The Brevard Symphony Youth Orchestra hosts its main auditions in May, though auditions also are scheduled during the year.

Students who pass the auditions are placed into one of three performing groups, based on ability.

The string ensemble, conducted by Linda Woodrich, serves as an entry level for beginning strings students.

The concert orchestra includes 60 members and is lead by BSYO artistic director Thomas Silliman. The orchestra includes winds, brass, percussion and strings and plays classical music that has been adapted for intermediate skill levels.

The highest level, the symphony orchestra, is led by composer and musician Joseph Kreines and performs classical works exactly as they were written by the original composers.

In addition to taking group music lessons at school, Kreines suggests students who want to pursue opportunities in the BSYO develop their skills through private lessons.

"It's difficult to become proficient -- especially on strings -- without private instruction," Kreines said.