The Prestige Performance Series is a high-level accelerated weekend program open to all Northeast Oklahoma student musicians that provides specialized coaching, guest conductors, and concentrated ensemble rehearsals in a professional, energetic setting. The musicians’ hard work culminates in a performance for their families and the community. This rigorous single day series provides a unique opportunity for area students to learn new skills, prepare for advanced auditions, and expand their imaginations, all without a prohibitive time commitment.

The cost to participate in a Prestige Performance Series event is $35. Scholarship opportunities are available on a needs-based basis. Due to the fast nature of this program, participating students are expected to prepare all pertinent materials on their own prior to audition or event days. Accepted students should expect a full day of training including sectionals and large ensemble training, a free provided lunch, and a commemorative shirt to perform in.

Please refer to this page for any updates on the Prestige Performance Series; please note that all dates are subject to change.

ASCENDING strings

Saturday, March 28, 2026

Meet our guest clinician: Catalina Simmonds

Catalina Simmonds is a local educator for Union Public Schools as well as a freelance violist performing with local symphonies and organizations. After graduating from Southern Methodist University in 2009, she began her career in education working for Frisco ISD, followed by East Central University, Broken Arrow Public Schools and now can be found serving on the orchestra faculty at Union Public Schools where she was worked for 7 years. Although Catalina works primarily with beginning orchestra students, she can also be found serving as the Director of Union’s mariachi program. Prestige Performance Series is a passion for Catalina as well as the Tulsa Youth Symphony’s chamber music program and she looks forward to working with this years’ students.
When Catalina is not teaching or performing, she enjoys supporting her husband and kids Zach, Ford, and Sloane in all of their sporting events and eating great food at all of Tulsa’s great restaurants.

ASCENDING STRINGS is recommended for students who are accelerated beginners through approximately 4 years of experience, are able to read music and can play in the key of F, D, G, and C Major. All registered students will be required to submit a video audition and may decide to take a ‘half’ or ‘full’ audition.

A FULL AUDITION is considered as preparing and recording the entire audition page as listed. Students who submit a full audition video will be given all of the music for this program. Eager students with less experience are welcome to submit a HALF AUDITION, which is considered as the listed scale (#1), and the first of the 2 excerpts (#3) of the provided audition material. Students who choose to submit a half audition will be given a portion of the program material to prepare for March 28.

REGISTRATION FOR THIS EVENT WILL OPEN FEBRUARY 21, 2026

Audition materials will be available with registration.

VIDEO AUDITIONS MUST BE SUBMITTED BY MARCH 7.

If questions should arise, please direct them to programs@tulsayouthsymphony.org