April 1, 2019
CONTACT: Susan Stensland
Georgia Symphony Orchestra
770.429.2390
sstensland@georgiasymphony.org
MARIETTA - The Georgia Youth Symphony Orchestra (GYSO) is poised to offer additional opportunities for gifted and talented young musicians, as it expands its program for the 2019-2020 school year.
The largest youth orchestra program in the Southeast, GYSO is part of the nonprofit, Marietta-based Georgia Symphony Orchestra and serves elementary through high school age musicians from 17 metro counties.
“The GYSO mission is one of inclusiveness, providing a diversity of opportunities to a wide range of ages and performance levels,” said Nathaniel Parker, DMA, associate conductor of the GSO and music director and conductor of the GYSO Symphony.
Founded in 2006, GYSO selects its members through a competitive audition process. As GYSO members, young men and women continue their musical development in a nurturing and supportive environment, while being expected to perform at the highest level during a full series of concerts.
For the fall 2019 season, GYSO will expand from four to five orchestras, adding one geared toward younger elementary and middle school students. It also will add a string-only chamber ensemble and a flute choir, while realigning current string and brass quartets as honors-level ensembles. The GYSO Jazz Ensemble and GYSO Percussion Ensemble, as well as the GSO Youth Chorus, will continue.
Sarah Harding, the principal French hornist in the GYSO Symphony and a West Forsyth High School sophomore, credits her GYSO membership in helping her land college scholarship offers. In 2018, GYSO graduating seniors received more than $300,000 in college scholarship offers and had a 99-percent college acceptance rate.
“I’ve learned so much through my GYSO experience,” said Harding. “It is a great opportunity to play with experienced musicians who are serious about music.”
Auditions are now in progress for the fall 2019 season. For more information, visit georgiayouthsymphony.org.
Photos available at https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1JF_W1yuaLsFHWIEgIdNTvzu3Tx9wXkxO?usp=sharing
The Georgia Symphony Orchestra was founded in 1951, and brings music to over 15,000 people annually. Its mission is to enrich our community through accessible, high quality musical and educational experiences that instill a lifelong appreciation for the arts. The GSO organization includes the Georgia Symphony Orchestra, GSO Chorus, GSO Jazz! and the Georgia Youth Symphony Orchestra. For more information, visit georgiasymphony.org/