Summerville Orchestra
Youth & Junior Philharmonic
About the Summerville Orchestra Junior & Youth Philharmonic
The Summerville Orchestra (S.O.) is proud to announce that it has expanded its efforts to collaborate with the education community, specifically through the creation of a brand-new, youth string orchestra program, music advocacy initiatives, and mentorship opportunities. In line with the S.O.’s strategic goals to promote and enhance music education in our area, the Summerville Orchestra created a dynamic, energetic, passionate, and dedicated program to lead this new education initiative.
A priority on the S.O. ‘s Strategic Plan is to create a youth string orchestra to enhance our young citizens’ love of music, while also promoting their musical growth and development. These new ensembles are composed mostly of students in middle and high school. It will directly strengthen, reinforce, and enhance the string pedagogy of our local school districts and teachers from the private, public-school districts, and home-school communities of the Summerville area. These include, but are not limited to, Dorchester, Berkeley, and Charleston counties. The opportunity to participate in the ensemble will be offered at no cost to students or their families.
Who can audition?
Students who play the violin, viola, cello, or upright bass and who live in Dorchester, Berkeley, Charleston, or Colleton County are invited to audition. The SO Junior and Youth Philharmonic accepts public school, private school, and homeschool students.
The target age range is 6th-12th grade. However, if you are younger and you can play the audition requirements, you may audition.
The Director - DeAnndra Glenn
The Summerville Orchestra (S.O.) is thrilled to announce DeAnndra Glenn as the inaugural director and education coordinator for the new Summerville Orchestra Youth Philharmonic (S.O. Youth Philharmonic) and education program.
DeAnndra Glenn has taught strings students of all ages in the Charleston area since 2004 and has performed violin with the Charleston Symphony Orchestra, the North Charleston POPS!, Charleston Stage, and the Long Bay Symphony. In addition, she has performed with Mannheim Steamroller, Michael Bublé and Michael W. Smith among many others.
She was conductor of the Charleston County School District Honors Orchestra from 2005 to 2010 and served for seven years as a string orchestra instructor for both the CCSD summer SMAART (Students Mastering the Academic Arts) program and the West Ashley Middle and High Schools.
Recognized by Who’s Who in America for establishing two successful youth orchestras, the Summerville Orchestra Junior and Youth Philharmonic, she concludes her fourth season with the ensembles. As Director of Youth Programs, DeAnndra Glenn stays active in the schools, interacting with thousands of students either as a guest clinician or by delivering musical presentations. In her role, she also has the privilege to support music teachers in their classrooms and through invitations to lead professional development.
Mrs. Glenn holds a Bachelor of Music in violin performance from the University of Montana as well as a South Carolina teaching certification in Instrumental Music with a Gifted and Talented Endorsement. In addition to twice attending the University of South Carolina’s Summer Conducting Workshop, she received training in the Suzuki method and “Every Child Can!” at East Carolina University and also studied violin locally from the College of Charleston’s Lee-Chin Siow.
2026-27 Season Auditions
All applicants for the Summerville Orchestra Junior Philharmonic and Youth Philharmonic must complete this form.
Audition information will be sent from DeAnndra Glenn. Close to the audition date, you will receive an email regarding signing up for a specific audition time.
Audition Dates:
September 1, 2026
September 3, 2026
January 7, 2027
Audition Location:
Alston Middle School
500 Bryan Street, Summerville, SC 29483
The Summerville Orchestra Junior Philharmonic (SOJP) is an introductory level string orchestra that equips students with the basic ensemble skills of following a conductor, listening, playing expressively, and improving tone and intonation while also building on each student’s rhythmic foundation. A variety of musical styles and playing techniques will be introduced.
The Summerville Orchestra Youth Philharmonic (SOYP) is an intermediate to advanced level string orchestra designed to push each student to a higher degree of musicianship. Students will be encouraged to consider how musical phrasing and specific period style elements enhance the performance of a composition. Challenging Pops arrangements and original Classical and Contemporary compositions will be studied.
The students who require additional challenge may audition to play with the Summerville Orchestra.
Audition Requirements for the SOJP/SOYP
All students must prepare the following:
Solo Requirement: All students will perform a solo of their choice. For example, solos may be from any strings method book, school orchestra music, Region Orchestra excerpts, or any other melodic solo that exhibits the student’s ability.
Sight Reading: Students may be asked to sight read.
Junior Philharmonic Scale Requirement – Students auditioning for the Junior Philharmonic will prepare the following two octave scale:
Violin: G Major scale
Viola: C Major scale
Cello: C Major scale
Bass: C Major scale
Youth Philharmonic Scale Requirement – Students will prepare the following scales. They may choose to play them in either two or three octaves.
Violin: D Major and D melodic minor
Viola: G Major and G melodic minor
Cello: G Major and G melodic minor
Bass: G Major and G melodic minor
Youth Philharmonic Excerpt Requirement:
Consecration of the House Overture by Ludvig van Beethoven
Goal tempo is quarter note = 88-104
Violin: Measure 83 through the downbeat of measure 119 – View excerpt
Viola: Measure 94 through the downbeat of measure 133 – View excerpt
Cello/Bass: Measure 93 through the downbeat of measure 126 – View excerpt
Contact: deanndra@summervilleorchestra.org
SOJP/SOYP Season 2025-26 Events:
- Fall Concert: October 23 at 7:00 PM. at Fort Dorchester HS
- Town of Summerville Tree Lighting Ceremony – December 1st at 5:45 PM
- Spring Concert – April 24th at 4:00 PM
- Youth Phil/Summerville Orchestra Side by Side Performance – May 21st at 7:30 PM & 22nd at 3:00 PM
Rehearsal Dates:
Rehearsals will be once a week in the evenings at Alston Middle School in Summerville. Exact dates to be determined.