History of the Youth Symphony of Southern Oregon

The Youth Symphony of Southern Oregon was founded by music teachers and members of the Rogue Valley Symphony Orchestra in order to provide aspiring and accomplished young instrumental musicians with opportunities to learn and play standard repertoire, contemporary and commissioned music, concerti, masterworks, arrangements, film scores, musical theater and opera literature, orchestral/choral music, and chamber music. To date, the YSSO organization has presented works by more than 140 composers.

The Youth Symphony's first concert was held in Ashland on December 4, 1988. Conductors have included Clarence Shaw, Arthur Shaw, Fred Palmer, Sylvain Fremaux, Phillip Bayles, Leanna Sterios, Cynthia Hutton, Ellie Malzahn and Faina Podolnaya.

The YSSO organization initiated a Concerto Competition for advanced Youth Symphony musicians in 1990.  A Preparatory Orchestra for intermediate level musicians was formed in 1991. Cynthia Hutton, D.M.A., was named Music Director and Conductor of the Youth Symphony and the Preparatory Orchestra in 1995. That year, the season was expanded to include Concert Series performances in venues in Grants Pass, Medford and Ashland.  Dr. Hutton celebrates her thirtieth season with the YSSO in 2024-2025.

Youth Strings, a string ensemble for entry-level musicians, was formed in 1998.  The ensemble was led by YSSO Associate Conductor Ellie Malzahn. Faina Podolnaya derved as YSSO Associate Conductor and Conductor of Youth Strings from 2000-2001 to 2014-2015. 

A Chamber Music Series was initiated in 2004-2005. Executive Director Sharon Wilson joined the staff in 2005.

The Youth Symphony was invited to perform at the Hult Center for the Performing Arts in Eugene as part of the 2010 Oregon Music Educators Conference.

The 2017-2018 season marked the YSSO organization's 30th Anniversary Season. A new partnership with the Rogue Valley Youth Choruses, an alumni concert and other activities took place. The season also included a Youth Symphony & Youth Symphony Alumni Concert featuring several distinguished alumni soloists. 

The organization celebrated its Silver Jubilee Concert Season in 2012-2013. The 25th Anniversary Season included special events, mayoral proclamations and concerts, performances with guest artist violin virtuoso Gilles Apap, a gala performance by current and former members of the Youth Symphony, performances of masterworks and the premiere of The Orchard City: Medford, Oregon 1913 by Mark Eliot Jacobs. The work was commissioned by the YSSO organization in honor of the Silver Jubilee. Dr. Jacobs created a second orchestral suite which was premiered by the Youth Symphony during the 2014-2015 season. The work, Crater Lake Fantasy: Another Sky at Our Feet, celebrated the geography and heritage of southern Oregon and Oregon's only National Park.

The YSSO celebrated its 35th Anniversary Season in 2022-2023. The season included a third Youth Symphony & Youth Symphony Alumni Concert featuring distinguished guest alumni soloists. The organization also commissioned another new work by Mark Jacobs - The Emerald Moon - which premiered in 2024. The Youth Symphony also premiered another new work - Eclipse: Ex tenebris lux, "From Darkness Comes Light," by Ethan Gans-Morse - in 2024.

The organization includes Youth Symphony (advanced-level group) and Youth Orchestra (intermediate-level group). The ensembles include accomplished young string, woodwind, brass and percussion musicians from throughout the region. Although annual tuition is charged, it is the policy of the governng board that all qualified young musicians may participate in the YSSO. The YSSO organization offers tuition and lesson assistance to current YSSO musicians each year in order to help ensure inclusion in the YSSO, as well as access to training and music performance opportunities.

The YSSO organization is an integral part of the region’s vibrant cultural community. The Youth Symphony of Southern Oregon has collaborated with the Rogue Valley Youth Choruses, North Medford High School Choir and South Medford High School Choir. The YSSO has twice partnered with Brava! Opera Theater. Youth Symphony musicians have played in side-by-side performances with the Rogue Valley Symphony.  YSSO musicians take part in Chamber Music Concerts master classes, Oregon Shakespeare Festival productions, Britt Festivals programs and perform with numerous community groups and school ensembles. The YSSO works with public and private schools in Medford, Grants Pass and Ashland, as well as Southern Oregon University. The YSSO also has partnered with SOU and local school districts to offer a string teacher clinic. Youth Symphony musicians have been selected to play in the National Youth Symphony of the U.S.A.

The YSSO is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization. Revenue is generated through contributions and annual gifts from individuals and businesses, Concert Series program advertising, Concert Series Partner (sponsor) support, foundation and agency grants, nominal tuition, ticket sales and fund raising events.

The YSSO organization has one full-time and four part-time professional staff members. A volunteer governing board of community members guides the organization.  Volunteer coordinators help recruit, organize and manage volunteers throughout the year.

The office of the YSSO organization is located in Medford.