The Carolina Philharmonic Junior Orchestra

[updated 11-14-23] 

Returning, as well as new 2023/2024 students: Online Pre-registration is required for all students.

Scroll Down for:

• A Brief History

• Classes & Locations (Placement in Mozart, Haydn and Beethoven classes)

• Orientation/Registration/Program Fees

• Loaner Instruments

• Performances

• Our Facebook Page

• Benefits of participating in the CPJO

• Volunteer

• Support the Philharmonic's Educational Outreach Programs

• Thank you, Sponsors

A Brief History 

Several years ago, due to statewide budget cuts in Education, Moore County Schools lost their elementary school Junior Orchestra Program. The Carolina Philharmonic, together with violinist/educator Karen Lewis, decided to relaunch the program in 2011 with private funding from Philharmonic patrons. She later handed over the lead baton to April Collins, who over the past nine years has guided a team of teachers and apprentices that has continued to build the program in phenomenal ways. We currently serve about 120 children kindergarten through adult, with beginner, intermediate and advanced classes.

The Carolina Philharmonic Junior Orchestra (CPJO) also provides exciting performing opportunities for young musicians in Moore County, NC. Focusing exclusively on strings, children learn to play violin, viola, cello or bass, performing music for string orchestra while focusing on excellent playing technique, sight reading skills, and group ensemble skills.

Classes and Locations

2023-2024 Class Schedule

• Sandhills Community College (SCC): Our two locations are at Sandhills Community College and the Bible Tabernacle Fellowship Hall.

  • Mozart class (absolute beginner/beginner)
    Day/time: Thursdays, 4:30- 5:30 pm
    Teacher: Mrs. Becky Anliker Location: Wellard Hall, SCC

  • Mozart class (Daytime beginners)

    Day/time: Wednesdays 2:00 - 3:00 pm

    Teacher: Mrs. April Collins Location: Bible Tabernacle

  • Haydn class (intermediate)
    Day/time: Wednesdays, 3:00 - 4:00 pm
    Teacher: Mrs. April Collins Location: Bible Tabernacle

  • Haydn class (intermediate)
    Day/time: Thursdays, 5:30 - 6:30 pm
    Teacher: Mrs. Becky Anliker Location: Wellard Hall, SCC

  • Intro to Advanced class (advanced)
    Day/time: Wednesdays, 3:00-4:00 pm

    Teacher: Ms. Cora Pilewski Location: Bible Tabernacle

  • Morning Beethoven class (advanced)

    Day/time: Wednesdays, 9:30 - 11:00 am

    Teacher: Mrs. April Collins Location: Bible Tabernacle

  • Music Theory class (all levels)

    Day/time: Wednesdays, 12:00 - 12:30 pm

    Teacher: Mrs. April Collins Location: Bible Tabernacle

  • Afternoon Beethoven class (advanced)
    Day/time: Wednesdays, 4:00-5:30 pm

    Teacher: Mrs. April Collins Location: Bible Tabernacle

  Price: $150 for all students, includes t-shirt and music book.

  Any questions? Please contact Mrs. April Collins:

  acollins@carolinaphil.org

  cell: 910-639-5663

Placement in Mozart, Haydn and Beethoven classes

We now have class names! Mozart, Haydn and Beethoven roughly equates to Absolute Beginner/Beginner, Intermediate and Advanced, respectively. All classes have size limits and we have a limited number of loaner violins, violas, cellos and basses. Priority is given to 1) returning students, 2) their siblings, and 3) new students in order of pre-registration received.   

• Mozart Class: Our "Mozart" class is for absolute beginners and beginners, grades 3-12. No placement is necessary to sign up for this class. (Rare exceptions may be made for students younger than 3rd grade, at the sole discretion of the teacher and the JO Program Director.) Our 2023-2024 Mozart Class teachers are Mrs. April Collins and Mrs. Becky Anliker.

• Haydn Class: Our "Haydn" class is open to students who have completed one year of Junior Orchestra or have sufficient prior training on their instrument. Our Junior Orchestra teachers will be able to help place students. The 2023-2024 Haydn class will be taught by Mrs. Becky Anliker and Mrs. April Collins.

• Beethoven Class: Our "Beethoven" class is open to only the most advanced of our students and requires the highest at-home practice commitment. Benefits include the greatest number of public performance opportunities. (Note: each of these additional performances is optional and at the discretion of the teacher.) Admittance to the class is by try-out only. Contact director for more information. The 2023-2024 Beethoven class will be taught by the Junior Orchestra Program Director, Ms. April Collins. An Intro to Advanced class will be taught for those looking to further their skills before joining the advanced group.

Payment methods:   checks are our preferred method of payment

• Check: Make checks payable to: Carolina Philharmonic. Once registration is confirmed, you may submit payment in person at Orientation, or mail to The Carolina Philharmonic, 5 Market Square, Pinehurst, 28374.

• Cash

• Credit Card: There will be a credit card payment form at Orientation or at the Carolina Philharmonic Box Office (5 Market Square, Pinehurst). Payment will be processed within several business days of being submitted.

Scholarships and Loaner Instruments 

Scholarships:

• The Annual Tuition Fee represents a significant scholarship for all Junior Orchestra students. (The actual annual tuition cost would otherwise be approximately $300/student.)

Loaner Instruments:

For Mozart Class (absolute beginner/beginner) students, we have a limited number of loaner violins, violas, cellos and basses. Priority is given to 1) returning students, 2) their siblings, and 3) new students in order of pre-registration received. We can also recommend economic options for purchasing instruments.  

Performances

CPJO performs as separate and combined ensemble in three primary concerts: one in Winter (December), and two in Spring ( February and May). The February concert is a side-by-side performance with Maestro Wolff and The Carolina Philharmonic.

(For more information about The Carolina Philharmonic performances and tickets, check the Online Box Office.)

Additionally, there are numerous opportunities, mainly for the Haydn and Beethoven ensembles, or subsets thereof, to perform in various venues in the community for special events throughout the year. Participation in these additional performances is at the discretion of the Junior Orchestra Program Director.

Our Facebook Page

For CPJO event updates on Facebook, click here. 

All returning and new students are required to pre-register using the online registration form to express your intent to participate in the Junior Orchestra 2023/2024 program. You will be contacted by the Junior Orchestra Administrator within a few days. Class space is limited and enrollment priority is given to returning students/families. 

Benefits of Participating in the CPJO

• String orchestra for young musicians with/without experience

• Formal musical training for 9 months

• Discipline, organization and teamwork

• Performance opportunities in the community (Intermediate and Advanced groups)

• Performance with The Carolina Philharmonic

• Complimentary tickets for CPJO students to all of The Carolina Philharmonic concerts (with adult general admission ticket purchased)

• Participation in the Carnegie Hall Link Up performance for fourth graders in the CPJO.

Volunteer

We are growing! We are looking for COMMUNITY LEADERS!

In order to build a stronger orchestra program for our young musicians, we need the time, effort and talents of dedicated volunteers. There are numerous opportunities to get involved in the Carolina Philharmonic, and you can dedicate few hours, days or even months to the organization. These are some of the areas we need your support:

Advertising, fundraising, class assistance, public relations, music education programs, grant writers, concerts and events.

Sign up to be a CPJO volunteer and make a difference by helping our young stars!

Fill our this online form to join our volunteer team. Have other skills or talents not mentioned above? Please share!

Support the Philharmonic's Educational Outreach Programs

The Carolina Philharmonic serves several thousand children every year with Encore! Kids (grades K-2), Link Up(grades 3-5) and the Junior Orchestra programs, yet we receive no state or governmental funding. What we do is made possible only through private donations. The actual per-student cost to participate in the Junior Orchestra is $300 per year; thanks to the support of a broad base of local, private community supporters, The Carolina Philharmonic aims to meet some of the costs through year-round fundraising efforts. Please support The Phil to keep our program alive and offer this orchestra experience to more kids in Moore County!

Follow us on Facebook: Carolina Philharmonic Junior Orchestra

Special Thanks to our Main Sponsors:

FIRST BANK

Everything Pines Partners, LLC

Janie Gould

Learn more about the Junior Orchestra in this podcast on youtube: