Musicians and Parents

The Youth Symphony of Southern Oregon organization will offer both Youth Symphony (advanced) and Youth Orchestra (intermediate) for the 2024-2025 season.

Youth Symphony

Youth Symphony musicianYouth Symphony, the YSSO organization's advanced level full orchestra currently under the direction of Music Director & Conductor Dr. Cynthia Hutton, includes accomplished high school and college string, wind, and percussion musicians from southern Oregon and northern California. The Youth Symphony performs standard literature, masterworks, new music and concerti by composers such as Villa Lobos, Beach, Higdon, Mahler, Vieuxtemps, Hovhaness, Copland, Beethoven, Holst, Dvorak, Brahms, Prokofiev, Hummel, Barber, Strauss, Sibelius, Bruch, Mendelssohn, Tchaikovsky, Williams, Mozart, and others. The Youth Symphony has also premiered works for orchestra commissioned by the YSSO. The Silver Jubilee Concert Season featured a new work by Mark Jacobs. The Orchard City: Medford, Oregon 1913, was commissioned in honor of the 25th Anniversary Concert Season and dedicated to the YSSO. A second suite by Dr. Jacobs, Crater Lake Fantasy: Another Sky at Our Feet, was commissioned by the YSSO organization and premiered by the Youth Symphony in 2015. The organization commissioned another new work in celebration of the 35th Anniversary Season in 2022-2023. The Emerald Moon, also by Mark Jacobs, premiered in May 2024. The Youth Symphony helped develop a new work in collaboration with composer Ethan Gans-Morris, Eclipse: Ex tenebris lux "From Darkness Comes Light," which premiered in March 2024.

Each year, eligible advanced musicians in Youth Symphony may participate in the YSSO organization's Concerto Competition and compete for an opportunity to perform as soloists with the Youth Symphony.

The full ensemble rehearses each Sunday afternoon and musicians participate in additional sectional rehearsals led by professional musicians. An evening rehearsal is held prior to each Concert Series. The musicians in the YSSO organization’s premiere ensemble demonstrate advanced technical, interpretive and performance skills, as well as exceptional teamwork, focus, and discipline. The Youth Symphony performs in professional venues and it is featured in all Concert Series performances. Participation and placement is by annual audition.

Youth Orchestra

Youth Orchestra musiciansYouth Orchestra, formerly the YSSO Preparatory Orchestra, includes young, developing intermediate-level string, wind, and percussion musicians. The ensemble is composed primarily of middle school students from throughout the region. Youth Orchestra performs arrangements of works by a variety of composers including Dvorak, Wagner, Brahms, Beethoven, Saint-Saëns, Offenbach, Gliére, Strauss, and Suppé, among others. Participation in Youth Orchestra offers opportunities to learn rehearsal techniques and performance practices. The full ensemble rehearses on Sunday afternoon and its musicians participate in mini master classes or sectional rehearsals led by professional musicians. An evening rehearsal is held prior to each Concert Series. Youth Orchestra performs in professional venues and participates in Concert Series performances. The Youth Orchestra is under the guidance of Dr. Cynthia Hutton, Music Director & Conductor. Participation and placement is by annual audition.