The Northern Colorado Youth Orchestra

2026–2027 Season

Inspiring Harmony
for Tomorrow

Through rigorous ensemble training, expert mentorship, and disciplined practice, NoCoYO develops elite young musicians who listen deeply, lead boldly, and perform at the highest level.

120+musicians served annually
3large-ensemble pathways
1shared musical community
NoCoYO 2026–2027 season poster with orchestra photography
Loveland, Colorado · Auditions due July 17, 2026

Season at a glance

Three concerts. One unfolding story.

Symphony Orchestra opens the season in the UNC side-by-side. The fall and spring semester concerts bring all five NoCoYO ensembles together.

Preseason2026–27

October 5, 2026

Side-by-Side Concert

Symphony Orchestra

with the University of Northern Colorado Symphony Orchestra

7:00 PMUniversity Campus Commons Auditorium · Greeley, Colorado
Fall2026–27

January 27, 2027

Fall Semester Concert

All NoCoYO Ensembles

Apprentice Ensemble · Concert Ensemble · Chamber Orchestra · Concert Quartet · Chamber Quartet

7:00 PMThompson Valley High School · Loveland, Colorado
Spring2026–27

April 28, 2027

Spring Semester Concert

All NoCoYO Ensembles

Apprentice Ensemble · Concert Ensemble · Chamber Orchestra · Concert Quartet · Chamber Quartet

7:00 PMThompson Valley High School · Loveland, Colorado
Official NoCoYO 2026–2027 season dates and locations
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Find your orchestra

A place to begin.
A reason to keep going.

01

Apprentice Ensemble

Early–intermediate · Strings

No audition required

A supportive first orchestral home for elementary, middle, and high school musicians with about one year of playing experience—including nontraditional beginners and experienced players developing a secondary instrument.

Mondays · 7:00–8:00 PM
02

Concert Ensemble

Advanced middle school–early high school · Strings

Auditioned

An ensemble for developing players ready to deepen their technique, ensemble awareness, and musical independence.

Mondays · 6:00–7:00 PM
03

Symphony Orchestra / Chamber Orchestra

Intermediate–advanced high school · Full orchestra

Auditioned

An advanced ensemble for technically accomplished musicians ready to lead with confidence, refine their artistry, and meet the demands of challenging repertoire. The season begins as Symphony Orchestra for the UNC side-by-side, then continues as Chamber Orchestra for the fall and spring semester concerts.

Mondays · 6:30–8:00 PM

Chamber music

Listen closer. Lead confidently.

Chamber Quartet rehearses Mondays from 5:30–6:30 PM. Concert Quartet rehearses from 7:00–8:00 PM. Small ensembles give musicians more individual responsibility and a stronger musical voice.

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NoCoYO violinist performingNoCoYO musicians performing togetherNoCoYO orchestra taking a bow after a concert

Join the 2026–27 season

Your next stage starts here.

Fall preliminary deadlineJuly 17, 2026Spring preliminary deadline · November 27, 2026
01

Start your profile

Complete the interest form and new-student registration.

02

Choose an ensemble

Review the placement descriptions and download the right audition packet.

03

Prepare and record

Practice the listed excerpts, scales, and requirements, then make your audition recording.

04

Submit your audition

Send the recording through the NoCoYO audition form.

05

Pay the $20 fee

Use the parent portal to complete the audition and registration fee.

06

Receive placement

Results are sent to the primary email listed on the audition form.

07

Complete enrollment

Accepted students sign the contract and receive schedules and tuition details in the portal.

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NoCoYO musicians performing on stage
“Music gives young people a place to practice courage, empathy, and belonging.”

Our story

Built in a hard year.
Made to last.

What began in 2020 as an idea to give graduating seniors their final concert grew into an ensemble that helped young musicians continue making music together throughout Northern Colorado during the pandemic. That effort has since evolved into a nationally recognized program for musicians across Larimer County and beyond.

Our purpose reaches beyond polished concerts. Through disciplined ensemble work, students build perseverance, empathy, critical life skills, and the confidence to contribute to something larger than themselves.

2022Top-three finish at the ASTA National Orchestra Festival
2024Carnegie Hall performance and first world premiere
2026Walt Disney Concert Hall performance and second world premiere
2028The next world-renowned stage awaits
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Teaching artists

Accomplished musicians. Trusted mentors.

Our faculty brings professional performance experience, classroom insight, and a shared belief in what young musicians can become.

Daniel F. Smith

Founder & Artistic Director

Daniel F. Smith

Daniel founded NoCoYO in 2020 and has guided it from three socially distanced string ensembles into a nationally recognized program serving more than 120 students annually.

Read full biography

Under his direction, The Northern Colorado Youth Orchestra earned third place at the 2022 ASTA National Orchestra Festival, presented the world premiere of Chris Pilsner’s Interstellar Dreams at Carnegie Hall, and recently performed the world premiere of Daniel Dailey’s After Silence, We Sing at Walt Disney Concert Hall. A 2021 ASTA String Teacher of the Year honoree, Daniel also directs orchestras at Loveland High School and Lucile Erwin Middle School. He holds performance and music-education degrees from Colorado State University, served sixteen years as Principal Bassist with the 101st Army Band, and has operated The Arco / Pizzicato Music Studio for more than two decades.

Joshua Greiner

Conductor & Strings Specialist

Joshua Greiner

A Fort Collins native and Poudre School District alumnus, Joshua helps young musicians grow as individual players, leaders, and a unified orchestra.

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Joshua began cello at Blevins Middle School and earned degrees from Colorado State University in Music Education, Cello Performance, and Cello Pedagogy. He recently completed his master’s degree in conducting at Colorado State University. His work spans beginner instruction through advanced, state-recognized ensembles. He performs with his quartet across Northern Colorado and has taught orchestra at Preston Middle School since 2020.

Cathy Verbyla

Conductor & Brass Specialist

Cathy Verbyla

Cathy is a Colorado educator whose experience spans band, choir, orchestra, theatre, and professional horn performance.

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She earned a bachelor’s degree in Music Education from Mansfield University of Pennsylvania and a master’s degree in French Horn Performance from the University of Northern Colorado. Her performance experience includes appearances in Spain, Italy, France, and the Czech Republic; the 2012 London Olympic Games; and work with ensembles across Northern Colorado. She teaches orchestra and theatre at Ridgeline Middle School.

Barbara Thiem

Cellist & Chamber Music Educator

Barbara Thiem

Barbara is an internationally acclaimed cellist, educator, soloist, chamber musician, clinician, lecturer, and adjudicator.

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A founding member of the Mendelssohn Trio, Barbara has performed and recorded throughout Europe and the Americas and has written and translated widely on cello technique and practicing. After teaching at Colorado State University for 41 years, she is now Professor Emeritus of Cello there. Her training includes an M.M. and Performer’s Certificate from Indiana University, where she assisted Janos Starker, and degrees from the Staatliche Hochschule für Musik in Cologne, Germany.

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Frequently asked questions

Everything families need to know.

Rehearsals, performances, tuition, and auditions for the 2026–2027 season.

When does the 2026–2027 season run?

Symphony Orchestra’s preseason begins August 10 and concludes with the October 5, 2026, side-by-side concert. The regular season for Apprentice Ensemble, Concert Ensemble, Concert Quartet, and Chamber Quartet begins with a meet and greet on September 11, followed by the first rehearsal on September 14. The second semester runs January 25 through April 28, 2027.

When does each ensemble rehearse?

Chamber Quartet: 5:30–6:30 PM · Concert Ensemble: 6:00–7:00 PM · Chamber Orchestra: 6:30–8:00 PM · Concert Quartet: 7:00–8:00 PM · Apprentice Ensemble: 7:00–8:00 PM.

What days are rehearsals held?

Large and small ensembles rehearse on Monday evenings. Friday-evening rehearsals are added during the month before each semester concert.

Which ensembles perform at each concert?

The October 5 side-by-side is for Symphony Orchestra only. The January 27 fall concert and April 28 spring concert include Apprentice Ensemble, Concert Ensemble, Chamber Orchestra, Concert Quartet, and Chamber Quartet.

Where does NoCoYO rehearse?

Rehearsals are held at Lucile Erwin Middle School in Loveland, Colorado. Open the location ↗

How much is tuition?

Tuition is $100 per month for each large ensemble and $50 per month for each small ensemble. Families may also pay in full by semester.

How do registration and auditions work?

Start with new-student registration and the audition materials linked above. Preliminary auditions are due July 17, 2026 for fall and November 27, 2026 for spring. Auditions may continue during the season when positions are available.

What if I still have a question?

Email lola.payne@nocoyo.org and the NoCoYO team will help your family find the right next step.

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Listen back

Past programs

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Inspiring harmony for tomorrow

Train with purpose.
Perform with distinction.

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