East Texas Youth Orchestra

Founded in 1955 by the Women’s Symphony League of Tyler as a violin ensemble for 5th and 6th graders, the East Texas Youth Orchestra (ETYO) has evolved significantly over the decades. Initially starting as small ensembles, it was reorganized into a string orchestra in 1975 and expanded into a full orchestra by 1979, then known as the Tyler Youth Orchestra (TYO). The organization further developed with the introduction of the Tyler Preparatory Orchestra in 1991 for beginning string musicians, and the Tyler Academic Orchestra in 2006 for intermediate musicians. Recognizing the need for a broader reach, the board rebranded the organization as ETYO in 2014, and in 2016, the ETYO Jazz Academy was established to extend its musical education programs. ETYO continues to serve the East Texas area by offering comprehensive musical training and enrichment across various orchestras under the leadership of distinguished conductors.