Young musicians seeking a connection with peers who share their love of making music and broadening their musical horizons are invited to join The Georgia Youth Symphony Orchestras (GYSO).
Established in 2006 as part of the Georgia Symphony Orchestra, GYSO is among the largest youth orchestra programs in the Southeast, serving students from 17 metro counties in elementary through high school. Through five orchestras (beginner through advanced) and seven instrumental chamber ensembles, including jazz and percussion, GYSO provides a place for everyone.
Cellist Antonia Patel is a member of GYSO’s Camerata orchestra who joined GYSO three years ago. She has advanced to a higher-level ensemble each school year since, all while making new friends with shared interests from different schools. “I love the challenge of playing harder and harder music and seeing my friends each week,” she said.
Older-brother Aidan Patel is a violinist in GYSO’s Philharmonic orchestra who first auditioned for GYSO five years ago. “We had just moved to the East Cobb area and I felt GYSO would provide an opportunity to play as part of an orchestra and help me make new friends, too,” said Aidan. Like his sister, he, too, has advanced to playing in a higher-tier orchestra each school year.
Violinist Zehari Williams is a two-year member of GYSO’s Philharmonic orchestra and Strings Symposium. “I wanted to audition for GYSO so I could play higher-level music with band and other instruments in a symphonic setting. It’s been a wonderful experience and I’m honored to be in GYSO,” she said.
Will Weaver has been a violist and violinist with GYSO for the past six years. He currently is a member of the GYSO’s most-advanced Symphony orchestra, as well as its Honors String Quartet and Honors String Symposium. “One thing I’ve really enjoyed about GYSO is how many different ensembles there are, so you have opportunities to focus on things that might not be offered in school orchestral programs, like chamber music,” he said. A high-school senior, Weaver plans to attend college next year as a music major and credits his GYSO experiences as being influential in receiving several scholarship offers.
What sets GYSO apart is its dedication to providing a nurturing and supportive environment for young musicians to develop their skills and perform at the highest level. Led by professionals in their fields, each ensemble works tirelessly to prepare for performances throughout the year, giving students a comprehensive music experience that fosters excellence on both an individual and collective level.
Auditions for the fall 2024 season begin April 15. For more information about the GYSO program, audition process or need-based scholarships, visit georgiayouthsymphony.org.
