We are starting a queer youth orchestra. Kids will learn how to play in an orchestra in a safe affirming space where they can grow their talents and interests. If you have or know of a young musician who might benefit from this, please use this form. You will receive an email with the location and date of our first reading session. Parents & students are encouraged to TAKE CHARGE and to help with planning. See you at there! Mx Bunny Godel-Pockriss Shilakowsky, music director

OPENINGS IN ALL SECTIONS: We’ll need an absolute minimum of one of each string instrument and one of each woodwind instrument & 2 percussion players. If we get at least 3 of each string instrument, then we can have brass also, so starting with horn and trumpet and gradually adding trombone and tuba & more percussion, and additional woodwinds as the group expands.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS: Minimum age 8. Musical requirements: must know how to play at least 2 octave scales in C Major & keys of F, Bb, Eb, Db, G, A, D, E in major and minor. Must be able to read and play rhythms including quarter, eights, sixteenth, half and whole notes & rests. Music and scales for the audition will be provided by the orchestra! Sightreading is helpful but music will always be provided at least 2 weeks before we read it, so you can study-learn it before coming to auditions and/or rehearsals. I encourage you to bring the music and scales to your private teacher!

There will be an audition to determine if the musician can read notes and play their instrument at our required basic level of proficiency sufficient to play student repertoire. Repertoire will be chosen that matches the general level of players’ proficiency. If you aren't sure what all this means, EMAIL ME to set up a personal chat. If you don't get in, don't worry, we can help you learn the ropes, too.

SCHEDULING INFO:  Rehearsals will be every week for 2 hours. Location will be announced 3 weeks before the beginning of the first rehearsal. Start date will depend upon enrollment. 

PLEASE fill out the form below for your child/children and make a tax-deductible donation using the link below. The information you share here will be kept safe and only shared with people you agree should see it who are involved with the orchestra. Everyone who is involved with us will be asked to agree to our standards of safety and discretion for the good of all involved. Your information will never be shared with any outside entity.

About NCO

The mission of the Non-Conformists is to support and encourage LGBTQ+ and other marginalized genders & BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and People Of Color) who are composers, performers & arrangers, artists and composers by creating and maintaining the Non-Conformists Orchestra, the world’s first transgender, non-binary professional orchestra. By providing musical opportunities for professional orchestral musicians who do not identify as the gender they were assigned at birth; who are gender non-conformists, sexual non-conformists, and their “proven” allies, we hope to provide a role model of diverse people working together to accomplish great music and further, We hope that by appearing in public and performing great music with virtuosic artistry equaling that of the world’s greatest orchestras that we will influence people to be more accepting and caring for each other, making our world a better environment for its inhabitants while entertaining and educating our audiences about the beauty and value of orchestral music.