Vancouver has one. So does Surrey, Abbotsford and Chilliwack. And Delta shares theirs with Richmond.
But when it comes to youth orchestras locally, the Tri-Cities has gone without. Until now.
Next week, Reg Quiring - a Coquitlam resident, music teacher and a violist with the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra - will hold auditions for young classical musicians wanting to be part of a larger sound.
The new Coquitlam Youth Orchestra (CYO) will start in mid-September and, should there be enough successful candidates, will be split into two: the juniors - made up of musicians aged 10 to 13 with a minimum Royal Conservatory of Music (RCM) Level 3 - and the seniors - composed of musicians aged 14 to 18 with at least RCM Level 5.
Quiring said he has heard from many frustrated parents and music teachers who are forced to travel outside of the Tri-Cities to have their child or student in a youth orchestra.
"It's a long distance, not to mention an expense, for them every week," he said, adding, "I've been thinking about forming a youth orchestra for many years and I think Coquitlam is ripe for something like this."
Growing up, Quiring played viola with the Calgary Youth Orchestra. Today, he talks about the benefits for youth to be part of musical organization, where peers can practice and socialize. "It's a great atmosphere from the moment you step in the room," he remembered. "It really inspires kids."
Quiring went on to have a successful career in music after high school.
He founded and headed up the Suzuki viola program at the Vancouver Academy of Music, played at festivals and, with his wife, pianist Rosemary O'Connor, established the Quiring Chamber Music School, which runs a summer camp in Vancouver.
Their Quiring Chamber Players - along with prominent guest artists - have become a New Year's Eve fixture at the Evergreen Cultural Centre for classical music lovers.
As a principal violist, Quiring has performed with the VSO, the Vancouver Opera and the Quebec Symphony.
The father-of-three, who has conducted for a short term with the Vancouver Academy Orchestra and a UBC string ensemble, said he envisions the inaugural year with the CYO to be a little bumpy given that it's a new experience for him and the players.
Still, "we will work out the kinks.... It's a big task and I think it's going to be great. I think it's going to be fun."
Many music parents have already expressed an interest in helping out (though more will be needed) with fundraising, organizing and administration.
As for the young musicians, they are required to be at rehearsals - with their instruments - every Friday until June: from 4 to 5:30 p.m. for the juniors and 6 to 8 p.m. for the senior group, in Evergreen's rehearsal space.
Quiring said he plans to start with classics from Beethoven and Tchaikovsky before moving into contemporary works; he would even consider conducting a piece from a local composer, if suitable, he said.
And once CYO gets grounded, Quiring hopes to host public performances like at Coquitlam Town Centre Park and Rocky Point Park.
"It would be really great to imitate the VSO but at a younger level," Quiring said. "I think it's something the Tri-City audience would love to hear and see."
Auditions for string, wind, brass and percussion players is on Friday, June 21 from 4 to 8 p.m. in the rehearsal room of the Evergreen Cultural Centre (1205 Pinetree Way.) Visit www.coquitlamyouthorchestra.ca to fill out a registration form. For more information, call 604-939-9313.
