The Roaring Fork Youth Orchestra is the only youth orchestra in the Roaring Fork Valley region. There are no K -12 public school orchestra programs in the valley. The RFYO fundraises to offer need-based scholarships for lessons and tuition and to make orchestral playing accessible to all students.
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The Roaring Fork Music Society is dedicated to making orchestral and classical music education and performances accessible and affordable to the youth and community members of the Roaring Fork Valley region through its Roaring Fork Youth Orchestra and outreach programs.
The RFYO is the only youth orchestra in the Roaring Fork Valley region. The RFYO is now in its tenth year and brings together nearly 75 student musicians, ages 5 to 18, from Aspen to Rifle, to learn how to play and perform in an orchestra. We are working to make classical music instruction accessible and affordable for all students. Currently, no schools in the Roaring Fork Valley offer continuous K-12 strings or orchestral music programs. The RFYO works to fill this gap and provides need-based scholarships for private lessons. RFYO students play violin, viola, cello, bass, winds, brass, and percussion. Without the RFYO, many of these students would not be able to afford private lessons, or would not have the opportunity to play with an orchestra.
The Roaring Fork Youth Orchestra is the primary program of the 501(c)3 nonprofit Roaring Fork Music Society, Inc., (RFMS). The RFMS was created in 2014 as a successor to the long-time local nonprofit, Roaring Fork Chamber Players. The RFYO first began in 2011 as a program of the former organization. At its start in 2011, 8 students rehearsed weekly after-school at Aspen High School. During the 2019-20 school year, 75 students participated in the RFYO, from the region spanning Aspen to Eagle to Rifle, CO, and performed 9 concerts for nearly 1,100 community audience members.
Letters from families receiving RFYO scholarships for lessons and tuition:
"This past winter Lily really loved her orchestra experience. Music has become the place where Lily is finding her people, her friends, her support network in life. The rest of our family have made connections with classical music that we wouldn't have without our experiences with RFYO."
"Neither myself nor my husband had the opportunity as young people to participate in any form of music, thus we feel that it is a very important opportunity that we can give to our children. Eric is very excited and we are thrilled to be a part of the RFYO and the opportunity that it provides for Eric to advance his skills."
"Thank you so much and the committee for all your support, with out your help it will be impossible for us to send M. to private lessons, I really appreciate all of your help."
"Wow, the RFYO scholarship committee is profoundly generous and kind. We are so fortunate to receive the guidance and development of the program along with this scholarship. A. is looking forward to meeting with the group this week."
