Thank you for your interest in Youth Chamber Connection (YC²)!

Registration is now open for 2025-26 season!

Remember that YC² will make best efforts to place 100% of those who register, and we have an excellent track record!

Before proceeding, please read the information here carefully. If you have questions about our program offerings, please visit our website. 

Please fill out the following registration form completely and do not omit any items. If a question does not apply to you, write N/A in the provided space.

Rehearsal Schedules

YC² ensembles meet weekly for 90 minutes on either Saturdays between 9:30 AM and 5:30 PM or Sundays between 12:00 PM and 5:30 PM. Please list all possible schedule openings, not just your favorite, for the best chance of being matched in a chamber group.

 

Important Dates

(Dates are subject to change)

• September 6, 2025 - Student and Parent Orientation
• September 20, 2025 - First day of rehearsals!
• December 13, 2025 - YC2 Winter Recitals
• January 30 & February 1, 2026 - ChamberFest!
• March 8, 2026 - Pittsburgh Concert Society Competition
• May 2, 2026 - YC2 Spring Recitals & Awards

 

Placement Video Submissions

All registrants must submit a 1-3 minute video to include a scale of the student or their teacher's choice, and a piece they are currently working on that best demonstrates the student's playing level. After completing this registration, you can send your student's recording in a couple different ways:

1. send us a link to an unlisted YouTube video.
2. send us a link to a google drive folder that has your student's video saved
   1. Please make sure you've changed the security settings to "anyone with link may view"
3. If you have any questions or are having trouble submitting the video, please email staff@youthchamberconnection.org

Students who have recently submitted a video audition to TRYPO to be considered for membership in YPO, Wind Symphony, Symphonette, or Tutti do not need to submit a video. Video on file must be from spring 2025 auditions or later.

 

Tuition and Fees

Please note, the YC2 has a $25 Registration Fee. Your first tuition payment will be issued when your group has been confirmed. 

• Season Tuition: $550 for full season
• Honors Track: $250 Additional Fee
  • Click HERE for more information on our new opportunity for YC2 students!
• Household Discount: $100 discount applied for households with a child who is also registered in PYSO or in TRYPO's YPO, WS, PE, SYM, or 2T for 2025-26.

Financial aid and scholarship assistance are always available and it is easier than ever to ask for what you need. Families should not be discouraged from applying to YC² due to financial limitations. Visit our Tuition Assistance page for more information about scholarships.

Scholarship requests do not affect placement in a chamber music group.

Excited about YC²? We sure are! Hit NEXT below to get started!

Pre-Formed Groups:

Chamber groups already formed by YC² during a previous year, through your school, orchestra, or elsewhere, who wish to join YC² as a group, are welcome to register, and YC² staff will make best efforts to confirm the group depending on playing level, schedule conflicts, and best fit ensembles.

Each member of the group should register individually and note your preference for chamber partners in the comments section. For the 2025-26 season, all members of a self-formed group must be individually registered by July 31, 2025. After that date, YC² will complete any partially-formed ensembles with a qualified, registered student on our waiting list.

SCHEDULE AVAILABILITY

Below please indicate ALL of your child's possible OPEN time windows on Saturdays and Sundays. Please note, if student is registered in PYSO or a TRYPO large ensemble, they will likely be placed with a group who meets immediately before or after unless otherwise specified.

• Example: OPEN Saturdays 9:00-10:30 AM, and 1:00-4:30 PM.
• Note any known reccurring conflicts on Saturdays or Sundays so we can take them into account! 

NOTE: These open times should reflect when your student is available to begin their rehearsal/coaching, not the time they arrive in the building or begin unpacking. Please be sure to factor in travel time from home/commitments earlier in the day.

Having a common timeslot open at the same time as other students is essential to being matched in a chamber group.  The more schedule availability you have, the easier it is to place you with other students like you for the best possible group match!

New for the 2025-26 season, Youth Chamber Connection is happy to announce our newest edition: Honors Track! Click HERE for all the details!

The Honors Track offers a space for driven young musicians to refine the highest levels of chamber music artistry. Designed for students who thrive on challenge and collaboration, this program emphasizes preparation, critical listening, expressive interpretation, and deep ensemble cohesion. Participants will be supported in competition preparation and performance excellence—developing not only their musical voice but also leadership, accountability, and group dynamics that transcend the rehearsal room.

Key Features:

• Mandatory coaching attendance
• Additional rehearsals outside of YC2 time
• Extra coaching access - up to 2 extra coachings a season
• Performance requirements - ChamberFest and Pittsburgh Concert Society are mandatory for all Honors Track groups
• Administrative support with application fees, audition recording sessions, and travel needs as related to competitions
• First consideration for community and outreach performances
• Honors Track ensembles are held to a higher standard of preparation, musical maturity, and commitment.

Tuition & Fees

• YC2 Season Tuition: $550
• Honors Track 2025-26 Additional Fee: $250

This helps cover the cost of additional coachings, entry into the Pittsburgh Concert Society Young Artist Auditions, ChamberFest participation, and a professional recording session. YC² is committed to providing chamber music education and enrichment opportunities to all students. Financial assistance is available upon request - check out our Tuition & Scholarships for more information

Youth Chamber Connection requires a $25 registration fee. This helps cover the cost of coaches review applications, listening to placement videos, and making sure we create the best groups possible for the 2025-26 season!

ALMOST DONE!

What happens next?

• SUBMIT: The form will do an error check and tell you if you missed any questions. If it submitted, you will see a thank-you message and immediately a confirmation will be emailed to Primary Parent/Guardian and to the student (if a student email was included). Check your Spam and other folders for this email, and move it to your primary inbox so you are sure to receive follow-up emails.  
• RE-SUBMIT, If you did not receive the "THANK YOU" screen and email confirmation! If it did not properly submit, the most likely reason is a "required" question was skipped. We have no way of knowing you are interested in YC² unless your form properly submits! 
• If you are a NEW student to TRYPO programs, you will receive an invitation to create your Parent Portal through TRYPO's tuition and enrollment system.
• GROUP ASSIGNMENT: By late August, you will receive an email detailing whether the student was able to be placed in a school-year chamber group. (That's the exciting part!) At that time, your invoice will be generated and the final Membership Agreement documents will be sent to you.

If you have any questions, please contact YC² Staff at (412) 391-0185 or staff@youthchamberconnection.org