Boston Youth Symphony Orchestras

==Boston Youth Symphony Orchestras== The '''Boston Youth Symphony Orchestras''' (BYSO) is a renowned institution based in Boston, Massachusetts, dedicated to fostering the musical talents of youth throughout New England. With a history spanning over six decades, BYSO has established itself as one of the premier youth orchestras in the United States, offering a wide range of educational programs and performance opportunities for its members. ===History=== BYSO was founded in 1958 under the leadership of Dr. Robert Choate from Boston University. The orchestra held its debut concert at the New England Conservatory's Jordan Hall with Marvin Rabin as its first Music Director. Over the years, BYSO, initially known as The Greater Boston Youth Symphony Orchestra (GBYSO), has achieved numerous milestones and has expanded its reach and programming to accommodate the growing number of talented young musicians in the region. In 1962, the orchestra performed at the White House and Carnegie Hall, marking the beginning of its national recognition. The following year, a second full orchestra was formed to meet the increasing demand from auditioning students, known as the Repertory Orchestra. This ensemble was originally called the Greater Boston Junior Youth Symphony Orchestra. Throughout the 1960s and 1970s, BYSO embarked on several international tours, earning top honors at the International Festival of Youth Orchestras in Switzerland and being the first foreign youth orchestra to perform at the Israel Festival of Music and Drama. The orchestra also performed at prestigious venues such as the Kennedy Center and toured various countries, including Colombia, England, Scotland, Wales, and Germany. In 1983, BYSO celebrated its Silver Anniversary with the commission and premiere of "The GBYSO Music" by Theodore Antoniou and became an independent non-profit organization. The 1980s and 1990s saw continued growth and success with tours across Europe and Asia, collaborations with eminent musicians, and the establishment of new ensembles such as the Junior Repertory Orchestra (JRO) in 1991. In 2006, the organization officially changed its name to Boston Youth Symphony Orchestras (BYSO), and its highest-level orchestra became known as the Boston Youth Symphony (BYS). BYSO celebrated its 50th Anniversary in 2008 with a gala featuring world-renowned cellist Yo-Yo Ma and continued to expand its community outreach and educational programs. ===Educational Programs and Community Impact=== BYSO offers a comprehensive educational experience through various programs, including the Intensive Community Program (ICP), which was established in 1998 and expanded in 2017 to include wind and brass instruments. The ICP aims to diversify the future of classical music and has celebrated significant anniversaries with performances across Boston. The organization has also formed important partnerships, such as the collaboration with the Boston Symphony Orchestra (BSO) to co-present the BSO's Youth & Family Subscription Series and a partnership with the United Way to provide access to concerts for young people. ===Recent Developments=== In recent years, BYSO has continued to innovate and adapt, especially during the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2021, BYSO Connects was launched, offering a completely online season and creating videos of classical works to engage with audiences virtually. As of 2023, BYSO remains committed to its mission of music education and performance, nurturing the next generation of musicians and contributing to the cultural fabric of Boston and beyond. ==External Links== * [https://www.byso.org Official website] * BYSO on [https://www.facebook.com/BostonYouthSymphony Facebook] * BYSO on [https://www.instagram.com/bostonyouthsymphony/ Instagram] * BYSO on [https://www.linkedin.com/company/boston-youth-symphony-orchestras Linkedin] * BYSO on [https://www.youtube.com/user/BostonYouthSymphony Youtube] * BYSO on [https://soundcloud.com/boston-youth-symphony Soundcloud] * BYSO on [https://twitter.com/BostonYouthSym Twitter] ==References== <references/> {{DEFAULTSORT:Boston Youth Symphony Orchestras}} [[Category:Youth orchestras]] [[Category:Music organizations based in the United States]] [[Category:Musical groups established in 1958]] [[Category:Organizations based in Boston]]