Is it really hard to get admitted into the Stanford Youth Orchestra Summer Program? I am really passionate about the violin, but I’m concerned about my playing level, and whether it would be enough to be admitted into the program. I have had violin private lessons for about 4 to 5 years now, and I play second violin at my school orchestra. I know that judging from my position at my school orchestra it is evident that I am not as good as violinists who win competitions and such, but I would really love to have the opportunity to be admitted into this program. Do you think I have a chance? Thank you in advance for any responses! ^.^
Hello! My sophomore S is heading back for his 2nd SYO summer July 12th. He was picked for violin in the first round earlier this month. He loved 2014 SYO. You should know SYO is fast-paced serious work as they prepare for 3 concerts of different orchestral pieces over the 3 week session. You need to be a violinist who can play for hours without pain. If you want to apply, you need to be preparing the orchestral excerpts (see website for music) NOW plus a solo piece. If this helps, my son’s 14 solo was a Bach concerto, and this year it was a Mendelssohn one. Share this info with your private teacher and see what she/he thinks. Go for it and apply if this is the type of summer music experience you think you would like. Best wishes to you!
I think you have a solid chance! My best friend, like you, has been taking lessons for 4-5 years and is a member of our high school orchestra, but is nowhere near the caliber of competing (and winning) music competitions. She was accepted into SYO 2014 as a second violinist and had a great time. Yes, the material is pretty demanding (among the pieces selected for 2014 were the Prokofiev Romeo and Juliet suite and the entire Shostakovich Symphony No. 5) and there’s a lot to learn and practice in the short three weeks, but if you’re passionate about the violin and orchestra, I know you’ll have a lot of fun! My friend made many lasting friendships and the frequent concerts were definitely an amazing ensemble experience. I wish you the best of luck! 
I think you have a solid chance! My best friend, like you, has been taking lessons for 4-5 years and is a member of our high school orchestra, but is nowhere near the caliber of competing (and winning) music competitions. She was accepted into SYO 2014 as a second violinist and had a great time. Yes, the material is pretty demanding (among the pieces selected for 2014 were the Prokofiev Romeo and Juliet suite and the entire Shostakovich Symphony No. 5) and there’s a lot to learn and practice in the short three weeks, but if you’re passionate about the violin and orchestra, I know you’ll have a lot of fun! My friend made many lasting friendships and the frequent concerts were definitely an amazing ensemble experience. I wish you the best of luck!
OP. I would strongly recommend that you only participate in this youth program if you are really interested in making music and collaborating with others with similar interests…but, I would strongly warn those who think that this program may “help” them get into Stanford may be in for a rude awakening…
…if you are MORE interested in doing something else over the summer…do that!
@gravitas2 I think the vast majority of summer programs at colleges make no difference in admissions. The Youth Orchestra may be an exception, to some extent. Students get three weeks working directly with the conductor of the Stanford Orchestra. This is the guy who will be commenting on students with applications that indicate an interest in music. It’s like an extended audition. The SYO Facebook page even congratulates members of the SYO that were admitted early.
Hi! I’m from China. I had similar concerns as you mentioned above and I find that we share many similarities through your descriptions! I also only had about 5 years of studying the violin and have great passion on it. I didn’t have any competition experiences and I’m not even a member in any orchestra(because my school don’t have one…). I’ve searched a lot on the internet and asked many people the on same questions you had. And the result turned out just as what they said, “It doesn’t hurt to apply!” I never thought what would happen and now I was accepted to 2015 SYO. 
To me it was like a dream, and what’s more important is that I learnt and improved a lot in the process of the application, which made me value it more. I believe you would feel the same as long as you try your best.
I don’t know if this helps because it seems that the last round of application of the program is about to end…(I forgot exact date…) If you have any more questions, feel free to contact me! And if you eventually are accepted, please contact me as well! (I’m trying to find any one who is going to SYO this summer…) Best of luck! 
Your English is beautiful, loobyzqz1998!
You should if you can get accepted. However, it won’t help more than any other orchestra just because it has the name Stanford in it. Just like how the Stanford summer school program won’t help any more than any other summer program