Labor Day Retreat

EVENTS

Empowering Musicians through Community

ANNUAL RETREAT 2026

Registration now open!

The Annual Retreat is a longstanding and cherished CYO tradition, bringing current and new Symphony and Symphonic musicians together each year during Labor Day weekend to launch a new performance season with renewed focus, unity, and passion. The retreat offers sectional coaching sessions taught by professional musicians and ensemble instruction and rehearsals led by our CYO conductors that culminates in a final concert on Labor Day. The musical progress made in three-days is remarkable!

Over the years, this three-day Labor Day retreat has become a cornerstone event, fostering musical growth, strengthening bonds among the young musicians, and setting the tone for a year of excellence and collaboration. The Annual Retreat is mandatory for all Symphony and Symphonic members.

Annual Retreat 2026

September 5 - September 7, 2026

Saturday to Monday

Final performance on September 7 at 11:00 AM

Location:

Whispering Winds

17606 Harrison Park Rd.

Julian, CA 92036

Registration and payment must be received by August 15, 2026.

Registration Form

Retreat Participant Form

Whispering Winds Waiver

Registration fee is $375 per student. All payments must be received by August 15.

We accept and prefer Zelle payments.
- (Civic Youth Orchestra Inc., 760-728-1977)
- Enter Student Name and Ensemble, Retreat in comments
Mail check payable to Civic Youth Orchestra, Inc. to P.O. Box 2170, San Marcos, CA 92079.

All 2026-2027 Symphony and Symphonic members are required to attend the Annual Retreat.

Important Retreat Information

Family and friends are invited on Monday, September 7, 2026 at 11 AM to enjoy a concert by the 2026-2027 Symphony and Symphonic Orchestras. Students must be picked up after the concert and lunch.

REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS

All Participants must complete ALL of the following steps by August 15, 2026.

Complete Annual Retreat 2026 Registration Form.
Download, complete and submit required Retreat Participation forms.
- Mail signed forms to Civic Youth Orchestra, PO Box 2170, San Marcos, CA 92079.
Pay registration fee by Zelle (preferred) or check. See payment details above.
- Student participant registration fee of $375 is due by August 15.
- The cost for a parent chaperone/volunteer is $165 per person, also due by August 15.
- Pay for family/guest retreat concert and lunch costs together with registration fee.

MUSIC PICK-UP

Music must be picked up by the specified dates and times. Once you have the music, look it over and become familiar with it prior to the retreat. We start rehearsing the music upon arrival at the retreat.

Symphonic Orchestra: Music will be available and must be picked up in August.
- Date, time, and location to pick up music will be announced in the summer.

Symphony Orchestra: Music will be available and must be picked up in August.
- Date, time, and location to pick up music will be announced in the summer.

TRANSPORTATION

Transportation to Julian: Students and chaperones meet no later than 7:00 AM on Saturday, September 5, 2026 at our rehearsal location (Classical Academy High School - PLC). After check-in, students may start loading buses. The buses leave promptly by 8 AM for Whispering Winds in Julian.

Transportation Home: Students and chaperones must arrange for transportation back home from Julian on Monday, September 7, 2026. There is no group transportation on Monday so please plan on coming to the Monday concert and driving your student home after the concert and lunch.

All student participants must be picked up by 1:00 PM on Monday, September 7, 2026.

CONCERT AND LUNCH

The final concert on Monday, September 7, 2026 begins at 11:00 AM with lunch immediately following. The student participant's lunch is provided.

Family and guests:

Cost of the concert is $10 per person without lunch. (Covers campground day use fee.)
Cost for lunch and the concert is $30 per person. Lunch tickets will be provided in advance or upon arrival at Julian before the concert.
Please RSVP on the annual retreat registration form the number of family and guests who plan to attend the the concert and lunch.