Metropolitan Youth Symphony educates, develops and promotes young musicians

Now in its 50th anniversary season, Metropolitan Youth Symphony celebrates its mission to educate, develop, and promote young musicians (6-18 years old) at all musical levels and from all backgrounds. With some of nation’s most comprehensive programming, MYS serves 400+ students from 142 schools in 15 orchestra, winds, jazz, strings, and percussion ensembles. MYS conductors are exceptional artists and educators, with instrumental coaches from the area’s top music organizations, including the Oregon Symphony. MYS provides a multi-level music theory program where composition is integrated at the earliest levels, as well as a summer chamber music program with faculty from the Oregon Symphony and Grammy-nominated Boston-based chamber orchestra, A Far Cry.

Access and inclusion are core values for the organization. MYS provides free string lessons for underserved children, tuition assistance for students enrolled in its ensemble program, loaner instruments, small group coaching across its ensembles, and free in-school concerts at low-income schools that reach over 5,000 children each season. With foundational commitments to excellence and access, MYS ensembles reflect diverse backgrounds while fostering a tight-knit community through mentoring, peer support, and the joy of playing and performing music.

Contact programs@playmys.org with questions.

Read more about the MYS Downtown and Community Concerts on the event pages listed below.