Tulsa Youth Symphony

The Tulsa Youth Symphony began as the educational wing of the Tulsa Philharmonic Society in 1963. Its first conductor was Max Waits, who served as Principal Flute of the Philharmonic at that time. The 78-member Youth Symphony presented its Debut Concert on February 15, 1964, in the Tulsa Municipal Theater (later renamed the Brady Theater and, most recently, the Tulsa Theater in 2019). Robert McNally, Principal Second Violin of the Philharmonic, became TYS conductor in 1966 and led the ensemble with dedication and musical insight. When Mr. McNally was appointed Concertmaster of the Philharmonic and accepted a position as Violin Instructor at the University of Tulsa six years later, in 1972, TYS named Ron Wheeler as conductor; Mr. Wheeler would go on to serve the organization for many years and was later appointed Executive Director in 2003. Mr.