South Bend Youth Symphony Orchestras

08/12/2026

Audition for our 2026-27, now through September 1. https://sbyso.org/join
Questions? Email [email protected].

Join SBYSO How to Join Would you like to audition to join...

07/14/2026

Join our 2026-27 season, featuring first movement of Mahler Symphony No. 2, Lord of the Rings Symphony, John Williams Clarinet Concerto featuring Chicago Symphony's John Bruce Yeh, and more. Learn more at https://sbyso.org/join. Early decision deadline: August 1. Regular deadline: September 1 (if spots remain). Questions? Email [email protected] or text 574-302-5900. Our season begins September 13.

The South Bend Youth Symphony Orchestras were founded in 1968 in partnership with Indiana University

06/30/2026

As our 2025-26 season comes to close, we'd like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who made it possible. 

Our season highlights included Midori's Orchestra Residencies Program, a five-day program in which Midori worked with our SBYSO students and soloed with both our Symphony and Concert Orchestras; Dvorak Cello Concerto with SBYSO alum and Indianapolis Symphony Principal Cellist Austin Huntington; World Premiere of The Music of Bon Jovi featuring at the DeBartolo Performing Arts Center; World Premiere performance of episodes 1 & 2 of John Adams featuring Rob Lane's rich orchestral score; and more. These milestones celebrate the lasting impact made by our supporters and our community.

Thank you to everyone who helped to make it possible--our generous season sponsors, Yatish & Joan Joshi and Indiana Trust Wealth Management ; the Community Foundation of St. Joseph County, Indiana for the Arts Eveywhere Major Venture Grant that helped to make our May concert possible, and the Arts Everywhere Program Support and South Bend Symphony Orchestra for supporting our sectional program. Thank you to the Indiana Arts Commission for their support as well. Thank you to Indiana University South Bend, to the Howard Performing Arts Center at Andrews University, Sauder Concert Hall Sauder Music Hall at , DeBartolo Performing Arts Center, Saint Mary's College, Notre Dame, IN, and Penn High School Penn Harris Madison Schools for sharing your beautiful venues with us.

We also thank all concert sponsors; parents, coaches, teachers, and of course our students. We thank our Board of Directors for their tireless support, as well.

Of course, I'd like to also thank you to our Music Director / Symphony Orchestra conductor, Dr. Robert Boardman and Concert Orchestra conductor, Zac Coudret, for all they do to inspire our students and community.

There are just a few hours left in our current fiscal year. As this season ends and a new one begins, would you please consider supporting SBYSO with a gift of $20.26 today?

https://sbyso.org/support/

(SBYSO is a 501c3 nonprofit organization.)

We are excited for our upcoming season - learn more on our website, https://sbyso.org. If you'd like to audition for one of our ensembles, visit https://sbyso.org/join.

Thank you for your support of SBYSO and the young musicians in our community.

With gratitude,
Diane Economakis
SBYSO Executive Director

06/16/2026

Be part of music history with us! 🎬🎻

Join SBYSO Summer Camp students for the second and final world premiere performance in The Sounds of a New Nation.

Continuing the story from Thursday's concert, students will perform Rob Lane's score to HBO's John Adams live while Episode Two is projected on screen, creating a one-of-a-kind film concert experience. Together, these performances mark the world premiere of the music in a live film-concert setting. ✨

📅 Friday, June 19th @ 5:00 PM
📍 O'Laughlin Auditorium, Saint Mary's College
🎟️ Free & open to the public

Don't miss the exciting conclusion to this unique musical journey through America's founding era. We hope to see you there! 🇺🇸🎶

SBYSO thanks Yatish and Joan Joshi and Indiana Trust Wealth Management for their generous support as our 2025-26 season sponsors.

Interested in joining SBYSO? Auditions for the 2026-27 season are coming soon! For more information, email [email protected] or text 574-302-5900.

06/12/2026

Travel back in time with us! 🎻

Join David & Ginger Hildebrand for The Sounds of a New Nation, a fascinating lecture-recital exploring the music of Revolutionary America through authentic instruments, stories, and live performance.

📅 June 15th, 2026
🎤 Lecture: 2:45–3:45 PM
🎵 Performance: 4:00–5:00 PM
📍 Little Theatre, Moreau Center for the Arts at Saint Mary's College
✨ Free & open to the public

A special event presented as part of SBYSO's Summer Orchestra Camp. We hope to see you there! 🇺🇸🎶

GO BEYOND ORDINARY WHY JOIN SBYSO? Events World-Class Instruction and Performances. Learn...

04/30/2026

Come see the WORLD PREMIERE of "The Music of Bon Jovi" 🎸🎻

Check out The South Bend Youth Symphony Orchestras take on the iconic music of Bon Jovi in a world premiere symphonic rock experience! Featuring international vocalist MiG Ayesa and a full band live on stage!

Bon Jovi fans do NOT want to miss this!

Music Director Dr. Robert Boardman (the doctor of rock!) even stopped by WNDU to talk about the concert and what audiences can expect, check out his interview in this video!

📍 May 3 at 4pm | DeBartolo Performing Arts Center

🎟 Don’t miss it! Tickets here: https://performingarts.nd.edu/event/19361/sbyso-the-music-of-bon-jovi-with-windborne-music/

04/24/2026

🎸 Join us for "The Music of Bon Jovi" — a world premiere rock symphony experience 🔥

The South Bend Youth Symphony Orchestra is taking on the legendary hits of Bon Jovi like you’ve never heard them before — joined by Windborne Music and international rock vocalist MiG Ayesa for a full-scale, high-energy production where orchestra and band share the spotlight!

🎶 This is NOT your typical show. It’s a powerful symphonic rock collaboration, performed live at the DeBartolo Performing Arts Center — and SBYSO is the first orchestra ever to bring this show to life on stage!

🎤 Hear MiG break it down in this video — then grab your tickets and be part of something unforgettable.

Tickets Here: https://shorturl.at/OJin4

📅 May 3

🎟️ Tickets are going fast!

Don’t miss the night where rock meets orchestra… and history gets made. ⚡