Northern Iowa Youth Orchestra

The Northern Iowa Youth Orchestra (NIYO) is an advanced orchestra with two concerts during the year, a tour and side by side events with the Waterloo Cedar Falls Symphony or with the Northern Iowa Symphony Orchestra.

John Chiles

John Chiles, conductor

Suzuki School

Requirements for Membership

Advanced string, wind, percussion, piano and brass students in grades 9 - 12 (and at least age 14) by audition and who are members in good standing of their high school orchestra or band, if available.  Students in grade 8 may be considered at NIYO music director's discretion.

Audition and Registration Information

  • Online registration is required prior to the audition date and is available here.  
  • Auditions will take place on September 13 and virtual in January, 2025 for mid-year new students.   
  • Auditions are organized by instrument in the fall.  For more information, contact Cathy Craig at cathy.craig@uni.edu
Audition requirements
  • Strings (3 octaves)
    • 2 major scales, *G and E for violin; F and C for viola and G and Bb for Cello; E and G for String bass (2 octaves)
    • prepared solo pieces (30 seconds)
    • sight-reading
  • Woodwinds/Brass (2 octaves for major scales - chromatic scales to cover entire range)
    • Bb major and concert chromatic
    • prepared solo piece 30 seconds
    • sight-reading
  • Percussion
    • 1 prepared excerpt pitcher keyboard or snare drum
    • 1 pitched keyboard instrument sight reading

Audition Schedule 

Sept. 13, 2024 - Graham Hall in Russell Hall at UNI, must preregister to audition
  • 4:00 cello and bass
  • 5:00 violin and viola
September 20, 2024 - Graham Hall in Russell Hall at UNI, must preregister to audition
  • 4:00: brass, winds, percussion

AFTER SEPTEMBER 20

  • Required written recommendation from individual lesson teacher or orchestra or band director and a late fee of $20 will be assessed.

Rehearsals 

  • Graham Chamber Music Hall or Bengtson Auditorium at UNI School of Music, Russell Hall
  • Dress Rehearsals - Bengtson Auditorium at UNI School of Music, Russell Hall
  • Fall:  5:00 - 7:00 on Fridays except All State Festival and Thanksgiving weeks with two additional.  
    • String sectionals to be announced.
    • Monday, November 25, 2024 at 5:00 location TBA  
    • Final Dress rehearsal 2:00 on Dec. 8 in Bengtson Aud.  
    • Extra rehearsals will be announced for the side by side as they become available.  
  • Spring: 5:00 - 7:00 on Fridays beginning January 17, 2025.  
    • Side by Side Concert rehearsals for the May 6 concert with NISO will be announced at a later date.

Attendance / Policies

  • Students are allowed 2 unexcused absences.  (2 unexcused late arrivals count as 1 unexcused absence.)  Excused absences must be approved in advance and include only those events that are a mandatory school event.  You will be asked to submit anticipated absences at auditions.
  • Bring pencils for taking notes.
  • Cello and Bass students should bring rock stops.  Percussionists should bring their own mallet/sticks.
  • If you are sick, do not attend rehearsal.  Please email Mr. Chiles at niyo@uni.edu
  • Complete list of rehearsals with treat assignments, will be available once audition results have been announced.
  • Students who audition in the fall are auditioning for the both concert seasons and will be billed for the full year (price of $350).  
  • There are no refunds once music has been assigned.

Concerts

  • December 8, 2024 at 6:00 in Bengtson Auditorium in Russell Hall at UNI
  • May 6, 2025 at 7:30 - Northern Iowa Symphony Orchestra side by side in Great Hall with one rehearsal 
  • April 30, 2025 Tour 
  • May 4, 2025 at 6:00 in Bengtson Auditorium, Russell Hall, UNI

Concert Attire

Please refrain from wearing perfume or cologne to the concert.  If you do not own the proper concert attire and are unable to obtain it before the concert, please contact the music director.

Women 
  • OPTION #1: Colorful shirt, black pants or skirt (skirt must be below the knee or longer, black hose (black socks if you are wearing pants), black dress shoes; NO sequins/glitter/shiny decorations, NO revealing or low-cut necklines.
  • OPTIONS #2: All black 
Men 
  • OPTION #1: colorful solid dress shirt, black suit jacket is optional, black dress pants, black socks, black shoes.  You may wear a black tie if you wish but not required.
  • OPTION #2: All black 

Tour Information

  • Date: April 30, 2025
  • This is an all day event.  Details to be announced.

Fees

  •  $350 
  • Invoices will be in emailed during the month following the audition. Please wait to pay any fees until you receive your invoice.
  • Preferred method of payment, credit or debit.  Cash is also accepted but must be delivered in person to the cashier in Gilchrist Hall during business hours. Please have your invoice with you if you choose this method.   
  • Scholarships may be available for specific instruments (String bass, oboe, bassoon, French Horn, harp, percussion) or for financial need.  Application for financial assistance may be submitted after audition results but no later than Sept. 20.
  • Visitor Parking Tag: $40.80. 
  • Contact Cathy Craig - cathy.craig@uni.edu for billing, visitor parking tag or for financial assistance questions.

Announcements and Communications

NIYO specific emails will be from and can be sent to:  niyo@uni.edu or cathy.craig@uni.edu

Northern Iowa Youth Orchestra is an affiliate of the UNI Suzuki School and membership is open to any eligible student.