Yes. Most of the people I played with all had private instructors and had been playing their instrument for well over 8-10 years. Jill Reisner, trombone

In some ways because my stand partner for the joint performance was 25 and he only started when he was 18. Also, during their performance, the soloist seemed to have quite a few intonation problems. So overall, it seems that we, here in the US, actually get the more intense training. However, in the aspect of playing together and working together as an orchestra, they trump us. Suzie Li, violin

The conductor of the Potsdam Youth Orchestra seemed to have higher expectations of his orchestra. The players really seemed to rise to these demands. Kirsten Skabelund, violin

Playing music is still a major part of life in Europe and is introduced more into everyday life. Here in America, you have to work a little harder to listen and play classical music. Ann Rodier, violin