Audition Fees & Tuition

All parents are required to pay the $30 audition fee at the time of audition.  This fee does not apply toward tuition.  Tuition is not tax-deductible, and is non-refundable.  Yearly tuition is:

Orchestra: $420

Academy Orchestra: $420

Symphonic Winds: $390

Preparatory Strings: $280

Tuition Agreement

The tuition agreement is part of the regitration form that must be signed and returned before auditions.  All families must be current with the previous year's tuition to audition.  This agreement is a binding contract and obligation to pay the full tuition for the entire concert season.  Tuition will not be reduced or pro-rated for concerts missed.

Payment Procedures

Tuition may be paid in trimesterly installments or in full.  Those families choosing to make payments will receive a tuition voucher form to help track payments.  It is the family's responsibility to make prompt payments.  Late fees of $5 per payment, per month late, may be added to the balance due.  Payments should be mailed to SLOYS, P.O. Box 658, San Luis Obispo, CA 93406.

Tuition Scholarships

The San Luis Obispo Youth Symphony is committed to providing its services to all musicians, regardless of financial standing.  Scholarships are provided to families who need financial assistance.  In order to be fair to all families, the following policies have been developed for granting scholarships:

The year is divided into three trimesters, correlation to the rehearsal cycles for the Holiday, Spring, and Season Finale Concerts.

Scholarships will be distributed each trimester.

 If applying, each family must complete one confidential scholarship application each year, due by the first rehearsal at the parent meeting on October 6th.

 A federal tax return is no longer required to apply for a scholarship

The scholarship committee will review all applications, and a scholarship amount will be determined based on individual needs

Each family is responsible for the $30 audition fee plus the first $50 of tuition per child, regardless of the ensemble in which they play.  $50.00 must be sent with the scholarship application to ensure that the musician receives scholarship consideration.

Scholarships will be awarded for the second and third trimesters based on an evaluation by the musician's conductor, parent participation, and declaration of continued need.  Musicians will be evaluated on attendance, evidence of individual effort and progress, and attitude.  Of a musician exhibits lack of preparedness, interest, or motivation, the scholarship will be reconsidered.

Families receiving scholarships are expected to be available for at least one volunteer activity during the year.

Tuition Discounts

Families with more than one participating musicians are automatically given a 10% multi-student discount.

If your child participates in his/her school music program in any way, you are eligible for a $50 credit toward your Youth Symphony tuition.  This can include participating in band, choir, guitar, piano, etc.  All we need is a signature from your music teacher on your Youth Symphony registration form.