Founded by Musicopia in 2005, the Musicopia String Orchestras program is based on the philosophy that participating in serious, long-term musical endeavors can have a transformative impact on students, encouraging discipline, teamwork, and personal and creative development. MSO is a tuition-free program, and it serves students throughout the greater Philadelphia region with three levels of ensemble: Musicopia Prelude Players (MPP), Musicopia Young String Players (MYSP), and Musicopia String Orchestra (MSO). The orchestra program is open to students from public, private, parochial, and charter schools, and to students who are home-schooled. MSO ensembles typically perform concerts 2-3 times per year.
What makes the Musicopia String Orchestras unique?
Rehearsal Location: First Presbyterian Church in Philadelphia, 201 S. 21st Street
Rehearsal Day & Times: Tuesday afternoon and evenings. See below for each ensemble’s specific rehearsal time.
Free Transportation
Do not let transportation be a barrier for students looking to join MSO. For more information about transportation provided by Musicopia, please reach out to programming@musicopia.net.
Please contact us with any questions at programming@musicopia.net!
Musicopia String Orchestra (MSO)
Tuesdays, 5:30 – 7:45pm
An advanced string orchestra of students ages 12-18, who have at least 4 years of playing experience. These talented students have a passion for music and are committed to performing challenging repertoire and high playing standards.
Musicopia Young String Players (MYSP)
Tuesdays, 4:30 – 6:30pm
An intermediate string orchestra of students ages 9 – 14, who have at least 2 years of playing experience. These students learn the essentials of playing in an orchestra together and refine their playing technique so that they can eventually advance to MSO.
Musicopia Prelude Players (MPP)
Tuesdays, 4:30 – 6:30pm
A beginning ensemble for younger students ages 7 – 11, who have at least 6 months-1 year of playing experience. These students learn fundamentals in basic playing technique, reading music, and playing in an ensemble. This ensemble serves as precursor to MYSP.
Musicopia X-tet
Tuesdays, 5:30 – 7:45pm, during MSO sectionals
An advanced chamber music ensemble made up of select MSO members, which performs at outreach events around the Philadelphia area. This group has flexible instrumentation and rehearses during normal MSO rehearsals under the guidance of a string coach. This ensemble gives our most advanced students the opportunity to perform chamber music.
MSO X-tet Outreach Performances: Select students from the MSO form an outreach chamber ensemble with flexible instrumentation, known as the X-tet. The X-tet performs at events around the Philadelphia area and has received wide acclaim for its high level of playing and joyful demeanor. Email jessica.morel@musicopia.net if you would like the X-tet to perform at your event.
To join the Musicopia String Orchestras for Fall 2026, submit your audition video by August 31, 2026.
Auditions for the Musicopia String Orchestras are done through video submission. Video auditions should be uploaded to Youtube (unlisted) and submitted via the Audition Submission Form below. Arrangements can be made if video submission is not a possibility for you.
The registration fee for the 2026-27 season is $50.
What’s Required To Audition?
Prelude Players
Two 1 octave scales of the student’s choice
Solo piece, 1-2 minutes long
Level: Suzuki Book 1 or equivalent
Using school ensemble music is acceptable
MYSP
Two 1-2 octave scales of the student’s choice
Solo piece, 2-4 minutes long
Level: Suzuki Book 2 – 4 or equivalent
Using school ensemble music is acceptable
MSO
Two 2-3 octave scales, demonstrating student’s widest range
A solo piece or two contrasting pieces totaling 5-7 min
Level: Suzuki Book 4 – 8 or equivalent
Please contact Artistic Director/Conductor Jessica Morel at jessica.morel@musicopia.net with any questions.
Musicopia is pleased to announce that the Musicopia String Orchestras is a tuition-free program as of September 1, 2023. While tuition payment is no longer required, we ask families/community supporters to contribute an amount that is meaningful to you, helping to keep the program sustainable into the future.
Below are three suggested donation amounts. Visit this link to make a donation and for additional donation suggestions.
a. The recommended donation of $825.00 covers 30 weeks of rehearsal and two concerts for one student.
b. A monthly donation of $50 provides a total of $600.00 for the year.
c. A monthly donation of $84.00 provides a total of $1,008.00 for the year and covers 30 weeks of rehearsal and two concerts for one student, plus a little extra to help cover costs for an additional student.Please contact Artistic Director/Conductor Jessica Morel at jessica.morel@musicopia.net with any questions.
