About the Northshore Community Orchestra

The Northshore Community Orchestra (formerly the Slidell Youth & Community Orchestra) is the only symphony orchestra in St. Tammany Parish where both youths and adults can make learning and performing music a lifelong endeavor. The orchestra was established in 1987, and has operated continuously ever since.

The orchestra performs several full orchestra concerts as well as some smaller group ensembles throughout the year, with genres including classical, jazz, pop, folk, ethnic, traditional, movie themes, and broadway hits. Each year, the orchestra typically performs a Christmas concert at the Slidell Municipal Auditorium and a Spring concert in Heritage Park, along with other occasional performances as well.

The members of the orchestra come primarily from Slidell and other parts of St. Tammany Parish (such as Lacombe, Covington, Mandeville, and Abita Springs), but some also come from surrounding parishes in the Greater New Orleans area and south Mississippi. Representing a diverse assortment of backgrounds such as students, medical professionals, engineers, skilled tradesmen, scientists, homemakers, members of the military, educators, and retirees. Though our student members typically begin with us around late middle school or junior high age, currently our youngest member is just 12 years old, and our oldest is in his 80s. Some of the orchestra's musicians are family members who play together – spouses, parents/children, and siblings.

The orchestra's conductor since 2006 has been Mrs. Susan Messina, a Slidell native who has a master's degree in music from Southeastern Louisiana University, and over 30 years experience as a music educator. She has served as a band director at several area schools, and currently teaches private lessons on a wide variety of instruments at Christy Music in Slidell. 

Financial support comes from the membership itself, as well as generous donations of local businesses and individuals.