Background
NEW! Debut Orchestra
Senior Orchestra
String Orchestra
Wind Ensemble
Fees
Governance
About CALOS
Formerly known as the Newfoundland Symphony Youth Orchestra, CALOS Youth Orchestras is Newfoundland and Labrador’s leading orchestral training program for young musicians. Serving students from St. John’s and communities across Eastern Newfoundland, CALOS provides a progressive pathway for instrumentalists from the early stages of ensemble playing through advanced orchestral performance.
Through our three-tier training program—Debut Orchestra, Concert Orchestra, and Senior Orchestra—young musicians develop technical skills, musical artistry, leadership, and confidence in a supportive and inspiring environment. Guided by experienced educators and professional musicians, members benefit from weekly rehearsals, sectional coaching, mentorship opportunities, concerto competitions, school tours, and public performances throughout the season.
CALOS is committed to making exceptional orchestral experiences accessible while fostering artistic excellence, collaboration, and a lifelong love of music.
Our Mission
The mission of CALOS Youth Orchestras is to encourage and develop the musical and social abilities of young people who have the desire and potential to play and participate in accessible, high-quality orchestra and ensemble programs.
Our Logo
Our logo symbolizes the expansion of sound waves as they move away from the stage where the orchestra plays. Lines from the central point in negative space bounce back and forth rippling outwards to represent the way music reaches out to all of us. The shapes created also mimic the crashing waves of the sea in bright colours to show how talented individuals can work together for one resounding purpose. The contrasting colours represent the diverse nature of our organization in terms of age, ethnicity, and opportunity. In Latin, “CALOS” means “to celebrate”. In Greek, “CALOS” is used to describe someone who is beautiful, an outward sign of the inward good, noble, and possessing honourable character. A person with “CALOS” is good, worthy, honourable, noble, and seen to be so.
Our History
The CALOS (Kai’-lohs) Youth Orchestra was originally formed in the late 1960s by a group of enthusiastic young musicians, conducted by Gordon Bartlett. Marjorie Doyle, a well-known author and broadcaster led the charge in gathering the necessary personnel and leadership to create an opportunity for young musicians to play orchestral music. The orchestra operated as part of the MUN Extension Service, maintained a vibrant place within the music education culture of St. John’s, and was supported by numerous service, religious and academic institutions.
The orchestra continued to function under the auspices of the CALOS name until the 1980s when, under the direction of Peter Gardner, the Newfoundland Symphony Youth Orchestra was formed.
Throughout its history, NSYO/CALOS has worked to develop the musical talent of young instrumental musicians in our province and produce leaders in the global music community. Since its existence, NSYO has shared the joy and discipline of orchestral music-making with over 500 young Newfoundlanders and Labradorians. Many of our alumni have gone to play with the Newfoundland Symphony Orchestra and other professional orchestras and ensembles across the continent and around the world. Some of the NSYO’s well-known performing alumni are Mark Fewer (violin, St. Lawrence String Quartet), Sean Rice (clarinet, National Arts Centre Orchestra), Heather Tuach (cello, Fitzwilliam String Quartet), Lynn Kuo (violin, assistant concertmaster of the National Ballet of Canada Orchestra), Rafael Hoekman (cello, Calgary Philharmonic), Jennie Press (violin, Vancouver Symphony), Romano DiNillo (percussionist, WICKED The Musical), Joshua Ward and Romesh Thavanthan (Hey Rosetta!), Andrew Dale (The Once), Kellie Walsh (Artistic Director, Lady Cove Women’s Choir & Shallaway) and Heather Kao (Concertmaster of the Newfoundland Symphony Orchestra). Even those who have not followed a career in music have been enriched by the musical, cultural, and social experiences that playing in a youth orchestra offers.
In 2019, the Newfoundland Symphony Youth Orchestra rebranded as CALOS Youth Orchestras. CALOS acknowledges a legacy of musical excellence at a time when instrumental music in Newfoundland and Labrador was in its infancy and recognizes the contributions of outstanding instrumental educators like Gordon Bartlett, Dr. Peter Gardner, Grant Etchegary, and Dr. Dylan Maddix in building the orchestra.
Debut Orchestra
Colleen McCarthy, Conductor
The CALOS Debut Orchestra is an introductory orchestral experience for developing young musicians who are ready to take the next step in their musical journey. Designed to build confidence, musicianship, and ensemble skills, Debut Orchestra gives young players the opportunity to experience the excitement of making music as part of a full orchestra.
Debut Orchestra is open to musicians in Grade 5 or higher with at least two years of playing experience. Through weekly rehearsals and performance opportunities, musicians will strengthen their ensemble skills, develop as young musicians, and become part of the CALOS community.
No audition is required to join the Debut Orchestra. Participation in Debut Orchestra does not guarantee advancement to the CALOS Concert Orchestra. Students wishing to progress to Concert Orchestra will audition through the regular CALOS audition process and will be evaluated according to the artistic standards and instrumentation needs of the ensemble.
Weekly Sunday rehearsals, MUN Faculty of Education
Senior Orchestra
Sarah Comerford, Conductor
The Senior Orchestra is CALOS Youth Orchestras’ most advanced ensemble, bringing together accomplished musicians approximately 14 to 25 years of age. The season runs from September to May and includes weekly full-orchestra rehearsals, sectional coaching, guest clinicians, and collaborative performance opportunities. Admission is based on a successful audition and demonstrated musical readiness.
Throughout the season, the Senior Orchestra performs several major public concerts, alongside outreach performances, educational initiatives, workshops, and community events. Members may also participate in CALOS’ annual Concerto Competition, which provides advanced musicians with the opportunity to perform as a featured soloist with the orchestra.
In 2026–2027, Senior Orchestra members will also take part in CALOS’ mentorship program, providing leadership, coaching, and musical support to younger musicians within the organization.
The ensemble regularly participates in the Rotary Music Festival and collaborates with professional musicians, including side-by-side performance opportunities with the Newfoundland Symphony Orchestra. CALOS orchestras have a proud history of touring throughout Newfoundland and Labrador and across Canada, as well as internationally to England, Ireland, Wales, and Japan.
Weekly Sunday rehearsals, 3:00 – 5:45 pm, MUN School of Music
String Orchestra
Dominic Greene, Conductor
The String Orchestra brings together developing violin, viola, cello, and double bass players from across the Eastern Newfoundland region. The ensemble is designed for students ages 10+ with approximately 3 or more years of playing experience.
Under the direction of Dominic Greene, musicians develop ensemble skills, music-reading fluency, tone, intonation, rhythmic accuracy, and confidence in a welcoming and supportive orchestral environment. The group rehearses weekly from September to May through full-orchestra rehearsals, sectional coaching, and performance preparation.
As members gain experience and advance in their playing, they may be encouraged to audition for the CALOS Symphony Orchestra. The String Orchestra performs in CALOS’ major public concerts throughout the season and participates annually in the Rotary Music Festival.
Weekly Sunday rehearsals, 2:30 – 4:30 pm, MUN School of Music
Wind Ensemble
Katie Sullivan, Conductor
The Wind Ensemble is an intermediate-level group for woodwind, brass, and percussion musicians. It is recommended for students with approximately three or more years of playing experience.
The ensemble offers young musicians the opportunity to strengthen their instrumental technique, music-reading skills, ensemble awareness, and confidence while gaining valuable experience in orchestral playing. Members should be comfortable reading music independently and ready to grow in a supportive and engaging rehearsal environment.
The Wind Ensemble rehearses weekly on Sunday afternoons from September to May and performs alongside the String and Symphony Orchestras in CALOS’ major concerts throughout the season. An audition is required for placement in the ensemble.
Weekly Sunday rehearsals, 2:30 – 4:30 pm, MUN School of Music
Symphony Orchestra $650
Concert Orchestra $450
Debut Orchestra $250
How Tuition Supports CALOS
CALOS is committed to keeping membership fees as affordable as possible while providing exceptional musical experiences for young musicians. The true cost of delivering our programs is significantly higher than the tuition families pay. Thanks to the generous support of grants, sponsors, donors, and fundraising initiatives, more than half of our operating costs are subsidized each season.
Your membership fee helps support:
- Artistic Leadership – Conductors, weekly rehearsals, sectional coaching, guest clinicians, auditions, artistic planning, and program development.
- Program Administration – Registration, family communications, scheduling, grant writing, fundraising, community partnerships, and the day-to-day operations that keep CALOS running smoothly.
- Rehearsal & Performance Spaces – Weekly rehearsal facilities and concert venue rentals.
- Music Resources – Sheet music purchases, rentals, library maintenance, and performance licensing.
- Organizational Support – Insurance, accounting, banking, and other essential operating expenses.
Bursaries, Discounts and Refunds
CALOS is proud to offer a 50% post-secondary bursary to help reduce the costs of participation for musicians attending Memorial University. The annual membership fee for eligible MUN students is $325.
Families with two or more siblings enrolled in CALOS will receive a $50 discount on the registration fee for the second and each additional musician, regardless of orchestra. This discount does not apply when one of the siblings is already receiving the MUN student bursary.
Additional financial assistance may be available to families who require support. Please contact the Executive Director confidentially at calos.office@gmail.com.
Partial refunds may be considered for members who are unable to return for the second semester due to medical reasons or other serious circumstances. Prorated fees may also be available for musicians joining CALOS in January. Except in exceptional circumstances, refunds are not available when a member chooses to withdraw before the end of the season.
Our Governance
CALOS is managed by an executive director and governed by an elected, volunteer Board of Directors, comprising parents, alumni, and music educators who are dedicated to fostering the offering of orchestral music education opportunities to youth. CALOS is registered with the Canada Revenue Agency as a Charitable Organization (8930 36772 RR0001).
Executive, 2025
- Nathan Cook, Chair
- Heather Tizzard, Vice-Chair (Interm)
- Twila Reid, Secretary (Interm)
- Dan Brake, Treasurer (Interm)
Directors
- Bernard Greene