Join YC²: Become Part of our Chamber Music Community

Register Online: Fill out our quick registration form to tell us about yourself, your instrument, experience, and schedule availability. Registration opens July 2025.

Submit a Placement Video: (See guidelines below.) This helps us thoughtfully match you with peers of similar level and ensures the best possible ensemble fit.

Receive Your Placement: Most placements are shared in August. You'll receive a welcome email with your ensemble assignment, schedule, and coach info.

• No Cancellation After Confirmation: Chamber music relies on consistency and collaboration—every musician plays a vital role in their group. Forming over 80 chamber groups each year is a complex and careful process. Once placements begin in July/August, your registration is considered a firm commitment. If you have questions or circumstances change, please email staff@youthchamberconnection.org as soon as possible to start the conversation.

Begin Weekly Rehearsals & Coaching: Sessions run from fall through spring, culminating in exciting community performances and chamber music showcases.

YC² welcomes young musicians at all playing levels who have adequate skills for ensemble work. Students are asked to complete the registration form and submit a placement video.

ALL MUSICIANS (even students who recently auditioned for our partner orchestras and members of pre-formed groups), need to send a 1-3 minute video showing you playing:

• one (1) scale of your/teacher's choice (at least one octave)

• one (1) solo which best demonstrates your playing level.

A casual, home-video recorded with your phone is all we need, no accompaniment necessary. Ensure lighting is adequate and the students' arms and instrument are in view (i.e. no music stand blocking). Videos enable our staff to put groups together and for coaches to choose repertoire. Please send the video as soon as possible after completing your registration.

Video Submission: please upload the video as an “unlisted” YouTube video and send the link to staff@youthchamberconnection.org with the student’s name and instrument in the subject line. Videos should be submitted to staff@youthchamberconnection.org no more than 2 weeks after completing your registration form.

Remember: This is a placement video, not an acceptance video. All eligible-age musicians are welcome to join. Placement videos are used for thoughtful placement of students in groups and select appropriate repertoire.

The Competition Track offers a space for passionate young musicians to experience advanced chamber music training with a high artistic standard. Students will strengthen their skills in critical thinking, interpretation, ensemble leadership, audience interaction, and personal accountability—all essential for musical and personal growth. Participants will be mentored by YC² artistic faculty to meet ambitious artistic goals, with a focus on positive group dynamics, competition preparation, and performance excellence. Together, students will create a unique ensemble experience where a quartet is much more than the sum of its four players.

What Sets the Competition Track Apart? Competition Track offers high-level chamber music experiences for students seeking intensive artistic engagement and a heightened standard of ensemble performance. Students are placed in small ensembles through a selective process and are held to the highest expectations for preparation, participation, and commitment. Students will also be required to participate in local competitions and will receive priority in the scheduling of community performances.

Key Features:

• Mandatory Attendance: All coachings with artistic faculty are required. Weekly rehearsals are expected to occur even when a coaching is not scheduled. A finalized schedule will be submitted once groups are established and families have submitted their availability. 

• Additional Rehearsals: Students are expected to schedule an additional 10 one-hour rehearsals independent and outside of their normal coaching block. These rehearsals may be scheduled at a time and place of your choosing, but YC² is happy to help secure space if needed.

• Extra Coaching Access: Ensembles may request up to two additional coachings per season, allowing more time with our incredible artistic faculty!

• Performance and Competition Requirements: Accepted students must participate in ChamberFest (January 30 & February 1, 2026) and are required to compete in the Pittsburgh Concert Society Young Artists Competition (March 8, 2026). 

• Administrative Support: YC² will help cover application fees, audition recording sessions, and may assist with travel needs related to competitions.

• Mid-Semester Check-In Reports: Groups will schedule time with YC² staff and coaches to check-in on progress towards their goals, competition preparation, and any additional opportunities the group has chosen to tackle.

• Community Engagement: Competition Track ensembles receive primary consideration for community and outreach performances, serving as musical ambassadors for YC².

• Instrumentation: We anticipate that all Competition Track groups will be standard instrumentation (e.g., string quartet, woodwind quintet, brass quintet).

• Elevated Expectations: Musicians in this track are held to a higher standard of preparation, musical advancement, and commitment.

Who Should Apply? The Competition Track is ideal for students who thrive in a focused, disciplined environment and are excited to push themselves musically. Whether you’re considering a future in music or simply want a deeper challenge, this experience offers powerful growth in ensemble performance, leadership, and self-expression..

How Are Students Selected? Students may express interest in the Competitoin Track during YC² registration. Those who indicate interest will receive a brief follow-up survey requesting:

• Scheduling Overview – A short description of extracurriculars and academic workload

• Personal Organization – Communication habits, rehearsal preparation, and punctuality

• Personal Statement – Your interest in the program, artistic goals, and how you hope to contribute to your ensemble

YC² staff will consider Competition Track interest during initial group placement and will select ensembles based on preparation level, group compatibility, and demonstrated commitment to the program’s expectations.

Students pay annual tuition for participation in YC². Tuition covers only a portion of our expenses, and TRYPO and PYSO engage in annual fund-raising to cover the balance.

2025–26 Tuition & Fees

• Standard YC² Tuition: $550

• Competition Track Additional Fee: $250

The Competition Track fee includes:

• Two additional professional coachings

• Entry into the Pittsburgh Concert Society Young Artists Competition

• ChamberFest participation

• Professional recording session for any required competition pre-screenings

• Tickets to local chamber music performances 

HOUSEHOLD/ENSEMBLE DISCOUNT: Households that have a child registered in PYSO or in a TRYPO large ensemble for 2025-26, may be eligible for a $100 household discount ($50 per semester).

Tuition balance will be added to your TRYPO invoice after student's placement in a chamber group is confirmed in September. Families can opt to pay their tuition balance in full or via multiple automatic payments.

TUITION ASSISTANCE: 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.