Draft:Greater Miami Youth Symphony

Organized by Ceasar Lamonaca in 1945-1946, this musical group has been the origin of a musical education for hundreds of new musicians.

The group performed only summer concerts for its first 10 years. By 1955 there were over 80 musicians in the group. At the same time a number of other groups came into existence. In the 1950's Lamonaca moved on to other endeavors. Dr Charles Campbell transitioned the group to performing holiday and year-round concerts

In 1958 composer and pianist Robert Strassburg formed the Youth Symphony of Coral Gables to provide practice and the study of classical repertoire. It was renamed the All Miami Youth Symphony and eventually the Greater Miami Youth Symphony.

By 1959 Strassburg had over 70 musicians and weekly rehearsals. Strassburg left to become dean at a university but the organization continued to grow and thrive.

In 1966 the Greater Miami Youth Symphony had grown into the area's preeminent academy for classical music. Led by Dr. Lucas Drew and with conductors including Dr. Frederick Fennell and Dr. Phillip Fink, the GMYS was adopted as the pre-collegiate music academy for the University of Miami. The GMYS now has several chamber ensembles, and six preparatory orchestral instrument programs at different locations in South Miami-Dade County.

Distinguished alumni

 * Navah Perlman
 * Sharon Aguilar
 * Ceasar Lamonaca Jr.