Side-by-Side Honors Program

The Butler County Symphony Orchestra invites you to participate in our 2026-2027 Honors Side-by-Side program. The Side-by-Side Program is an Educational Outreach Initiative that focuses on bringing young student musicians and the BCSO together with the goal of helping further student musicianship.

The BCSO seeks to provide high-quality and exciting opportunities to high school music students throughout the region. The Side-by-Side program will take place during our Education Concert on February, 7 2026. Accepted students will rehearse with BCSO musicians to prepare one piece to be played with the BCSO.

This season we are pleased to be performing the Sorcerer’s Apprentice by Paul Dukas

Complete applications must include a student application and a teacher recommendation.

Applicants must submit their application form by September 18, 2026.

All applicants must be available to participate on all of the following dates at Butler Intermediate High School 551 Fairground Hill Road, Butler, PA 16001, unless otherwise noted:

Week of October 5, 2026* – 6PM-8PM (Butler Symphony Office 259 South Main Street, Butler, PA 16001)
*schedule to be determined when all applications received

Thursday, November 5, 2026 @ 6:15PM

Saturday, November 7, 2026 @ 2PM-2:30PM

Concert Performance – Saturday November 7, 2026 @ 7:30PM with a 7:00PM Call time.

Students currently enrolled in grades 9-12 are eligible to apply.

Applications for the following instruments are eligible to apply; a limited number of each instrument will be accepted: Flute, Oboe, Clarinet, Bassoon, Horn, Trumpet, Trombone, Harp, Violin, Viola, Cello, Bass, and Percussion. All participants will be required to bring their own instruments and mutes; the Butler Symphony Orchestra cannot provide instruments, except to percussionists.

All student applicants must have a teacher recommendation (separate google form). Applications without a teacher recommendation will not be considered. 

Any questions, please contact the BCSA Education and Community Outreach team by emailing education@butlersymphony.org or by calling 724-283-1402.