You can easily give online here. If you’d like to speak with someone from our Development Team, please call the Friends of the LA Phil line at 213 972 7557.

YOLA National is the next phase in the evolution of the LA Phil’s investment in progressive music education under the leadership of Music and Artistic Director Gustavo Dudamel, who is a product and champion of the El Sistema youth orchestra movement. The LA Phil introduced the Sistema‐inspired YOLA program in 2007. The program’s influence grew rapidly, and in 2012, the Take a Stand initiative—a partnership between the LA Phil and Longy School of Music of Bard College—was introduced to promote social change through music on a national stage. The initiative resulted in an annual convening of Sistema‐inspired music educators, a Masters of Arts in Teaching degree program, and in 2015, the creation of the student‐centered National Take a Stand Festival.
In 2018 the LA Phil introduced YOLA National in order to unify and expand upon these activities, with the exception of the Masters of Arts in Teaching degree program, which continues to be administered by the Longy School of Music of Bard College, now in partnership with Heart of Los Angeles (HOLA) and Street Symphony. Under the “YOLA National” umbrella, the LA Phil seeks to be a nimble and expert resource for the field, continuing to host annual convenings for educators and students, but also introducing new programs and entering into new partnerships that respond to the changing needs of the field.

Travel, lodging, and meals will be provided for all students, at no cost. A representative of the LA Phil will work with a travel agent to
book all travel for students. In doing so, they will ensure that students are appropriately chaperoned during travel transitions.

Students will stay in dorms. Great care will be taken to ensure safety and accountability in these locations.

We will do our best to accommodate all students to ensure that they have as healthy and positive an experience as possible.

A specially selected group of artists involved with El Sistema‐inspired and aligned programs will serve as the teaching faculty and will share their talents as artists and mentors throughout the festival.

Students will be carefully attended to throughout their time at the Festival. An experienced residential life staff will ensure that students have the supervision and support they need.

No. The festival will be fully staffed (24 hours) with adults responsible for students’ musical growth, social well‐being, and safety.
While parents and adults are welcome to travel with students and attend the final concert, only those staff hired as music faculty
and residential life staff are permitted to be present during the days of the festival to ensure the safety of all students.

Students applying for the National Symphony Orchestras must meet program and age requirements in order to be eligible to participate. These requirements are explained below.

Program Requirement:
Students must be enrolled in a music program that is either directly inspired by El Sistema, or in a program similarly invested in youth empowerment. While each El Sistema‐inspired or aligned program operates differently, there are basic tenets associated with such programs which this Festival aims to support. All programs must meet at least 5 of the following 8 criteria below:

1. Students are playing music on their primary orchestral instrument in the program for at least 5 hours per week.

2. Central to the mission of the program is music as a vehicle for social change and youth or community development.

3. Programming is free or full scholarships are given to at least 80% of all students.

4. The program provides a multi‐year commitment to students, offering support from childhood through the end of high school and/or adulthood.

5. The program emphasizes ensemble‐based orchestral programming (students are learning in groups).

6. Students’ success is evaluated not only on musical progress, but also on behavioral development.

7. The program has key individual or institutional partners that provide expertise in music, community, youth, and social development.

8. The program is a member of a national or regional organization that is a network for self‐identified El Sistemainspired programs (for example: El Sistema USA).

Age Requirement:

1. Symphony Orchestra: High school musicians between the ages 14‐19 may apply to the 100‐member Symphony Orchestra. This is a highly competitive ensemble, open to the most advanced players from Sistema‐inspired and aligned programs from across the country. Excerpts for the Symphony Orchestra can be found on our Audition Requirements page. Applicants who are 14 years old, and apply to the Symphony Orchestra will automatically be considered for the Chamber Orchestra.

2. Chamber Orchestra: Musicians aged 12‐14 are eligible for the Chamber Orchestra. Musicians who are 14 years old can either apply for the Symphony Orchestra, and be considered for both orchestras, or choose to apply only for the Chamber Orchestra. Excerpts for the Chamber Orchestra can be found on our Audition Requirements page. If you have questions regarding student/program eligibility, please contact yola@laphil.org.

A professional panel will review all audition materials and consider factors including diversity in age, program, and geographic location, proficiency and musicality on the instrument, and alignment of students’ personal statement with the Festival’s goals. Musicians age 14 who apply for the Symphony Orchestra will be automatically considered for the Chamber Orchestra if not selected for the Symphony Orchestra.

While past participants who are still eligible to apply may be accepted, they must re‐apply to be considered for the next year's Festival. All applicants will be evaluated using the same criteria.