Boston Youth Symphony
The Boston Youth Symphony (BYS) is BYSO most advanced ensemble. It is comprised of approximately 120 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. The Boston Youth Symphony performs at world class venues including Symphony Hall, Sanders Theatre at Harvard University, Jordan Hall at New England Conservatory. The ensemble has collaborated with the Tanglewood Festival Chorus, Chorus pro Musica, Back Bay Chorale, soloists from the Boston University Opera Institute, Mark O'Connor, Yo-Yo Ma 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.
The Boston Youth Symphony is the only youth orchestra in America to present a semi-staged opera performance. For the past five years, Music Director Federico Cortese conducted the Boston Youth Symphony Chamber Orchestras at Sanders Theatre at Harvard Universty in the following SOLD OUT performances: 2008: Mozart, Così fan tutte; 2009: Mozart, Le nozze di Figaro; 2010: Mozart, Don Giovanni; 2011: Verdi, Macbeth; 2012: Falstaff.
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. BYS toured the Austria and Hungary in the summer of 2012 and performed in Salzburg, Vienna and Budapest.
Click here for schedule and tuition information for the Boston Youth Symphony
Click here for audition information
Click here for BYS upcoming concerts
Click here to hear from a BYS player
Boston Youth Symphony conducted by Federico Cortese performing at Symphony Hall, October 2009
- Photo by Michael J. Lutch -