The Boston Youth Symphony Orchestras' (BYSO) mission is to encourage artistic excellence in a nurturing environment by providing the highest quality orchestral training and performance opportunities to qualified musicians, grades K-12, while making its programs accessible to underrepresented youth through financial aid and outreach.  To achieve these goals, the BYSO offers a continuum of orchestral and ensemble training to hundreds of students, ages 6 to 18, with three full orchestras, a string orchestra, four chamber orchestras, a preparatory wind ensemble, a chamber music program and the Intensive Community Program, a rigorous string training program for underserved youth.  Each year, the BYSO auditions nearly 700 elementary and secondary students and accepts 400 musicians.  The BYSO prides itself on creating a community for young musicians, their families and the people that support their passion for music.

The BYSO offers over 15 performances in some of Boston's finest venues including Symphony Hall, Jordan Hall at New England Conservatory, Sanders Theatre at Harvard University and the Tsai Performance Center at Boston University.  The orchestras and chamber ensembles rehearse every Sunday from September through June at Boston University's College of Fine Arts, where the BYSO has been in residence since it was established in 1958.  The College of Fine Arts is a major sponsor of the BYSO.

Click on the links below to learn more about the BYSO's various ensembles and programs.

Boston Youth Symphony (BYSO's most advanced ensemble)

Repertory Orchestra (second-level, full symphonic orchestra)

Junior Repertory Orchestra (intermediate-level full symphonic orchestra)

Young People's String Orchestra (intermediate-level string orchestra)

Preparatory Wind Ensemble (training ensemble for young wind players)

Summer Camp (pre-season summer camp for BYS, Repertory and Junior Repertory Orchestras in Sidney, Maine)

International Tour (information about the Boston Youth Symphony's bi-annual international tours)

Chamber Music (BYSO members may opt to participate in chamber ensembles)

Intensive Community Program (BYSO's rigorous string instrument training program for underrepresented youth)

General Details (rehearsal times, fees, directions and more)