Youth Honors Orchestra
About the Orchestra
The Seton Hill University Youth Honors Orchestra is an enriching opportunity for student string players in grades 6, 7, and 8. After the initial audition by video submission, selected orchestra students meet for two rehearsals, the last culminating with a concert and reception at Seton Hill University’s Performing Arts Center.
Audition Instructions
Send in the Audition Video Submission, Application, and fee by the deadline. Those selected will be notified in early December.
Visit the Forms and Documents page to download the list of required audition solos and to access the audition form.
Audition video submissions are due by Thanksgiving Holiday break (check form for date) and rehearsals take place in January. The concert is part of the day of the last rehearsal and tickets can be obtained online or by contacting the Performing Arts Center Box Office at BoxOffice@setonhill.edu. There is a fee of $10 to audition and a fee of $70 to participate if selected for the band. Information on fees, schedules, and policies can be found on the audition application.
We are excited to share that Katie Black, Seton Hill University Music Education Class of '15, will serve as Guest Conductor for the 2026-2027 Youth Honors Orchestra!
Katie Black is the Orchestra Director for the Butler Area School District Intermediate and Senior High School Orchestras, as well as the director of the Butler Rock Orchestra and Chamber Orchestra. She has been teaching orchestra in the Butler Area School District since 2015. A graduate of Seton Hill University, she earned her Bachelor of Music in Music Education in 2015. In 2019, Katie received the PADESTA Award for Outstanding New String Teacher in recognition of her work as a string educator.
Under Katie’s direction, the Butler Rock Orchestra was selected to perform at the PMEA State Conference in both 2020 and 2024. In 2024, Butler Area School District also hosted the PMEA Western Region Orchestra. The Rock Orchestra has performed at the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame and most recently collaborated with Cello Fury for a performance at the historic Penn Theater. The Butler Rock Orchestra, Senior High Orchestra, and Chamber Orchestra have each earned Superior ratings at the High Note Music Festival at Carnegie Mellon University.
In addition to her work as an educator and conductor, Katie is an active freelance violinist and performs with her acoustic string duo "The Jive Daisy" for weddings and special events. She has also performed as a featured guest with several Pittsburgh-area bluegrass groups and has recorded violin for several independent album projects.
