). In addition to music, Mr. McKay enjoys homeschooling his kids, coaching his son’s baseball team, and baking artisan bread. He resides in Columbia with his with his wife, Amanda, and children Isabelle and Zach. In his spare time you can find Mr. McKay hiking and camping in the Blue Ridge Mountains and biking the back roads of Howard County.

Contact Us

Please contact us if you have any questions about the orchestra.

hCPSS Music Office

5451 Beaverkill Road
Columbia, MD, 21044