Boston Youth Symphony Orchestras

Founded in 1958 as a program of Boston University's School of Fine Arts and incorporated in 1983 as a separate nonprofit organization, BYSO offers professional-level training and performance opportunities to young artists from across New England; the most senior of its four youth orchestras tours internationally every two years.  The Intensive Community Program (ICP), which was added in 1998, provides training on stringed instruments primarily to young African American and Latino students, to prepare them for joining one of the orchestras.  ICP currently serves 48 students and each year accepts 16 new students to participate in a two-week, full-day camp during the summer, receive 90 minutes of small group or individual instruction each week, and take part in a weekly two-hour program-wide rehearsal.

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Media Coverage A Youth Symphony Orchestra Turns 50, With Help from Yo-Yo Ma By Jeremy Eichler, Boston Globe May 21, 2008 Bostonist Q&A: Hillary Ditmars, Boston Youth Symphony By Victoria Welch, Bostonist January 19, 2008 JP Morgan Donates $100,000 to Boston Youth Symphony Orchestras Business Wire October 1, 2007 At Age 50, Orchestra Expands Its Overtures By Rich Fahey, Boston Globe September 30, 2007 Music Lessons Boost Your Child's Brainpower By Sari N. Harrar, The Ledger March 5, 2007