Colorado Youth Symphony Orchestras

Background Statement

The Colorado Youth Symphony Orchestra (CYSO) was founded in 1984 by a group of visionary musicians and parents. With financial assistance and donated space from the University of Denver. two orchestras began rehearsing in the fall of 1984. At that time Denver was experiencing its initial decline in support for public school music programs. Programs were cut or eliminated entirely, leaving a void for youth musicians. CYSO was created to address this need, and evolved a strong philosophy of support for public school music education. The CYSO now has three orchestras (Philharmonia, Sinfonia, and Symphony Orchestra) and a Wind Ensemble in the Core Ensembles Program.

Since 2000, CYSO has also offered educational outreach programs in Denver and Aurora. These programs take place in Title 1 schools, providing financially challenged youth with the opportunity to study music and participate in an orchestral environment. Last year, the program was finally given a name - Mile High Strings - and has received a high level of community support and recognition.

CYSO enjoys strong collaborative relationships with the Colorado Symphony Orchestra (CSO) and the local professional musician community. Our students (from both the Core Ensembles and Mile High Strings Programs) study with CSO players. "This unique youth orchestra is one of the best in the nation." (Claude Sim, CSO Assistant Concertmaster). Other notable area musicians are aware of and support CYSO. "CYSO encourages kids to develop their talents and sense of identity. Indeed, for many children, music becomes a liberating mode of self expression where words fail." (Edward Dusinberre, First Violinist, Takács Quartet) And Congressman Jared Polis says in a letter to CYSO, "Beyond the obvious benefits to participants, the trans-socioeconomic interaction and the building of community makes CYSO essential."

Since the inception of the organization, we have included a strong emphasis on the benefits of musical participation, such as social and emotional growth of youth. CYSO views our ensembles as a tool of diversity, including youth of all social, ethnic, racial, and financial circumstances. Community springs from this emphasis on inclusion, as families come together to support the youth musicians. Music becomes a vehicle for developing and fostering respect and appreciation for other cultures and for one another.