Youth Symphony of Southern Oregon

Founded in 1988, the Youth Symphony of Southern Oregon (YSSO) organization offers training and performance opportunities for public, private and home school intermediate and advanced orchestra musicians. Typically, 135-45 or more musicians (ages 6-23) from throughout the region participate in the YSSO organization each year. The Youth Symphony of Southern Oregon organization marked its 30th Concer

t Season in 2017-2018. The Youth Symphony of Southern Oregon includes two full orchestras, Youth Symphony (advanced) and Youth Orchestra (intermediate). The two-orchestra structure offers performance levels for accomplished and aspiring orchestra musicians. Participation and placement in an ensemble is determined by an annual audition. Performances are presented in professional venues in Ashland, Medford and Grants Pass. Repertoire includes standard literature, commissioned and contemporary works, concerti, arrangements for preparatory ensemble, and chamber music. The musicians perform diverse and challenging repertoire including works by composers ranging from Beethoven, Prokofiev, Hovhaness, Mahler, Bruch, Tchaikovsky and Vaughan Williams to Villa-Lobos, Sibelius, Brahms, Khachaturian, Mozart, Mendelssohn, Beach, Jacobs, Bernstein and Higdon, among many others. The YSSO offers unique arts and educational resources, provides access to cultural opportunities, augments learning in schools, and enriches the cultural landscape of the region. The YSSO is nonprofit 501 (c)(3) organization guided by a volunteer governing board. Revenue is generated through annual gifts and contributions by individuals and businesses, foundation and agency grants, special events, ticket sales, nominal tuition, concert series partner (sponsor) funding and concert series program advertising. The professional staff includes a music director/conductor, executive director, an orchestra assistant, an executive assistant, and stage managers. Volunteer coordinators recruit and manage volunteers, and assist with events, rehearsals and concerts.