Kingston Youth Orchestra

Ensembles

Kingston Youth Orchestra

The Kingston Youth Orchestra is made up of high school-aged musicians who seek a challenge, who are developing their ensemble skills, and possibly considering a career in music. We are the only full orchestra (strings, winds, brass, and percussion) for youth in Kingston and the surrounding area. Our orchestra performs a wide range of music, at an intermediate to advanced level, from Masterworks to Pops. We draw our membership from our own string preparatory groups as well as from other local string programs and private teachers in Kingston. Most of our wind, brass, and percussion players come from area high schools and from private teaching studios.

The Kingston Youth Orchestra is conducted by Hugh Johnston and we proudly celebrated our 55th anniversary a couple years ago in 2023-2024. We perform two concerts each season and also perform in festivals and outreach concerts. Many alumni of the Kingston Youth Orchestra, as well as being successful in other fields, have gone on to pursue careers as professional musicians and remain active in music as members of community orchestras and ensembles.

Kingston Youth Strings

The Kingston Youth Strings is an intermediate string ensemble and consists of musicians who are keen to develop their performing skills. They perform an exciting repertoire of music from various genres, which leads to an introduction to orchestral technique and style. They perform in at least two concerts each year as well as at festivals and outreach concerts. The Kingston Youth Strings promote interest in more advanced string playing and nurture future participation in the Kingston Youth Orchestra. The instrumentation of this ensemble includes violin, viola, cello, and double bass.

Kingston A-Strings

The Kingston A-Strings is an introductory ensemble for young string musicians. They work on unison ensemble playing in a supportive and nurturing environment. The Kingston A-Strings is designed to foster confidence and enthusiasm for music and provides a foundation for the successful implementation of proper string technique. Members participate in two concerts each season. The instrumentation of this ensemble includes violin, viola, cello, and double bass.

Artistic Directors

Hugh Johnston, Kingston Youth Orchestra Music Director

Hugh Johnston was a regular player in the Kingston Symphony trumpet section from 2001 to 2012 and is an award-winning music educator. He won the MusicCounts Teacher of the Year Juno Award in 2012. Hugh has trained as a musician and conductor at Queen’s University, University of Calgary, and University of London, U.K. His expressive and communicative conducting style, as well as his work in music education, has enabled him to conduct performances at Orchestra Hall in Chicago, Carnegie Hall in New York, and Cadogan Hall in London, home of the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra.

In addition to orchestral work, Hugh has conducted numerous musicals, operettas, choirs, bands, and brass ensembles and was the founder and artistic director of Kingston Summer Music, a summer program for Kingston’s youth.

Auditions and Rehearsals

Are you interested in meeting other young musicians, rehearsing and performing some great repertoire, participating in workshops and receiving coaching from Kingston Symphony musicians and visiting artists, competing in local and regional music festivals, performing in some of Kingston’s finest concert venues, and attending open rehearsals of the Kingston Symphony? The Kingston Youth Orchestra, Kingston Youth Strings or Kingston A-Strings is the perfect place for you!

Auditions for the Kingston Youth Orchestra, Kingston Youth Strings, and Kingston A-Strings will be held soon. Stay tuned for more details on audition dates and location.

Inquiries

If you would like to get more information, please contact Susan Johnston, General Manager.