Allegro Orchestra's Nextgen Youth Music program has opened registration for auditions for the high school Overture and Allegretto ensembles for the 2026-27 season.

Overture is a full symphonic orchestra for students in grades eight through 12. Through demanding music and professional instruction, students will develop advanced abilities on their instruments, as well as an understanding of how to perform in a full orchestra setting. Overture is under the direction of conductor Scott Kaliszak and assistant conductor Anthony Scheuerman.

The Allegretto Chamber Orchestra is Nextgen's premier ensemble for advanced students in grades eight through 12. Allegretto demands the utmost musicianship and professionalism of students in a chamber orchestra setting. Students in this ensemble receive guidance and instruction to perform standard repertoire and newly composed orchestral music. Allegretto is under the direction of founding conductor Brian Norcross and assistant conductor Francis Caravella.

During the 2025-26 season, Overture and Allegretto gave combined performances, providing a unique experience to students. Allegretto students had the opportunity to experience a full symphonic orchestra setting, and Overture students were challenged by some of Allegretto's advanced repertoire.

Allegro Nextgen aims to develop a love of the creative endeavor through exceptional, positive rehearsal and performance opportunities of varied, high-quality repertoire, with a wide range of performance ensembles. These musical opportunities are unique and designed to enhance what the students can learn in their normal scholastic musical experiences.

The Nextgen team believes that every child should have the opportunity to develop his or her intellectual and artistic capacity through playing a musical instrument and participating in a variety of musical ensembles and opportunities.

Auditions for the 2026-27 season of Overture and Allegretto will be held from Saturday, May 30, to Monday, June 1, at First United Methodist Church, 29 E. Walnut St., Lancaster. Parents may register their students at https://tinyurl.com/55934j9d.

For more information about Nextgen, visit http://www.nextgenyouthmusic.com.