MAC Youth Orchestra

This is currently the only ensemble being offered year-round (though stay tuned for an advanced community orchestra!). This orchestra is designed for middle school and younger high school students. The music is typical of 8th - 10th grade music. This orchestra was created to fit a gap in the youth ensemble world. There are many choices for advanced high school full orchestra and advanced middle school string orchestras, but there are few (if any?) full orchestra opportunities for middle school and younger high school students. This is a way for strings, winds, and percussion to experience playing together, and is a great opportunity for advanced and developing musicians! Anyone can join - but the suggested age/level is advanced 6th/7th graders to high school students not yet in an auditioned ensemble. The only requirement is that students MUST be enrolled in their school band and/or orchestra program. This program is a great supplement, but it is not a replacement for the great experience of school music programs.

Director, Dean McElroy - Director of Instrumental Music, San Juan Hills High School, drmcelroy@capousd.org

Location: San Juan Hills High School Instrumental Music Rehearsal Room, F6. Use map apps to find the high school. There is only one entrance off of Stallion Ridge. Continue down Stallion Ridge. Never Turn! The road will empty to our student parking lot (the one with all of the soler panels). The theater is the tall white building you can’t miss. Just past the theater, there are 2 doors that open up to the sidewalk in front of the parking lot (before the gym). Those are the music rooms! Park anywhere and come on in.

Dates/Times: Sundays 4-6PM

  • September 13, 20, 27

  • October 11, 18, 25

  • November 8, 15, 22

  • December 6 (concert)

  • January 10, 24, 31

  • February 7, 21, 28

  • March 7, 14, 21

  • April 11, 18, 25

  • May 2, 16

  • Concert May 23

Donation Request: $500. This will cover staffing, operating expenses, music, occasional guest coaching, and facilities.  We have set up a California non-profit with tax exempt status currently pending. This is all about access, so the cost is around 1/3 of other youth ensembles, and scholarships will be available for families in need. Please either use the Zelle QR code (after opening up your banking app) or bring a check made out to Music Academy of Capistrano to rehearsal. If you use Zelle, please type the student’s name in the ‘reason’ field before sending. Also, to make sure your payment is credited to you, please fill out the payment form listed here. You can also use the paymnet form can be used for you to request a scholarship.

Sign Up Here!
Payment Form

Zelle instructions:

  1. Use the QR code seen here

  2. Many banks require you to open their app, go to the transfer menu, select transfer by Zelle, then you can use the QR code

  3. Alternatively, you can manually enter the name through Zelle. Make sure you are paying to a business - not personal

  4. Under the business menu, you can enter the business name and Zelle tag.

    The name is: Music Academy of Capistrano

    The tag is: musicacademycapistrano

note: the tag is one word, no spaces, and the word ‘of’ is not in it.