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York Youth Symphony Orchestra
The York Youth Symphony Orchestra is a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping talented high school age musicians in the Greater York Area enhance their musical experience by providing an environment where they can practice and perform at the very highest level.

Established in 1957, the YYSO has continued to attract the very finest young musicians in the South Central Pennsylvania region. The orchestra is comprised of about 74 musicians, from grades 9 through 12, representing twenty school districts and home schooled students, mostly from York and Adams Counties.

History
The York Youth Symphony has added a sparkling dimension to York’s cultural scene ever since its first concert in the spring of 1957. A. Reginald Fink, its first conductor, was followed by Holman James, George Waldman, James Christian Pfohl, Madilyn Klepper, Catherine Overhauser, Robert Hart Baker and Wayne Allen Romer – all with the special talent for eliciting the best performances from their young musicians.

With the retirement of Mr. Romer in 2007, we started our 51st season with a new conductor. Mr. Gregory Woodbridge, with his superb Penn State training, brought his expertise in violin, piano and conducting to the York Youth Symphony Orchestra with the promise to continue the excellence that has always been associated with this outstanding organization.

Just as each previous conductor has brought new challenges and achievements to the orchestra (Dr. Baker and the Heinz Hall concert and the Carnegie Hall performance; Wayne Romer with his visionary and highly successful collaborative concerts), we look forward to new traditions and old friends.

The orchestra – a charter member of the Cultural Alliance of York – is governed by a Board of Directors composed of music educators, parents of orchestra members and interested members of the community. They arrange the concerts, organize fund-raising events, and provide service and support as needed to keep this successful organization running smoothly.

By 1971 there were so many young musicians seeking a place in a youth symphony orchestra that a York Junior Symphony was formed for students from grades five through eight. The York Youth Symphony is comprised of about 70-75 musicians from grades nine through twelve. They represent twenty school districts and home schooled students from The Greater York Area and surrounding counties.

Auditions are held in September. Anyone desiring to become a member of the orchestra, including all current members, must audition each year. Rehearsals are held on Saturday mornings from September through April. Three public concerts are presented each year. In addition, two educational concerts are presented in elementary or middle schools in or around York County, thus introducing hundreds of children to great symphonic music. A concerto competition is held each fall and the orchestra member who is awarded first place performs their selection with the orchestra in the spring concert.

Today many York Youth Symphony alumni are pursing a variety of musical careers in conducting, composing, performing on all levels, and especially, educating the next generations of musicians and aficionados. One highlight of our 50th anniversary was the performance of “Jubilee”, a board commissioned piece, composed and orchestrated by Chris Massa, a YYSO alumni.

Having celebrated our 50th anniversary, we are proud to have reached this important milestone. Looking ahead to the celebration of our 100th Anniversary, we are planning now to ensure that our organization will endure and prosper. Our goal remains the same— to increase opportunities for young, talented, orchestral musicians in the Greater York Area to develop their skills and perform for live audiences through participation in an exceptional orchestral experience. The York Youth Symphony Orchestra has been, and will continue to be, that exceptional experience.

Some of the critical components to the continuing success of the York Youth Symphony Orchestra are: enhancing the dedication and effectiveness of our Board, strengthening the commitment of our members, increasing our revenues, maintaining and growing our endowment fund, expanding the awareness of the YYSO in our region through cooperation and collaborative efforts of the Cultural Alliance and its members.