Seattle Youth Symphony Orchestra

08/18/2026

Finalists LOCKED IN. Meet the 2026 Concerto Competition finalists! 🥳

✨ INTERMEDIATE DIVISION
Felix Zhang, Piano
Olivia Kuypers, Cello
Samuel Kim, Violin

🔥 ADVANCED DIVISION
Eric Chan, Cello
Lucas Robshaw, Violin
Madelyn Huang, Violin
Nathaniel Kim, Cello
Timothy Yu, Violin

Now comes the big moment. 👀 Come cheer on these incredible musicians as they take the stage for the Concerto Competition Live Finals!

📅 Sunday, September 13
⏰ 2 pm
📍 Shorecrest High School
🎟️ FREE admission!

Bring your people, bring the hype, and get ready to hear some seriously impressive performances. 🩵 Grab your free tickets now: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/concerto-competition-finals-live-2026-tickets-1996350885238?aff=facebook

07/21/2026

Building community is at the heart of everything SYSO does. 💗 Thank you, Alice Chen, TeenTix Newsroom writer, for featuring SYSO in this fantastic piece in The Seattle Times about the incredible value of youth orchestra for young musicians.

Local youth orchestras offer valuable experiences for students to grow, explore and connect with their communities, student contributor Alice Chen writes.

07/02/2026

DEADLINES APPROACHING! 🚨 Applications are due in one week, on July 9, for SYSO's two award programs:
🎻 Concerto Competition: Compete for the opportunity to perform your concerto with a SYSO orchestra
🎼 Young Composers Award: New this season! Submit your original orchestral work for the opportunity to have it debuted by a SYSO ensemble.

Applications will be accepted through 11:59 pm PDT on Thursday, July 9. Following that time, no further applications will be accepted for these programs.

Get all the deets on both programs here: syso.org/participate/

06/10/2026

SYSO'S 2026-27 APPLICATIONS ARE OPEN! 💫 Join our vibrant community and take the first step towards an unforgettable year of music-making in our academic year programs:

🎼 Academic Year Orchestras (Prelude, Symphonette, Debut, Junior, & Youth)
🥁 Seattle Conservatory of Music
🎶 MY Southeast
🎵 Cadenza
🎻 Concerto Competition
✏️ Young Composers Award ✨NEW THIS SEASON!✨
✈️ SYSO on Tour: Japan 2027

Explore all of SYSO programs here: syso.org/participate/

06/06/2026

SYSO's heading back out on tour next summer, this time across the Pacific to JAPAN! 🇯🇵✈️

SYSO students and alumni are invited to join us for an unforgettable 10-day adventure filled with music, culture, and exploration in Tokyo, Kyoto, and Hamamatsu.

From performing abroad to experiencing some of Japan’s most iconic cities, this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity you won't want to miss. 🌏✨

Applications open June 10. 🔗 Learn more here: syso.org/programs/tour/

06/03/2026

Announcing a brand new annual award—the Young Composers Award! 💫

SYSO students and alumni up to the age of 26 are invited to submit original orchestral works for chamber ensemble, string orchestra, or full orchestra for the first-ever award as part of SYSO’s 2026-27 season. Award recipients will have their work performed by a SYSO ensemble during the 2026-2027 season. 🩵

Submissions open next week on June 10 and will close on July 9. This is a short entry window to submit your composition, so check the details on our website now to get ready! ⏳

More details, including the application guidelines, required submission materials, and judging criteria, are available on SYSO’s website here: syso.org/young-composers-award/

05/10/2026

Winston Chen, winner of SYSO's 2025 Concerto Competition, will be front and center at Benaroya Hall TODAY as featured violin soloist in Korngold's Violin Concerto in D Major with Youth Symphony Orchestra! 👏🎻

You don't want to miss a single note—the concert starts at 3 pm today, May 10! 🩵 Grab your tickets at the box office before the concert or online here: https://syso.org/concerts/

05/10/2026

Maia Nemes, winner of SYSO's 2025 Concerto Competition, will take the stage at Benaroya Hall TODAY to perform Liebermann's Flute Concerto as the featured soloist with Junior Symphony Orchestra! 🤩🎶

We hope to see you in the concert hall this afternoon at 3 pm. 🎟️ Tickets are available at the box office before the concert or online here: https://syso.org/concerts/

05/08/2026

See SYSO’s statement about recent allegations of historical misconduct: https://syso.org/2026/05/syso-leadership-response-to-historical-allegations/

05/02/2026

Chamber music season finale 🎻🔥 Celebrate Conservatory Chamber Music students as they take the stage for their final recitals of the year this Sunday, May 3! We’ve got TWO unique performances at 12 pm & 5 pm, each featuring around 10 standout chamber ensembles.

It’s a full day of music you won’t want to miss. 🎟️ FREE tickets: syso.org/concerts

📸 by Zachary Person from a Chamber Music recital last season!