The Boston Youth Symphony (BYS) is BYSO most advanced ensemble.  It is comprised of approximately 100 outstanding players whose technical level is highly advanced and who show strong musicianship. The group performs a wide range of demanding orchestral repertoire, and is conducted by Music Director Federico Cortese and by Assistant Conductor Mark Miller.  The  Boston Youth Symphony performs at world class venues including Symphony Hall, Sanders Theatre at Harvard University, Jordan Hall at New England Conservatory and the Church of the Covenant in Boston. The ensemble has collaborated with the Tanglewood Festival Chorus, Chorus pro Musica, soloists from the Boston University Opera Institute and other guest artists.

The Boston Youth Symphony begins its season preparing new music at the BYSO Summer Camp, which takes place at New England Music Camp (NEMC) in Sidney, Maine.  For two weeks members of the Boston Youth Symphony combine musical instruction, making new friends and enjoying NEMC's beautiful campus. 

Additionally during the season, all members of the Boston Youth Symphony participate in one of two chamber orchestras, Boston Youth Symphony Sinfonietta or Boston Youth Symphony Camerata, in which they explore music of the classical period, including great works by Haydn, Mozart and Beethoven.  By studying such repertoire as part of these chamber orchestras, Boston Youth Symphony members develop specific techniques of ensemble playing and musical phrasing to a degree they may not otherwise experience within the larger orchestra.

Every other year the Boston Youth Symphony embarks on an international tour.  These professionally managed tours provide students with first-rate performing opportunities abroad as well as cultural sightseeing excursions and activities. In 2008, the talented students performed in Germany and Czech Republic, including a performance at the Gewandhaus in Leipzig as part of that esteemed concert hall's international youth concert series. BYS toured the UK in Summer 2010.